Four Pelham football players signed scholarships Feb. 3 to play Division I football next season at the collegiate level.

Jake Holland, Nigel Terrell Carrington Lewis and Ryan Williams all signed their letters of intent during a National Signing Day party at Pelham High School.

Holland, who was selected as the 2009 Shelby County Reporter Player of the Year, stuck with the commitment he made in the spring and signed with Auburn University.

“I fell in love with the place,” Holland said. “I’m just glad to be an Auburn Tiger.”

In addition to being recruited, Holland also spent much time recruiting for the Tigers, including a late push where Holland reached out to several Auburn prospects in final 24 hours before signing day.

Holland’s efforts paid off as the Tigers landed the No. 3 recruiting class in the nation.

Terrell also committed early, but a late push by Colorado left the hybrid defensive end/linebacker with a tough choice. In the end, Terrell stuck with his original commitment and will attend Florida State in the fall.

“I knew the coaches pretty and when I talked with them, they needed some linebackers and they liked my speed,” Terrell said.

Lewis also made his choice early, committing to play for the Naval Academy.

“It just felt like home to me,” Lewis said. “They welcomed me in and it is going to be a great place to get an education.”

Like Holland, Lewis also did some recruiting.

However, Lewis didn’t have to go far to help recruit for Navy as teammate Ryan Williams also decided to go with the Midshipmen.

“The coaching staff really impressed me,” Williams said. “But my decision was a straight spiritual decision.”

Pelham head coach Brett Burnett said in addition to great football players, Auburn, Florida State and the Navy are going to get four great men.

“I don’t think you could have four more classier guys than we have here at Pelham said,” Burnett said.