By Eugenio Torrens
Edmond Boateng didn’t sign with a college football powerhouse.
The Wiregrass Ranch lineman — who projects to be a defensive tackle/defensive end — believes he is one monumental step closer to achieving that dream someday with a Division I program.
“It’s a great feeling because most people don’t know where they’re going to school after high school,” said Boateng, who signed on March 1. “They don’t have their future really planned out. But I’m very privileged, yet humbled, to have someone offer me a full ride to go play football there a year or two and then hopefully go on to D-I.”
Boateng, who had three sacks as a senior, signed with New Mexico Military Institute, a prep 4-year military high school and junior college. The Broncos play in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.
“They’re a top-notch junior college program,” said Wiregrass Ranch football coach Jeremy Shobe. “They’re not just a community college with football — they’re legitimate.”
Boateng had several options to decide from, saying he was courted shortly after the end of last season. Ultimately, it came down to one key factor.
“I understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and that I’m very honored to play at the next level,” Boateng said. “They produce really good players. So I know if I go there, it’s going to be a heck of a ride, and I know I’m ready for it. I knew that’s going to be the ideal place for me if I wanted to go to a D-I (school).”
