RHS Seniors Ethen Hughes and Levi Baggerly signed with Defiance College last week. The two friends who have played with each other since freshman year will arrive to the Ohio campus as a package deal.
“Playing alongside Levi again is like a dream come true,” Hughes said. “He’s like a brother to me and I know we’re going to push each other to the next level.”
Hughes played outside linebacker for the Tigers. He said committing to Defiance was a tough decision but he is ready to get to work.
“I chose Defiance because they have a great football team and business program,” Hughes said. “I know it’s going to be very competitive and I’ll have to prove myself once I get there.”
Hughes was a fast, quick-thinking player for the Tigers. He made big plays for RHS with his ability to spot what the offense attempted to execute. At Defiance, he said he plans to play safety. At 5-foot 9-inches and 150 pounds, Hughes said he’s been told he was too small his whole life which only adds fuel to his fire.
“He’s a very physical football player,” Head Coach Jacob Campsey said. “I was very impressed by the way he was willing to throw his body around and play with no fear.”
Baggerly played both cornerback and safety for the Tigers. He says his relationship with Defiance assistant coach Chris Shank is the reason he committed.
“Coach Shank really made me feel at home,“ Baggerly said. “He was always calling and telling me how bad they wanted me so that really pulled me in.”
Baggerly said he played defensive back with a lot of confidence and never hung his head. He modeled his game after the greatest defensive back of all-time.
“I model my game after Deion Sanders,” Baggerly said. “I love what he brought to the game. It wasn’t just about football with him. It was about having fun and playing with swag.”
Campsey praised Baggerly on his work ethic and expressed how Baggerly is such a talented player.
“Levi is a very skilled defensive back,” Campsey said. “He’s been playing on the varsity team since his sophomore year and I have no doubt he’ll succeed at the next level.”
Both players said that they will have to earn starting positions once they arrive and thanked Coach Lewis Edmonson and Campsey for pushing them to reach this level.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these young men,” Defensive Backs and Head Track Coach Lewis Edmonson said. “By going to college together, they’ll both have someone they’re familiar with and they know they’ll have each other’s backs.”
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