LEDGER – Another Mitchell High School varsity football player is headed to the next level.
Senior lineman Lathan Adkinson became the latest Mountaineer to commit to playing college football after graduation Tuesday, Feb. 25, when he signed a letter of intent to play at Division III Emory & Henry College in Emory, Virginia.
Adkinson becomes the second Mountaineer football player to announce a college commitment since the season ended. Senior wide receiver Tyler McKinney announced earlier this month his plans to play at Division I Gardner-Webb University.
The 6-2, 290-pound Adkinson has been a staple in the trenches for the varsity Mountaineers over the past two seasons. During that stretch, Adkinson helped Mitchell go 22-5 and win three state playoff games.
Adkinson appeared in 21 games at the varsity level, splitting time between defensive and offensive tackle.
Adkinson recorded 15 tackles and one sack as a junior and capped his career with a senior campaign that saw him record 57 total tackles and one sack in 12 games.
Adkinson said he would look back fondly on his time at Mitchell.
“I would like to thank my coaches for helping me develop as a player and a man,” Adkinson said. “I want to thank all the men I’ve had the privilege of playing beside these past four years.”
Adkinson will join an Emory & Henry team that is coming off a 7-3 season.
The Wasps are led by head coach Curt Newsome, who has helped build on the school’s proud football pedigree that includes 11 Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles since the conference’s inception in 1976.
“I really enjoy the fact that football is important to their community, similar to how it is here at home,” Adkinson said. “I am thankful that I get this opportunity, and most of all, I’m thankful for everyone who helped me get here.”