GULF SHORES, Alabama—Three senior Dolphins accepted offers to play collegiate-level sports in a signing ceremony at Gulf Shores High School March 21.

Thrisstan Cornell and Colby Simmons will play football for the Choctaws at Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss., and Daniel LaBorde will play football and basketball for Huntingdon College in Montgomery.

The Choctaws play in the American Southwest Conference, one of the largest intercollegiate athletic conferences in NCAA Division III. The Choctaws may move to Division II in the near future.

Cornell (6-3, 215) caught 17 passes for a 12.82 yard average per reception (36.3 per game) and scored five touchdowns last season.

“I’m excited to keep playing at the next level,” he said. “They like to throw the ball and they will be needing receivers because some are graduating this year. It will be even more fun when Colby gets up there and plays quarterback. We have played together a lot and I know a lot about the way he throws and how he gets it to me. I think that’s one reason they liked getting both of us and keeping us together—because of our experience together.”

Gulf Shores head football coach Ben Blackmon said Cornell’s natural skills, size and speed will make him hard to cover.

“Thrisstan has the ability and a knack for using his body to shield the defender and protect the ball. He’s been one of Colby’s favorite receivers for good reason—he gets open and he holds on to the ball. Thrisstan has good moves and speed and has good hands, strong hands. He can jump, too and that’s a big thing in the passing game. You have to be able to go up for it with defenders all over you. But he’s a competitor and works hard and keeps getting better and stronger. He also pushes himself and others pick up on that. They are lucky to have him.”

Blackmon added that all three student athletes had similar high-quality traits on and away from the playing surface.

“All these guys, Thrisstan and Daniel and Colby all have high standards of character and honor that good schools compete for. They all have a good attitude and take pride in their work. They are all the kind of players who put the team first and play very unselfishly. Of course good schools want the best to represent the school when they put on those uniforms. But at the same time it’s also about wanting every student to go out and represent them everyday, just like we do here at Gulf Shores. And that’s why we’re proud to recognize them here today.“

GSHS principal Ernie Rosado echoed that aspect of the college experience for all students.

“You know we are very proud of these young men and all the hard work they have done and all the sacrifices they have made. We’re also proud to have them go out and represent Gulf Shores High School and the whole community. But even though we’re celebrating their recognition for accomplishments in sports, they would not be able to take advantage of this opportunity if they had not also put forth the effort it takes in their school work and overall academic preparation. So it says something about not just them but also about all the teachers who have influenced them and helped get them to this point. It’s a great day."

Cornell is the son of Lori Rapp. He plans to major in communications and broadcasting. The Choctaws are tentatively set to host the Huntingdon Hawks at MC Sept. 14.