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Summersett signs with Clark Atlanta
Summersett signs
James Summersett gets a hug from his mother as his family celebrates his signing a letter of intent with Clark Atlanta University.

One of Liberty County High School’s most explosive players is staying in state to play college football.

Panthers senior James Summersett signed a letter of intent Thursday to play at Clark Atlanta University, much to the delight of the dozens of teammates, classmates and teachers in attendance.

“It’s a big day, going to the next level,” said Summersett, the Region 3-AAA athlete of the year for football.  “I thank all of the coaches who recruited me thinking I could play on the next level.”

The Clark Atlanta Panthers envision playing Summersett at defensive back, his primary position at Liberty County. But he also was a force on offense and special teams in high school.

Summersett was second on the team in receptions and receiving yards, with 41 catches for 725 yards. He led the team in receiving touchdowns with seven.

His 12 touchdowns led the Panthers in 2022. He also had three touchdowns rushing and one each on a fumble return and on an interception return.

“They want me to play DB,” Summersett said of the Clark coaches, “but I want to try to play all over the field. I love to score.”

Liberty County head coach Tony Glazer praised Summersett for the work he’s done on and off the field to earn a chance to play at Clark Atlanta.

“I’m very happy and very proud of James,” he said. “James is the true definition of a football player. This is what it’s about, getting a chance to go play at the next level. He has the ability to go to a great university.”

For players such as Summersett, the NCAA transfer portal has affected their recruiting from bigger programs, Glazer pointed out.

“It’s been very difficult for high school athletes to get the looks they were getting five or 10 years ago,” he said. “I will tell you Clark Atlanta is getting a heckuva football player and there are going to be a lot of schools that wish they had James. That I can guarantee. James is going to do big things. Anybody who has watched James on Friday nights can vouch for that.”

 

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