By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

For three prep standouts in Troup County, it’s not time to put the shoulder pads away quite yet.

Troup High’s DeMarkis Rosser and Quay McQueen, and LaGrange High’s Kobina Essandoh, have each signed a letter of intent to play football at North Greenville University in Tigertown, S.C.

The three players are a part of new head coach Jamey Chadwell’s first recruiting class.

Rosser is an offensive lineman, McQueen is a defensive back, and Essandoh is a defensive lineman.

Troup High defensive coordinator George Brewer took Rosser, McQueen and Essandoh, along with a couple of players from Lanett, to Greenville for the recruiting visit.

“We got there, and we talked to the coaches, and they briefed us on what the school is about,” Essandoh said. “They answered all our questions.”

Essandoh said the players were impressed with the school, and the feeling was obviously reciprocal since they each were offered athletic scholarships by the NCAA Division II program.

“It was very open arms when we arrived,” Essandoh said. “It was comfortable.”

North Greenville is getting three outstanding prep players.

Rosser is a 300-pound offensive lineman with tremendous athletic ability as he showed by qualifying for the state meet in wrestling.

McQueen was an all-county player at defensive back, and Essandoh had nearly 80 tackles, including seven for a loss.

Although Essandoh went to a different high school, he said he, McQueen and Rosser are hardly strangers.

“Me and Quay, we’re cousins, and I grew up playing with DeMarkis at Long Cane (Middle School),” Essandoh said. “It’s very exciting to go up there with them.”

Essandoh said he appreciated the help Brewer gave him.

“The fact that I’m not one of his players, and that he stuck his hand out to help me out in that situation, I appreciate that a lot,” Essandoh said.

Added Brewer: “It doesn’t matter. Kids are kids. We try to help them all if we can.”