FOLEY, Alabama —  The Foley Lions football program sent another player to the college ranks on Wednesday morning when senior long snapper and wide receiver Burke Langham signed a letter of intent to play football for the Birmingham Southern Panthers starting in the fall.

Family, friends, coaches, and faculty packed the Foley High School library to celebrate Langham taking the next step not only in his football career but more importantly his education.

“It’s another special day at Foley High School. We have another student who is signing a scholarship and has the opportunity to participate in athletics,” Foley head football coach Todd Watson said.” We are very proud of him today.”

While in school along with his stellar play on the field Langham also excelled in the class room. Langham won many prestigious awards, including the team’s scholar athlete award, given to the player with the highest grade point average.

“I am very proud of what he accomplished in the classroom. A lot goes into that, not only his good effort but that of his parents, and the teachers and the faculty,” Watson said. “His attitude and his work ethic capitalized with a great high school education and career in athletics.”

Langham who initially planned on attending college without playing football was wooed late by the Panthers who were intrigued by both his athletic ability as well as his academics.

“At first I wasn’t sure I was going to go up there and play football. They came in late in the process,” Langham said. “I went up and took a trip to the campus and I liked the facilities it was really pretty and it was a really nice school. I get the opportunity to play football and to do something that I love.”

Langham, who came to Foley and played receiver for the Lions, picked up long snapping a few years ago and excelled at it to the point where he is taking his game to the next level.

“I kind of picked up during spring training a few years ago. I wasn’t really sure how to do it or if I was any good at it. I went to a couple of camps and they gave me some pointers and how to better myself at it,” Langham said. “I ended up starting at long snapper last season so I guess it paid off.”

Usually the long snapper and centers have to match up against guys on the other side of the line that would be considered the team’s biggest guys on defense. That was the case with Langham, who took everything in stride.

“It’s a little intimidating,” Langham said. “I just focus on snapping the ball and getting my job done the best that I can.”

When Langham starts school in the fall at Birmingham Southern he plans on majoring in chemistry while in school, although he admits that could change but as of right now that’s the path he is planning on taking.

BSC, who started its football program in 2007, was led by current University of South Alabama coach Joey Jones until he left to begin the Jaguar football program handing the reigns over to current head coach Eddie Garfinkle.

Along with playing football, Langham also spent time in the Lions outfield playing for the baseball team. Langham’s brother who is currently on the Lions football roster will take over as long snapper for the Lions.