RICHMOND HILL -- Four Richmond Hill Wildcats signed up to go play college football on Tuesday’s National Signing Day.
Tommy Bliss, Gilbert Brown, Ryan Steele, and Christian Hubbard all signed their National Letters of Intent to make their college football commitments final.
Bliss, a safety will travel I-16 West to join the Mercer University Bears football team of Division I.
In his high school career Bliss had 68 tackles and three blocked punts for the Wildcats.
Bliss racked up honors of playing in the WSAV Blitz Border Bowl, All-Region 2-6A First Team DB, All-Greater Savannah First Team DB, and an honorable mention in Recruit Georgia’s All-State team.
Nearly two years ago Bliss broke his femur and tore his meniscus, causing him to miss his junior season and putting his football career in doubt.
“I really couldn’t have done it on my own,” Bliss said after signing to Mercer. “I think that’s the most important thing I could say about this whole process. I had a family, friends, and coaching staff that all wanted to see me succeed and come back better than I was before. I want to give all the credit to them because I wouldn’t be where I am without them today. Mercer was the right fit for me in all aspects. It had the right degree program, and the coaching staff cares about the players so much. It’s close to home and my parents are so excited about that. And I get to play at the Division I level. All factors combined it made Mercer the number one choice for me. Mercer is about to get the hardest worker on the team. I’m going to do whatever it takes to see the field and I want them to know that. I’m going to stop at nothing until I really achieve my goals.”
Kicker and punter Gilbert Brown is headed to play some HBCU football for the Albany State Golden Rams of Division II.
Brown also played in the WSAV Blitz Border Bowl, was an All-Region 2-6A First Team Punter, an All-Greater Savannah honorable mention, and a Recruit Georgia honorable mention.
“Playing here at Richmond Hill for the last three years, the main thing that stuck out to me was family,” Brown said as he’s joining the RAMily. “Going to Albany State University on a visit, it felt like a place I could call home. I’m already setting goals right now. I’m thinking about breaking records. Whew, it’s going to be a good one.”
During his time at Richmond Hill, Brown punted 60 times for 2,365 yards.
Ryan Steele is headed to Fayetteville, North Carolina to play tight end for the Methodist University Monarchs of Division III.
Steele was All-Region 2-6A First Team’s tight end and an honorable mention of All-Greater Savannah.
The newest Methodist addition had 20 catches for 284 yards and four touchdowns at Richmond Hill.
“When I went there on my visit me and the coaches really clicked – it was an awesome experience,” the tight end said of the North Carolina school. “It’s four hours away straight up 95 so it’s not that bad of a drive. They’re getting a versatile player that can catch the ball, block, and run iso.”
After missing his senior year of football Christian Hubbard has another chance to play.
The offensive lineman torn his ACL during the 2021 season.
His drive won’t be long as he’s headed 30 minutes down the road to HBCU Savannah State University Tigers of Division II to play ball.
“It’s the hometown city and it’s close to my grandpa who recently got cancer,” Hubbard said of the nearby university. “I want him to finally see one of my games for the first time ever. I felt like playing at Savannah State I’d get the playing time I needed to further my football career. They’re getting a nasty one and the strongest one they’ll ever get.”
The Wildcats went 4-6 in their 2021 season, falling in the first round of the playoffs to Lovejoy.
Next season, they will be members of the GHSA 7A classification.