Three senior Greeneville football players will have the unique opportunity to continue their relationship as teammates at the collegiate level next fall.
On Wednesday afternoon in a crowded lecture hall at the high school Zorian Harris, Bishop Merriweather and Colton Smith all signed to join the football program at The University of the Cumberlands.
“Its great to be going up there together. You know you have guys to work with and who will push you,” Merriweather said. “I think the whole process will be easier, moving in, starting practice, everything, because we’ll be there together.”
For all three the chance to play college football has been a childhood dream, and that become a reality made Wednesday really special for them all.
“It feels amazing. It’s a real honor to have this opportunity,” Harris said. “I’ve always wanted to play college football. That’s been my dream since I started playing at eight years old. Now it’s real.”
The University of the Cumberlands is an NAIA school located along Intersate-75 just beyond the state line in Williamsburg, Kentucky. The Patriots compete in the Mid-South conference and are led by fourth-year head coach Shan Housekeeper. Last year they went 4-6.
Both Harris and Merriweather will be joining the Patriots as offensive linemen. Both played on both sides of the line scrimmage at Greeneville and both were named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Class 4A All-State team, Merriweather as an offensive lineman and Harris as a defensive lineman. Harris was the Region 1-4A Defensive Player of the Year and Merriweather was the Region 1-4A Offensive Lineman of the Year.
“Already I’m focused on getting the playbook. I want to get into the film and I want to be ready to go the minute I get up there,” Merriweather said.
Smith was an All-Region tight end at Greeneville and played a big role in helping the Greene Devils advance to the state semifinals this season.
He will continue that role at the college level and a big reason he chose Cumberlands was because he felt like he fit into the scheme that often utilizes two tight ends.
“I feel like I fit into their offense really well. They run a lot of 12 personnel,” Smith said. “They tell me I’ll be playing their Y position which has to get down and block, but also gets out and catches the ball. I know this is a big step. I’ve got to focus on maturing and getting stronger over the next few months.”
The three Greene Devils have been a part of one of Greeneville’s most successful senior classes. In four years they only lost two regular season games. They advanced to the state semifinals twice and to the state quarterfinals twice.
This year the trio were part of paving the way for one of the state’s top offenses which averaged 46.5 points and 428.7 yards per game.
As far as academics go Harris plans on majoring in business, Merriweather will major in sports management, and Smith will major sports medicine with plans to go to physical therapy school once he graduates.
