Signing Day updates: Williamson’s Woodyard picks Auburn; Jags get Webb

Wednesday is the first day of the early signing period and there are several signing ceremonies scheduled at schools across the Lagniappe coverage area. Williamson started things off at 10 a.m. with Robert Woodyard making his announcement. Also slated to make announcements today are Lucas Taylor at St. Paul’s, Jarel Williams and Trevon McAlpine at Saraland, Braylon McReynolds at McGill-Toolen and Shemar James at Faith Academy, among many others.

Ceremonies are slated at Gulf Shores at 11 a.m., Robertsdale at 11:30 a.m., South Alabama at 1 p.m., Saraland at 1 p.m., McGill-Toolen at 2 p.m., and Faith Academy at 5 p.m.

Check back here throughout the day for updates.

Williamson: Williamson linebacker Robert Woodyard, a longtime Alabama commit, signed with Auburn Wednesday morning in a signing ceremony at the school’s gymnasium. Afterward, Woodyard, a 6-foot-1, 210-pounder, said he selected Auburn because it was “the right fit” for him. There had been discussions in recent weeks Williamson might flip his commitment to the Tigers. Williamson said he knew “probably two or three weeks ago” that he would sign with Auburn.

He is the latest player from Williamson who has signed with the Tigers, joining current cornerback Roger McCreary, who will play in the upcoming Reese’s Senior Bowl, as well as Nick Fairly and Antonio Coleman, who was Woodyard’s position coach with the Lions.

Woodyard, who missed the end of the season with a knee injury — he said rehab is going well — still made 111 total tackles this season, including 27 tackles for a loss, with three interceptions and one forced fumble. He was also a threat on offense but is projected to play defense at Auburn.

South Alabama: Head coach Kane Wommack will meet with the media in 30 minutes but the school has already announced several signings taking place. The Jags have landed a pair of former Indiana defensive players — Wommack was defensive coordinator for the Hoosiers prior to taking the South Alabama head coaching position — in DL C.J. Person (from Montgomery) and LB D.K. Bonhomme. Also, the Jags landed Toledo QB Carter Bradley, who had an offer from Ole Miss. Former Ole Miss TE DeMarcus Thomas has signed, and high school signees include Pleasant Grove OL Malachi Carney, Elba LB Chrystyile Caldwell, WR C.J Davis from the state of Louisiana, and DB Marquise Robinson. McGill-Toolen running back Braylon McReynolds is expected to officially sign at 2 p.m. at McGill. Northride-Tuscaloosa lineman Kenton Jerido has signed with the Jags as well. Another big signee for the Jags is former Mr. Football La’Damian Webb, a running back, who rushed for 1,399 yards and 14 touchdowns this season at Jones, Miss., Community College. He spent the 2020 season at Florida State. His signing fills a big need for the Jags. He played at Beauregard in high school.

St. Paul’s: RB Jaylen Sultan announced on Twitter he is signing with Alabama State and OL Lucas Taylor has been a Mississippi State committee for several weeks. He originally committed to LSU, but changed his mind prior to the start of the season.

Robertsdale: Golden Bears RB Taven Curry signed with UAB today. He had a stellar season for Robertsdale and was the leader of the team’s offensive efforts.

Baldwin County: ATH Ty Mims, who played quarterback this season but projects as a wide receiver, his natural position at the college level, perhaps a kick returner as well, has signed with Southern Miss.

McGill-Toolen: A pair of Yellow Jackets placed their names on grants-in-aid Wednesday afternoon, with RB Braylon McReynolds making it official by signing with South Alabama, and DB Braden Turner signing with Northwestern. Both enjoyed solid careers at McGill.

Still more to come ….: The one signing that is attracting a lot of attention, not just locally but across the state, is Faith Academy’s Shemar James. He is set to sign at 5 p.m. today. Will it be Alabama? Or Florida? Or Georgia? Or elsewhere?

As it turned out, James selected Florida, the team he had originally committed to, then recommitted as he weighed other options. In the end, he said Florida was the right fit for him and his skill set and he is looking forward to playing for new head coach Billy Napier.