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

Quarterback Colby Simmons and receiver Thrisstan Cornell will play football for the Choctaws at Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss., while 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.

Playing limited time at QB last season, Simmons (6-3, 215) passed for two TDs, 160 yards and was 10-for-19 as a senior. Simmons led the West All-Stars to a 14-10 win in the Max Emfinger High School Showcase Bowl in January at Pensacola High.

“It felt like home to me and compared to the other visits I took to other colleges, it really stood out to me,” Simmons said of his MC choice. “The coaches made me feel like I could really contribute. But also it’s a Christian based school and that’s very important to me as well as the academics. They have a couple of guys there now (at QB) who are more like dual-threat type quarterbacks. The coach said they want me to come in and be a more passing-first type quarterback who can stand in there and take the pressure without looking to run too soon—not give up on the throw—especially if they go to Division II which they might do. So my goals now are to put on some weight, learn as much about their offense and hope to make a good showing this summer when I get up there. I’m glad Thrisstan going, too. It’ll be fun having him to throw to.”

Gulf Shores head football coach Ben Blackmon said Simmons’ ability, size and speed will help assure him of early and significant playing time over the next four years.

“Colby has an exciting challenge ahead of him, but talking to the coach up there, they are confident he will fit in well and do so pretty quickly with their system. So he can look forward to playing a lot. Colby’s big thing is how effectively he throws the ball. He’s a hard worker and committed to being the best he can be, but how well he continues to develop at the next level will be a result of that effectiveness. I think he and Thrisstan together will both fit into the offensive schemes they like to use and maybe some new looks they might go to.”

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."

Simmons is the son of Rhonda and Randy Simmons. He plans to major in pre-med or a medically-related field. The Choctaws are tentatively set to host the Huntingdon Hawks MC Sept. 14.