Huntington football coach Billy Seals watches from the sidelines as the HighlandersƵ game against Hurricane gets ready to start on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Hurricane, West Virginia.
Huntington's Tayveon Wilson (11) celebrates a score against Hurricane during a high school football game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Huntington High School.
Huntington football coach Billy Seals watches from the sidelines as the HighlandersƵ game against Hurricane gets ready to start on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Hurricane, West Virginia.
Huntington's Tayveon Wilson (11) celebrates a score against Hurricane during a high school football game on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at Huntington High School.
Wilson announced in November his commitment to play football at Clemson University.
He chose Clemson over Penn State, Miami (Florida), Louisville and ƵU.
ƵI donƵt think weƵve ever had a four-sport kid like Tayveon,Ƶ Seals said. ƵHeƵs not a four-sport that doesnƵt play any or impact the game. HeƵs a four-sport stud. If you watch all our guys that have had success across all divisions, theyƵve all been multi-sport guys. We promote that at our place. ItƵs important for our guys to be well-rounded.
ƵIf you look at college recruiting, theyƵre not recruiting those guys that specialize in one sport. They like those guys that can do a lot of different things.Ƶ
The other Power Four-bound player on HuntingtonƵs roster is running back/defensive back Zah Jackson, who signed Wednesday with ƵU.
There are a few former Highlanders playing Division I football, like Wayne Harris and Gavin Lochow.
Harris has appeared in three games this season as a freshman for the Golden Flashes.
Lochow was primarily a quarterback at Huntington.
However, the former Highlander has transitioned to wide receiver and has thrived in a few seasons at Dayton.
Lochow has recorded a team-best 59 receptions for 488 yards and five touchdowns this season for the Flyers.
Seals doesnƵt think thereƵs any specific formula for the success former Highlanders have had at the next level.
ƵThe kids have to be talented,Ƶ Seals said. ƵThereƵs no magic wand that weƵve waved and these kids are college football players. They have to be talented and academically have to be in great standing. All those guys are. They also have to be willing to be coachable. WeƵve done a great job of developing our guys, not only on the field but in the film room.
ƵWhen our guys walk into college, you donƵt see our guys in the transfer portal a whole lot. TheyƵre committed. They get on the field and produce.Ƶ
Bryce Damous, Billy Ross and Luke Zban were other former Highlanders who Seals pointed out as examples of HuntingtonƵs success at the next level.
According to Seals, during his watch, the Highlanders have pumped out 60 college football players.
ƵWeƵve been able to produce high-level guys,Ƶ Seals said. ƵThis is what you have to do. ItƵs instant credibility. WeƵre giving guys an opportunity to go play a sport they love for four or five more years. WeƵre giving kids an opportunity to get a college education, get a degree, then better their lives outside of football. All of that has given our program validity that weƵre doing it the right way.Ƶ
Taylor Kennedy covers sports. He can be reached at 304-348-7935 or tkennedy@hdmediallc.com. Follow on Twitter.
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