MADISON- National Signing Day at Bob Jones is when players reap the rewards for success on the football field and this year is no exception. Seven players signed Wednesday. Six were honored at a ceremony. Miles Strickland signed with Tulane but could not attend due to a death in the family.

Head Coach Kevin Rose said the group was a success on and off the field.

“This group has grown as young men. They took leadership roles on this team and they are ready to go out into society.”

“I congratulate each one of them,” Rose said. “They have been outstanding student athletes, good people, fun to coach, and contributed to a very good football team. Each one had to qualify academically for college by scoring high on their ACT and maintaining GPA.”

Defensive end Demarcus Clark signed with Chattanooga turning down offers from Southern Miss and Jacksonville State among others.

“Their defensive scheme fit me and I like that it is close. They had my major (environmental science) and they had good facilities and they are going to feed me a lot,” Clark said. Chattanooga is on Alabama’s schedule in 2016.

“Demarcus is a steal for Chattanooga,” Rose said. “He has not reached his full potential yet as a defensive linemen. He’s very athletic and has some growing to do.”

None of those signing have come so far so fast as Brandon Alexander. Late interest from UT Martin provided an offer.

“It’s been a long journey filled with lessons and blessings,” Alexander said. “I’m going to miss Bob Jones but I’m ready for the next chapter of my life. I’m going to be a Skyhawk.”

Rose moved Alexander to safety from corner in the fifth game last season when AJ Harris had an ankle injury and Alexander responded with an interception against Florence.

“Brandon has been striving for a scholarship his whole career here,” Rose said. “He didn’t have any offers until about 10 days ago. He has worked for it and deserves it and will be a good college football player. The position move helped him and our defense. It showed he could do more than be a cover corner. It showed he could tackle and call a defense.”

Jonathan Moss always thought he would play basketball in college but a stellar senior season at wide receiver changed his mind. He signed with Murray State.

“He came out of nowhere,” Rose said. “Coming into this year he was not someone we thought would be signing a football scholarship. He made two great catches against Decatur to win that game and was a big time receiver for us all year. He had interest from Samford and other schools too.”

Moss’s brother Jeffrey is a basketball player at Murray and will graduate in May.

Also signing today was Drew Styles with Faulkner University, Carlos Davis with Lindsey Wilson, and Jeffrey Benton with Georgetown (KY) College.

The school will hold a ceremony for Miles Strickland on Monday Feb. 8.