by Rusty Ellis
Upperman seniors Terrance Dedmon and Matthew Mullins each made their college commitments official on Friday, as Dedmon will take his talents to Tennessee Tech and Mullins will head to Bethel University after graduation.
It’s a day both have been working towards for a few years now, and head coach Adam Caine knows both have earned their opportunities.
“Both have played a lot of ball here,” Caine said. “Terrance has played a lot of snaps since his freshman year, and Matthew Mullins was a two-year starter for us on a good offensive line…it’s going to be very difficult for us to fill these holes, but more importantly, I’m excited for them to continue their careers. Hopefully, this is a kind of preview of what’s to come here where we’re sending two or three kids to college to play football every year.”
Mullins was quick to credit his family for how much they’ve pushed him and supported him in his time at Upperman.
“I just didn’t think I would be in this position to play on the next level and move past high school ball,” Mullins said. “A lot of this was due to my mom, she helped me out through a lot of this so that’s why I’m here now.”
Dedmon will get to stay local, as he heads just up the road from Baxter to Cookeville, something that he’s really excited for.
“It means a lot to me, it’s something I’ve been looking forward to for my whole life,” Dedmon said. “Staying close to home is always a plus, and I really like the coaches. I really just felt at home there.”
Of the two programs, Caine has more familiarity with Tennessee Tech’s program, and he believes Dedmon will fit in perfectly there.
“I do think Terrance is going into a really good spot there,” Caine said. “I’m pretty sure they’re going to work him as a linebacker, I feel pretty good about that. I think he’s got a lot to learn, but he’s got the physical tools to play at that level.”
And Mullins believes he’s going to fit right in at Bethel as well.
“I like the way it is, everyone was pretty nice down there,” Mullins said. “Everybody talked and everybody had fun, and I’ve got a few of my friends that are going to be going down there, so I think I’ll fit in pretty well.”
