Maryville College has come looking for Pioneers in the past. If the Scots have it their way, they'd like to see Warren County's entire defensive line make the move to East Tennessee by next year.
Canaan Curtis, Camron Holder and Ethan Holder have all received offers from Maryville College, giving the three Pioneer defensive linemen an opportunity to continue playing together at the next level. For Curtis, it marks his first college offer, while Camron and Ethan have also received offers from Sewanee.
The offers are another sign of the college interest Warren County's football program continues to generate, with three players from the same position group catching the attention of one school.
“I think they saw that they work well together,” said Pioneer coach Eric Belew. “They have great size and athleticism. They have all 3 put in a lot of work in the offseason to get to where they are now.”
The three linemen have been a significant part of Warren County's defense this fall, giving the Pioneers size and physicality up front. Their ability to work together has helped them develop as a unit, something Belew believes stood out to the Maryville coaching staff.
Their stats pop off the page too. Ethan and Camron have 55 tackles each, while Curtis has made 33 stops through nine games. Camron holds the edge in tackles for loss (12), though Ethan (11 TFLs) and Curtis (seven) are right behind him in creating havoc. The trio have combined for 5.5 sacks and - in a rarity for defensive linemen - two interceptions.
Curtis grabbed an interception by blowing up a screen pass early in the season, making a perfect read and good grab, while Camron’s diving play on a batted ball late in the Franklin County game helped seal a win over the Rebels.
“They will continue to be very disruptive defensively and will have more opportunities that will come between now and signing day,” said Belew. “It is very exciting that they're getting an offer this early in today's recruiting climate.”
Maryville competes at the NCAA Division III level, giving student-athletes the opportunity to continue their playing careers while pursuing a college education.
For Curtis, the offer represents his first opportunity to play college football. For Camron and Ethan, it adds another option alongside Sewanee as the two continue evaluating their futures.
All three will have decisions to make as signing day approaches. For now, though, the offers provide another accomplishment for a Warren County program that continues to see its players attract attention beyond the high school level.
Belew has already been part of several college signings during his second year leading the Pioneers. Isaiah Robledo signed with Bethel College, Xavier Simmons signed with Tusculum University and Brady Swallows signed with Cumberland University following last season.
Warren County also has former standouts making an impact at Carson-Newman University. Dayton Jernigan, now a junior, has emerged as a starter on the offensive line, while redshirt sophomore Braylon Grayson has recorded eight tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown this season.
Their continued success, along with the latest offers to Curtis and the Holder brothers, gives Warren County more examples of Pioneer players finding opportunities to continue their football careers beyond high school.
