by Rusty Ellis
Wednesday was a successful signing day for Cookeville Football, as seniors Jourdyn Burruss and Mason Taylor signed their NLIs to play college football at Arkansas State and Tennessee Tech, respectively.
Burruss says it’s a day he’s thankful for, as he’s spent the last several years working towards the goal of playing college football.
“It was a dream come true, I’ve been working really hard to get where I’m supposed to be,” Burruss said. “The process was hard, you never know if a coach is going to look at your film or not, so you just have to wait your time…Butch Jones took the time out of his day to watch my film and he hit me up with an offer, so I appreciate him for that.”
For Taylor, he admits to having to be patient and wait his time in his own right, but the prospects of playing for his hometown school were exactly what he was hoping for.
“I’ve lived here all 18 years,” Taylor said. “I’m blessed, great to be in this situation. Not a lot of people get to do what me and Jourdyn have done…it was a late decision, but it’s home for me. Tech’s really all I know. Coach Wilder, I think he’s building something special, so I really couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a Golden Eagle.”
CHS head coach Taylor Hennigan knows it’s a special day for two of his seniors, but he also says it’s a big day for the program. Cookeville’s had players sign at all levels in previous years, but he feels two Division I signings opens many doors for future Cavaliers.
“To get two full scholarship Division I signees is a big deal, and these guys did the hard work and they earned it,” Hennigan said. “The cool thing about it is these were kind of old-school signings…these coaches watched their tape and watched them live, and then offered them scholarships. It was cool to see them get rewarded for their play and hard work.”
The second-year head coach goes on to add that he feels both programs are a great fit for Burruss and Taylor.
“I told Mason all along that he could play at that level,” Hennigan said. “I told him ‘I coached at that level, you can play at that level.’ If I was a coach, I would’ve been trying to sign him…It was a long road for both of them, but I’m excited to see them both play. Jourdyn is a guy that their staff fell in love with, and they just talked about him so highly. They expect him to come in and play early, and schematically, they do a lot of things we do, defensively. So I think both guys will get a chance to contribute early on.”
Burruss says that he’ll miss his teammates he’s played with for the last four years, and adds that he’s thankful for Hennigan’s presence the last two seasons.
“Coach Hennigan came in here, not knowing all of us, and he turned our whole program around,” Burruss said. “What I’m really looking forward to is that Michigan game next year, I’m excited to step on the field and face them.”
Taylor echoes the sentiment of missing playing for Cookeville, as he’s proud to represent his hometown.
“I love Cookeville, I bleed red, white and blue,” Taylor said. “I’m looking forward to taking what I’ve learned and making it better at the next level. I’m just excited for the opportunity.”
