Three senior football players from Southeast High School are set to take on a new chapter in their lives as they sign letters of intent to play at colleges in Iowa. Myreon Lowe and Caleb Steele have committed to William Penn University in Oskaloosa, while LaDavion Johnson will join Clarke University in Dubuque. This transition marks a significant step for the trio, who will be moving over 1,300 miles away from home.
On National Signing Day, the players celebrated their commitments alongside numerous athletes from the Manatee School District. “It’s going to be a new adventure,” Lowe stated, reflecting on the opportunities that await him. “See new things. Meet new people. Ultimately help me become a better player, better person.”
Johnson, who has already experienced a taste of his new environment, noted, “Saw snow for the first time,” a stark contrast to their home state. With winter temperatures expected to drop significantly, the players are eager for the challenges ahead.
Their camaraderie plays a crucial role in this journey. Lowe and Steele, who have been friends since their freshman year, found mutual support in their decision to attend the same university. “I could’ve gone anywhere, but once I got the opportunity to play ball with my brother, I gotta take that,” Steele explained.
This strong support network will be vital as they navigate the pressures of college football. “When we get homesick, one of us will have to tell the other, ‘Hey, man, we gotta keep working. We gotta keep our heads level. We got somewhere to be,’” said Steele. Early morning practices will require them to hold each other accountable. “We gotta wake up at 5 a.m. for practice? If I don’t want to wake up, he’ll make me wake up,” Lowe added.
Their head coach, Curt Bradley, has also been instrumental in guiding the players through both their athletic and financial decisions. “When it’s not a D-1 full scholarship, there’s lots to contend with – academic money, football money,” he noted. “They don’t want to put themselves in financial handcuffs for the future.” Bradley expressed confidence in their potential, highlighting their strong attendance in off-season workouts and regular practices.
While the transition will present challenges, Bradley emphasized the importance of leaving home. “It is quite a ways and cold,” he remarked with a grin, “but these guys are going to make it.”
Interestingly, the three players will also face each other on the field, as both William Penn and Clarke compete in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Johnson expressed enthusiasm about their future matchups: “That’s going to be fun. I’ll be in touch with them, see how they’re doing. But when that game comes? Gonna be a different story.”
Lowe added, “He’s going to try to run me over,” showcasing their friendly rivalry that will develop as their college careers unfold.
In addition to Lowe, Steele, and Johnson, several other athletes from Southeast High signed commitments, including Jaeda Dean to the State College of Florida for volleyball, Liam Fernandez to SUNY Maritime College for football, and Layla Holmbeck to SCF for volleyball, among others.
Other schools in the area also celebrated their athletes’ commitments. Parrish Community High School had signees in various sports, including Wesley Anderson (baseball) and Mia Davis (beach volleyball). Manatee High School’s athletes included Xander Arias (baseball) and Ronin Dangler (football), while Palmetto High saw signees in softball and football.
Braden River High did not report any signees this year, while Lakewood Ranch will hold its signing day in April, according to Athletic Director Kent Ringquist.
As these young athletes prepare for their next steps, their determination and commitment to their sports shine through, promising exciting futures on and off the field.
