“It didn’t take long to figure out that they had that kind of potential,” McPherson said. “It was their efforts in the weight room and in the classroom that gave them this opportunity.”

Reid and Demps will be roommates at Florida State.

“I’m real excited to play with (Demps),” Reid said. “Hopefully I’ll play with Gerald four more years. It was fun all my years at Lowndes High, so hopefully we’ll continue to win and do a good job.”

Mitchell was the other Viking to sign on Wednesday. He signed on to play at Division II West Georgia in Carrollton.

Mitchell, who will play specials teams and in the secondary, said that one of the reasons UWG defensive coordinator James Colzie recruited him was because he is a winner. The Wolves are coming off an 0-10 season and have lost 19 of their last 20 games.

“I come from Lowndes, so I really want to win,” Mitchell said. “When I go up there, I’m going to bring the attitude I had at Lowndes and get the other guys to jump on board.”

One of the attractive things about West Georgia to Mitchell is that every two years the Wolves come to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium to play Valdosta State.

“I’m real excited,” Mitchell said. “My whole family can come see me. Some people go far away and their family can’t come see them.”

Colzie is familiar with Mitchell. He saw Mitchell play when he was the secondary coach at Valdosta State in 2007.

Five other Lowndes players, including Howell, are planning to sign on with FCS and Division II schools, but they will wait a few days for the dust to settle.

The players that will be signing soon are Howell, strong safety Marcus Solomon, defensive end Chris Stinson, defensive tackle Henry Harden and defensive tackle Ridge Spivey.