Len Robbins | The Clinch County NewsClinch County's Kebrian Grady is joined by family and coaches after signing a letter-of-intent with West Georgia on Wednesday's National Signing Day in Homerville.

HOMERVILLE — John Mincey and Kebrian Grady were integral pieces to a Clinch County program that’s made three semifinal appearances and won two state championships over the past three seasons.

On National Signing Day, each Mincey and Grady signed a letter-of-intent to continue their respective football careers at the next level. Mincey will attend Tennessee, and Grady is going to West Georgia.

“I know when I leave here that’s going to be my home for the next four or five years, so I felt pretty comfortable around the people up there,” Mincey said.

A Georgia Sports Writers Association all-state selection, Mincey has generated plenty of interest from some of the top programs in the southeast since December.

Standing 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, Mincey committed to Arkansas in July, but he decided not to sign during the new early signing period in December before officially reopening his recruitment in January, following a big senior season that saw him help lead Clinch to the seventh state title in school history.

Mincey said the recruitment process picked up when teams learned he wouldn’t commit during the early signing period — making the final two months before signing day increasingly hectic.

“It was real stressful having people wanting me to take official visits to their places every weekend,” Mincey said. “I turned down some real good schools.”

South Carolina made a strong push for the 247Sports composite three-star defensive end, but ultimately Mincey where he felt the most comfortable.

The presence of defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer and defensive line coach Tracy Rocker — both of which made connections with Mincey during their time at the University of Georgia — resulted in Tennessee winning out for the defensive end.

“I really just narrowed it down to where I felt most at home at and where I had the best relationship with the coaches,” Mincey said. “I knew Coach Rocker and Coach Sherrer since like 10th grade, maybe, so we grew a pretty tight bond.”

Comfortability was also the primary concern of Grady when choosing his new home.

West Georgia kept the lines of contact open with Grady and made him feel wanted in Carrollton, and it made all the difference.

“They just came down here and kept showing me a lot of love,” Grady said. “When I went up there, every time, they showed me a lot of love.

“They just acted like they wanted me there, and it felt like home.”

Grady both saw time in the backfield in Class A Clinch’s single-wing attack, and lined up in the secondary. With the Wolves, Grady will concentrate on the defensive side of the ball.

“Corner is just where my heart is,” Grady said. “I like offense, but being a cornerback is where my heart is. I like defense.”

Joining a talented roster at West Georgia, Grady knows he’s got to go to work to earn his spot, but the coaching staff has told him he’s got a chance to see playing time early.

Mincey will likely redshirt his first year at Tennessee, but the Volunteers like his versatility in a four-front defense and envision him playing on the outside and sliding inside to rush the passer on third down.

Both players are ready to venture out from Homerville and begin the next step of their lives, but that doesn’t make the moving from their hometown any easier.

“That’s going to be the hardest part, leaving your homeboys and your friends, your family,” Grady said.

Derrick Davis is the sports editor at the Valdosta Daily Times.