Tift's Tristan Boone signs with Benedict College

Apr. 14—TIFTON — Tift County High's Tristan Boone has formally committed to playing football at the next level, signing April 9 with Benedict College.

Tift football assistant coach J.C. Clark said he didn't know what the future held for Boone's life, "But it's going to be big."

Benedict, located in Columbia, South Carolina, is an HBCU — Historically Black Colleges and Universities — playing in Division II's SIAC. Football has been strong for the Tigers in recent seasons and they are coming off back-to-back SIAC championships.

Though Boone's high school athletics career initially started on the wrong foot, Clark praised his work ethic to get to this point. "He started seeing he had more potential," said Clark, who prayed with and for Boone.

Boone was one of Tift's best receivers in 2023 and had a touchdown catch against Lee County in 2022. In basketball, he averaged five points per game as a senior, with a high of 14 in the McDonald's Invitational against Lanier County.

Tommy Blackshear, Boone's head coach in basketball, congratulated Boone's parents.

"To become a college athlete of any sorts," said Blackshear, "is extremely difficult. I want to welcome him into the fraternity of being a college athlete." He said he hopes Boone learns resilience at Benedict, mentioning that essentially Boone is starting over by being a freshman at college.

"I will be following you, pulling for you," said Blackshear.

Boone won't be alone at Benedict. A handful of Blue Devils have also committed to play for the Tigers.