Bulldog Stephen Smith has agreed to further his education and football career with Carson Newman University as a walk on.

Family, friends, coaches and teammates met in the multi-purpose room at Claiborne High School to see Smith sign.

His parents, Mike and Jackie Smith, are excited to see what the future holds.

“I’m so proud and so glad he has achieved one of his goals and I’m even more happy that he will be at a nearby college,” said Jackie.

His father Mike added, “He has worked so very hard to get here and it’s the proudest moment of our lives.”

Smith didn’t play football until his freshman year and with his work effort he was able to transition into a very good player.

His head coach Nathan Medlin said, “Stephen is a very good player and he has always worked so hard. He likely out-works most on the team and he has a chance to have a role on special teams or move on up to play a position elsewhere at the college level. One thing about being a walk on is that even if he doesn’t see much playing time with the Eagles he may be noticed by another school and end up playing with them. Stephen is a great person on and off the field and I wish him the best.”

Smith will not participate in the spring practices but will see his very first collegiate practices during the fall.