Greene Central linemen Craig Whitley, Austin Hagans sign to continue football careers
Greene Central linemen Craig Whitley, Austin Hagans sign to continue football careers
Two Greene Central standouts are taking the next step in their football journeys as Craig Whitley and Austin Hagans officially signed to play at the collegiate level during a ceremony hosted by Rams head coach Jay Wilson.
Whitley, a 6-foot-2, 250-pound offensive lineman, signed with Barton College after serving as a cornerstone of Greene Central’s offensive line over the past several seasons. Hagans, a 6-foot, 220-pound defensive standout, will continue his career at Brevard College following a productive senior year.
Wilson opened the ceremony by highlighting the significance of the moment for both players and the program.
“We're here probably always one of my most favorite days of the entire school year is when we get to honor our athletes and their next step in their career and their phase of life,” Wilson said.
The two players share a long history together on the field.
“They've been playing ball together since rec league,” Wilson said. “They've been playing ball together all through middle school, all four years of high school.”
Wilson first spoke about Hagans, praising the work he put into earning the opportunity to play at the next level.
“One of the greatest things I can say about Austin is that he controlled his destiny with this,” Wilson said. “He was the one that was on Twitter DMing coaches. He was the one that anytime I said, ‘Oh, a camp here or a camp there,’ he never missed. He always made it.”
Wilson also noted that Hagans’ journey showed steady growth throughout his high school career.
“Austin was a late bloomer,” Wilson said. “He didn't come over with all the accolades from eighth grade and all that kind of stuff, but every year he continued to work. Every year he continued to get better.”
Hagans capped his senior season with 57 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, along with four sacks and 10 quarterback hurries.
Wilson then turned his attention to Whitley, whose leadership and consistency made him a key presence in the Rams’ program.
“From day one, the biggest thing I can say about Craig is he's a leader,” Wilson said. “There's never been a moment where I've had to question or doubt his leadership or his love for this game.”
Wilson said Whitley’s passion for the game is what set him apart.
“You can have all the ability in the world. You can have all the skill in the world,” Wilson said. “But if you don't have the love for the game and the love for the training and the love for the hard work and the love for the hard days, then you never get to sit here.”
For Whitley, whose position rarely produces headline statistics, his value to Greene Central was evident in the trenches where he helped anchor the Rams’ offensive line for the past three to four seasons.
Wilson said both players exemplified the qualities necessary to succeed beyond high school.
“The two things that separate a high school athlete and a college athlete or a high school athlete who has an opportunity to go play in college — one is the hard work and the dedication they put into the grind,” Wilson said. “And the second thing is their academics.”
Both Whitley and Hagans earned opportunities that include both athletic and academic support.
“Both of these young men will not only be receiving athletic money, but they'll be receiving academic money,” Wilson said.
Wilson expressed confidence in their futures at the collegiate level.
“I have no doubt that in four years, maybe five, they're going to graduate from college with four years of playing ball, with a cool degree, with a great GPA,” Wilson said. “And they're going to put themselves in a position to be successful on the next level.”
For Greene Central, the signings reflect the continued development of players who have grown together on the field and now take the next step in their football careers.
