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| Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Leesburg High School, Leesburg Florida, Home of the Jackets |
By Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
April 17, 1993
Wayne Haynes, head football coach at Southwest Baptist (Mo.) University, makes no attempt to deny it. He knows he is fortunate to have signed Leesburg's Oran Singleton.
"I don't think he's a potential steal; I think he is a steal," Haynes said.
The facts seem to support Haynes. Singleton, the sixth-leading career rusher in Florida high school history, drew attention from several Division I schools as a senior. But instead he'll be playing collegiately for Southwest Baptist, an NCAA Divison II school located in Bolivar, Mo.
Two factors combined to drop Singleton's stock. He failed to acheive the entrance exam score required for freshman eligibility at NCAA schools. But probably more damaging, he sustained a severe knee injury last December during his final game for Leesburg.
Singleton, who finished his career with 5,104 yards and 63 touchdowns, underwent reconstructive surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee. He continues with a rehabilitation program, and his doctors have said his progress is ahead of schedule.
Despite questions about his knee, Singleton remained enough of a prospect that several Division I schools called Leesburg Coach Ed Hoffman in hopes of arranging a spot for Singleton in a junior college.
He also had an offer from at least one other small college, NAIA national champion Central State of Ohio.
But Singleton, twice the Daily Commercial Offensive Player of the Year, wasn't interested in junior colleges despite the possiblility of later joining a Divison I program.
"Maybe if I wouldn't have had the leg injury, but you only get two years there," Singleton said. "If I got hurt my first year, then it's all downhill."
Singleton was impressed with Southwest Baptist after making a recruiting visit with Leesburg teammates Ty Lawrence and Steve Gooden. The latter both signed with the school shortly after the signing period began in February.
Singleton seems happy to be joining them.
"When I went out there, it was a good school." Singleton said. "It seemed like a nice place to be and it's not that big. I don't have to worrry about getting in trouble. You have to go about 30 miles to have fun."
Haynes a former assistant who took over the school's program last November, plans to have fun with
Singleton. The 5-foot-6, 150-pound speedster will have four years of eligibility remaining after sitting out his freshman season.
He should get plenty of attention at the small school academically, athletically and medically. Haynes noted that Southwest Baptist includes sports medicine and physical therapy programs in its curriculum.
"I know Oran had a real tough knee injury, but we feel with the proper rehabilitation and with his type of work ethic, he'll come back," Haynes said. "We feel he can be as good as he ws in high school or better."
Largely because of Singleton's presence, Haynes has scrapped the school's run-and-shoot offense in
favor of an I-bone, the same offense Leesburg ran.
"He's the type of player who can take over a game. He has the ability to run inside or outside. We feel everytime he touches the ball, it's potentially six points."
Haynes said his team's conference, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association, is one of the best in Division II. He said a half dozen players from the conference are drafted by or sign with professional teams each year.
In addition, plaers from the conference have won teh Harlon Hill Trophy the small-college version of the Heisman - the past two seasons. Haynes suggests Singleton can fit in well with the talent level.
"Hopefully he can rewrite a few record books up here," Haynes said.
Two other Leesburg players, running back/defensive back Herbert Ellis and receiver/defensive back D.J. Keith, plan to attend Southwest Baptist. Though the paperwork isn't completed, Haynes said he is working on financial aid packages for both.
April 17, 1993
Wayne Haynes, head football coach at Southwest Baptist (Mo.) University, makes no attempt to deny it. He knows he is fortunate to have signed Leesburg's Oran Singleton.
"I don't think he's a potential steal; I think he is a steal," Haynes said.
The facts seem to support Haynes. Singleton, the sixth-leading career rusher in Florida high school history, drew attention from several Division I schools as a senior. But instead he'll be playing collegiately for Southwest Baptist, an NCAA Divison II school located in Bolivar, Mo.
Two factors combined to drop Singleton's stock. He failed to acheive the entrance exam score required for freshman eligibility at NCAA schools. But probably more damaging, he sustained a severe knee injury last December during his final game for Leesburg.
Singleton, who finished his career with 5,104 yards and 63 touchdowns, underwent reconstructive surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee. He continues with a rehabilitation program, and his doctors have said his progress is ahead of schedule.
Despite questions about his knee, Singleton remained enough of a prospect that several Division I schools called Leesburg Coach Ed Hoffman in hopes of arranging a spot for Singleton in a junior college.
He also had an offer from at least one other small college, NAIA national champion Central State of Ohio.
But Singleton, twice the Daily Commercial Offensive Player of the Year, wasn't interested in junior colleges despite the possiblility of later joining a Divison I program.
"Maybe if I wouldn't have had the leg injury, but you only get two years there," Singleton said. "If I got hurt my first year, then it's all downhill."
Singleton was impressed with Southwest Baptist after making a recruiting visit with Leesburg teammates Ty Lawrence and Steve Gooden. The latter both signed with the school shortly after the signing period began in February.
Singleton seems happy to be joining them.
"When I went out there, it was a good school." Singleton said. "It seemed like a nice place to be and it's not that big. I don't have to worrry about getting in trouble. You have to go about 30 miles to have fun."
Haynes a former assistant who took over the school's program last November, plans to have fun with
Singleton. The 5-foot-6, 150-pound speedster will have four years of eligibility remaining after sitting out his freshman season.
He should get plenty of attention at the small school academically, athletically and medically. Haynes noted that Southwest Baptist includes sports medicine and physical therapy programs in its curriculum.
"I know Oran had a real tough knee injury, but we feel with the proper rehabilitation and with his type of work ethic, he'll come back," Haynes said. "We feel he can be as good as he ws in high school or better."
Largely because of Singleton's presence, Haynes has scrapped the school's run-and-shoot offense in
favor of an I-bone, the same offense Leesburg ran.
"He's the type of player who can take over a game. He has the ability to run inside or outside. We feel everytime he touches the ball, it's potentially six points."
Haynes said his team's conference, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association, is one of the best in Division II. He said a half dozen players from the conference are drafted by or sign with professional teams each year.
In addition, plaers from the conference have won teh Harlon Hill Trophy the small-college version of the Heisman - the past two seasons. Haynes suggests Singleton can fit in well with the talent level.
"Hopefully he can rewrite a few record books up here," Haynes said.
Two other Leesburg players, running back/defensive back Herbert Ellis and receiver/defensive back D.J. Keith, plan to attend Southwest Baptist. Though the paperwork isn't completed, Haynes said he is working on financial aid packages for both.
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Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
April 17, 1993
April 17, 1993
Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
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