Signing Day was a busy day for the Valdosta Wildcats this year.

On Wednesday, nine Valdosta players signed letters of intent to play college football. Four of them accepted Division I offers, while the other five signed with traditionally-successful Division II schools.

The nine seniors played a major part in Valdosta’s success this year. The Wildcats went 11-2, finished second in Region 1-AAAAA and made it all the way to the Class AAAAA state quarterfinals. In these seniors’ four years at VHS, the Wildcats made the playoffs three times.

“I am proud of them, I really am, because it’s a huge accomplishment,” Valdosta head coach Rance Gillespie said. “I’m proud for them and their families.”

Jay Rome, TE

Georgia

2010 statistics: 45 catches, 555 yards, 7 touchdowns

Notes: Rome was one of the most sought-after tight ends in the nation, with offers from Division I schools across the country. ESPN ranked Rome the No. 1 tight end in the nation. He was a first-team All-State selection in both 2009 and 2010, and All-Region in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He played in the Under Armour All-American Bowl on Jan. 5 in St. Petersburg, Fla. He committed to Georgia on Jan. 20, the same day that teammate Malcolm Mitchell announced he would be a Bulldog. Rome was a three-year starter at Valdosta, and received considerable playing time as a freshman.

Quote: “It was very exciting (to sign). It was something I’ve been dreaming about my whole life. And now it’s finally coming true,” Rome said. “Georgia’s a great institution, a great football program. (They have) a great football history. And you can’t beat playing in front of your home (state).”

Malcolm Mitchell, WR

 Georgia

2010 statistics: 77 catches, 1,419 yards, 15 touchdowns.

Notes: In 2010, Mitchell set a school record with 77 catches, and his 1,419 receiving yards are the most by a Wildcat player since Stan Rome had 1,573 in 1971. He was the Region 1-AAAAA Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-State selection. He played in the Under Armour All-American Bowl on Jan. 5 in St. Petersburg, Fla. In Mitchell’s junior year, he scored touchdowns six different ways. Mitchell was considered a big-time prospect as both a wide receiver and a cornerback (rivals.com rated him the No. 1 cornerback in the nation, while ESPN ranked him the No. 7 wide receiver in the country), but Georgia has told him he will likely be used as a receiver.

Quote: “I’m very excited. I feel good. I’m just happy I got this opportunity to be able to do something like this,” Mitchell said. “I’m ready to play. I’m working hard, looking forward to seeing what I can do coming in. Hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to play. … On the (recruiting) trip, it just felt like that’s where I needed to be. The atmosphere felt good. I felt at home. That’s what really closed my decision.”

Jermaine Holmes, LB

Marshall

2010 statistics: 47 solo tackles, 20 assists, 15 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 pass breakups.

Notes: Holmes was the Region 1-AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year, and a second-team All-State selection. He moved from middle linebacker (where he had started for two years) to outside linebacker in 2010, but will move back to middle linebacker in college. Will join Valdosta teammate Jarquez Samuel at Marshall. Holmes was the No. 49 middle linebacker in the country, according to scout.com, and a three-star prospect.

Quote: “It felt real good (to pick Marshall). It’s a good program,” Holmes said. “It’s good I’ll already know somebody up there (Samuel). You’ve got somebody you can depend on.”

Jarquez Samuel, DE

Marshall

2010 statistics: 23 solo tackles, 29 assists, 5 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass breakup.

Notes: Samuel was a first-team All-Region selection in 2010. He played both defensive end and defensive tackle for the Wildcats, but will play defensive end in college. Samuel was a three-year starter for Valdosta. He will join Valdosta teammate       Jermaine Holmes at Marshall. Samuel’s best game at Valdosta might have been in 2010 against eventual state runner-up Colquitt County, when he had four sacks in the Wildcats’ 36-29 victory. Samuel was rated the No. 53 defensive end in the nation by rivals.com, and a three-star prospect.

Quote: “It’s nice (at Marshall),” Samuel said. “The coaches are great. The players are, too. They’re social; they’re laughing and joking with you. It really got my attention. … (Our plane trip to visit Marshall) was our first time flying, so we were kind of nervous. It was cool, though.”

