FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Fairhope High defensive end/linebacker Trey Harbison signed a national letter of intent to play football for the Faulkner University Eagles of Montgomery Friday at FHS.

As a senior he finished with 95 tackles, nine hurries, three sacks and a fumble recovery.

"Faulkner really made me feel good," Harbison said. "Enjoyed everything about it. They said I could make an impact early and they are looking at me playing the outside, what they call the RAM linebacker position. That really appealed to me and I liked the coaching staff from day one. They treated me real well. This is something I have really wanted to do and I want to thank my mom (Paula Redwine) and my dad (Bruce Harbison) and my teammates and coaches and the Faulkner University coaching staff for everything they've done and everyone for helping me get to this point."

Fairhope head coach David Faulkner said Harbison has always been a team-first player with natural defensive ability and would make a great ambassador of Fairhope as Faulkner U's first Pirate recruit.

"Trey has been an anchor and a mainstay for us defensively and we are truly going to miss him," he said. "I know he will be a plus for their program as he was for ours. To be offered this opportunity, I think, says a lot about his work ethic on the field and in the classroom and is just a testament to Trey's character. For any student-athlete to get to the next level takes more than skill. It takes dedication and sacrifice and team

work. He exemplifies that well and will be a great representative of Fairhope High School. When we needed — in order to put our best 11 on the field — for him to play defensive end instead of linebacker, he jumped right in there to help the team."

The Eagles' defensive coordinator Duane McWhorter said he was excited about adding Harbison to his roster and that he would likely see plenty of playing time this fall.

"Trey has really good lateral movement and does a good job of playing off blocks with his hands while keeping his head up and following the play," he said. "I think he's a natural for this position. He'll have a lot of options and responsibilities. Might be on the line for a straight rush or could play off and stunt or pass defend. And he has the ability to make good reads quickly. So I think it's a good spot for him."

Harbison is leaning toward a major in the college of business.