THOMASVILLE – National Signing Day was an emotional day for Thomasville head football coach Jonathan DeLay and his three seniors who signed letters-of-intent.

The Thomasville Bulldog football family celebrated Messiah Wilson (Point University), Tyler Ivey (Albany State) and Geremiah Humbert (Shorter University) on Wednesday in front of a packed gymnasium. All signed and will play football at the collegiate level.

“It’s a huge day for these kids. That’s what we’re trying to get them to do, to learn how to be good young men and get them on to the next level. They’re going to use their football abilities to go and get a college education,” DeLay said. “That’s one of the most important things, that they go and learn how to do something. At some point football is going to end. Whether it’s now or 20 years from now, they’ve got to have something to fall back on.

“You saw when they got up to talk, they got emotional. It’s important to them.”

Wilson possessed excellent speed in playing receiver and returner. He was also the backup quarterback. As great of a player he was on the field, though, he was just as impactful off the field.

“The thing I’m going to miss most about him is his interaction with my personal kids. He’s like their big brother,” DeLay said. “I’ll miss that a lot.”

Humbert was a smart Bulldog on the field and in the classroom. The talented defensive end possesses a long wingspan that makes him a handful to contain on the offensive line.

“He’s very good in the pass rush game,” DeLay said. “He got really physical these last two years and really turned his game on.”

Ivey, son of former Thomasville Bulldog Antonio Ivey, transferred to the Bulldogs last March. He played linebacker and also was the long snapper.

“He was a great addition to our team. He had been in Thomasville as a kid, so most of the kids knew him. He’s just a guy that embodied what Thomasville football is,” DeLay said.

In attendance for Wednesday’s signing day was the entire Thomasville football team. It allowed the Bulldogs underclassmen to witness college signings with the hope they could be in that position some day.

“You want your whole team here because it’s a whole team thing. Football is the ultimate team sport,” DeLay said. “Having everybody here is great. We’ve got some more guys where we’re going to do this again before spring break. We’ve got some other guys waiting on some things and making some decisions. It’s exciting. This is the day we’ve been looking forward to.”