Wesley Bee, WR — Valdosta State

2010 statistics: 16 catches, 288 yards, 2 touchdowns

Notes: Bee only played one year of varsity football, but did enough in that one season to receive an offer from Valdosta State. He was fourth on the team in receptions and third in receiving yards (behind Georgia signees Malcolm Mitchell and Jay Rome). Bee is one of three Wildcats who signed with Valdosta State, along with Phillip Moore and Justin Williams. Bee also played basketball at Valdosta.

Quote: “We just came out of a passing offense in high school. I’m just ready to do what I did in high school, only better,” Bee said. “Very glad (to have Moore and Williams going to VSU as well), because I didn’t want to just go there, and (not) know anybody. I can stay on campus and be with J-Will and Swole, some of my teammates that are already there. We’ve got an old (Wildcat) that plays there, David Arnold. He was a good friend of my brother, Pernell Bee Jr.”

Justin Williams, LB — Valdosta State

2010 statistics: 62 solo tackles, 22 assists, 12 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 5 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 2 safeties, 1 defensive touchdown, 2 rushing touchdowns.

Notes: Williams was an All-Region linebacker in 2010, and one of the Wildcats’ leading tacklers. He was a two-year starter at Valdosta High. Scout.com rated Williams the No. 179 outside linebacker in the country, and a two-star prospect. Williams also played some running back for the Wildcats, and scored a touchdown on both of his carries this year. One of his biggest plays as a Wildcat came when he forced a fumble on a two-point conversion play in overtime that helped Valdosta beat Brunswick 64-62 last year.

Quote: “They told me I have a chance to be a good player. … I talked to (Division II National Defensive Player of the Year) Larry Dean (earlier this week), and he was like, ‘There’s a lot of defensive players that left this year.’ So they told me I had a chance to (earn playing time),” Williams said. “You never know, I could have a national championship ring. That’s always a plus.”

Phillip Moore, RB — Valdosta State

2010 statistics: 200 carries, 1,027 yards, 11 touchdowns; 17 catches for 95 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Notes: Moore was a three-year starter in the backfield for Valdosta. His senior year, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes and scored two receiving touchdowns. He was a first-team All-Region selection in 2010. Moore was also the state weightlifting champion at Valdosta. Moore will be going to Valdosta State with VHS teammates Wesley Bee and Justin Williams.

Quote: “Staying at home is sweet. Valdosta is just a great place to play football. You’re going to always feel the atmosphere (at) Bazemore-Hyder Stadium,” Moore said. “Three Wildcats (are) coming in. It’s going to feel great, because everybody knows you, who you are, knows what type of player you are.”

Reggie McQueen, CB — Albany State

2010 statistics: 34 solo tackles, 8 assists, 3 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, 1 defensive touchdown, 3 special teams touchdowns.

Notes: McQueen was a first-team All-Region selection at cornerback in 2010, in his first year starting on defense. He also was a dangerous return man who returned three kicks for touchdowns last season. McQueen also played running back for the Wildcats in 2009 and 2010, and rushed for 332 yards. He will likely play defensive back in college, and will also return kicks. He will be going to Albany State with fellow cornerback Devontae Foster.

Quote: “I’m excited about going to Albany. Everybody can come see me play from Valdosta, and we can keep doing big things,” McQueen said. “I know they’ve made the playoffs about seven years in a row. … It was great being a Wildcat. I’m a Wildcat for the rest of my life now.”

Devontae Foster, CB — Albany State

2010 statistics: 16 solo tackles, 6 assists, 7 interceptions, 6 pass breakups.

Notes: Foster was a two-year starter at cornerback for Valdosta, and was a second-team All-Region defensive back in 2010. He came close to breaking the school’s single-season record for interceptions. Foster also played baseball and basketball for the Wildcats. In 2010, Albany State went 11-1 and made it to the Division II national quarterfinals. He will be going to Albany State with VHS teammate Reggie McQueen. Foster said the Rams’ recent success played a big part in his decision to sign with them.

Quote: “I’m ready to be a Ram, me and Reggie,” Foster said. “(I like) the environment. It felt like home away from home. Coach (Mike) White was cool; the whole coaching staff was. They said there was a spot open at corner, and I can come (compete for) it. It’s up for grabs.”