Augusta-area football players make college decisions official

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It's signing day for the Class of 2025's senior football players. Signing on the dotted line as been a dream many players have had since they were kids. Now, a select group of Augusta's top talent will be headed off to play at the next level for the next four years.

Aquinas wide receiver Jack Rhodes is committed to the University of Virginia. The three-star prospect according to 247Sports had offers from Air Force, Navy and Dartmouth among others. In his senior season, the 6-foot-2, 180 pound receiver had 1,054 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. He also split time at quarterback with the starter out due to injury. As quarterback, Rhodes filled in admirably, throwing for 899 yards and nine touchdowns.

Rhodes had committed to Navy initially before flipping to Virginia over the summer. He also kept his recruitment open beyond that, going on visits to the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. But in the end, he felt like the Cavaliers would be a good fit for him going forward.

"Obviously team success is a big deal," Rhodes said, "and then just a constant contact with the coaches up there. They made me feel like they want me, that played a big part. And I just love everything about it up there."

Malcolm Gaston, an offensive lineman at North Augusta High School, signed with Liberty University. The three-star commit is the 23rd ranked prospect in the state of South Carolina. Gaston, a 6-foot-5, 345 pound lineman, chose Liberty over programs such as Georgia, Florida and Virginia Tech.

"In my mind, I said I could play wherever I want," Gaston said. "But in my heart, I want to feel at home. So even if I'm in Lynchburg, Virginia, I still got South Carolina folks around me, and that was a real thing."

Thomson cornerback Kennedi Bailey will also be headed to Liberty University. The 6-foot-3, 165 pound defensive back is a three-star commit. He decided to become a Flame over other schools such as Arkansas, Charlotte and Cincinnati. In his senior season, Bailey had 24 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and two interceptions.

Jayden Thomas, also from Thomson, is headed to Appalachian State. The offensive lineman is a three-star commit who played a year of JUCO at Georgia Military College. Other offers for the 6-foot-4, 305 pound lineman included Charlotte, FIU, and Gardner-Webb.

Liam Thompson, an offensive lineman from Harlem High School, will be headed to Georgia Southern. The 6-foot-4, 280 pound senior chose the Eagles over Akron and Georgia State.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta-area football players sign to play college football

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