It may have been fall break at Warren County High School, but it didn’t stop colleges from taking notice of a few standout local athletes last week. Seniors Mia Hobbs and Braylon Grayson both received their first college offers, giving both the option to play the sports they love for the next four years.
Hobbs got her offer from Freed Hardeman for basketball, while Sewanee football came calling for Grayson. Both were overwhelmed when getting the news Thursday as the offers came in hours apart.
“I was so excited. I’ve always want to play basketball at the next level and I’m thankful Freed is giving me the ability to do it,” said Hobbs.
Grayson added, “It felt like a dream that I have an opportunity to play at the next level. I’m just very blessed by the opportunity Sewanee has given me and they won’t regret it.”
Basketball is one of two sports in which Hobbs excels at while wearing a Lady Pioneer uniform. She is also a great contributor on the volleyball team, earning first-team, All-District 6AAA honors Thursday (More on 3B). Hooping has just been in her DNA from an early age though, back to when she was leading Irving College to titles.
Hobbs now has a chance to keep piling up more memories with the sport she loves now that Freed Hardeman has come calling. It was hard for the college to ignore her Swiss Army knife skillset – Hobbs is often asked to be a defensive stopper, knockdown shooter, secondary ball handler and hard-nosed rebounder for Warren County nightly.
She is the third Lady Pioneer senior to get a college offer before the season even starts. Classmates Kyra Perkins and Shelby Smartt have also had colleges calling, with Perkins getting an offer from UT Southern in Junes and Smartt having Bryan College and Johnson College battling for her services.
Hobbs isn’t going to make any hasty decisions, at least not right now, as she starts to turn her focus to basketball season after just wrapping up her volleyball career.
“I’ll probably just let everything play out and keep trusting God’s timing,” said Hobbs.
Grayson’s passion is football and the Sewanee Tigers couldn’t help but notice the tackling machine that has been a two-way standout for the Pioneers this fall. He’s been chomping at the bit for a chance to secure at least four more years for the game and it was a school from just an hour away that made sure he will have a chance.
The Tigers already have two former Pioneers on their roster, Kason and Ryland Holder, and seem to be jockeying for position to add another. Sewanee could face competition though. Several colleges have been in steady contact with Grayson throughout the season and his stock has only gone up with his play as a senior.
Grayson leads the Pioneers in rushing with 464 yards and has scored three times on the ground. The versatile back also has seven catches for 133 yards, including a TD grab against Coffee County on homecoming. Grayson is already in the top 10 all-time for the Pioneers in TD catches (seven, tied for eighth with Tony Kennerly) and is pushing toward the top 10 in career rushing (he’s 124 yards from Josh Paz’s 1,439-yard mark).
Like Hobbs, Grayson isn’t planning on making a quick decision on his future, but he’s glad to know there will be more football to be played after he moves on from the Pioneers.
“Going forward, I’ll keep talking to schools and keep grinding. I want to get my school paid for and keep playing football until I can’t play anymore,” said Grayson.
It has happened gradually, but it seems like college coaches have finally caught on to what so many locals have known for years: Warren County can produce special athletes. Grayson and Hobbs just added their names to that growing list.
