High School Sports

By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer

ARP - Senior Sedrick Johnson is not going to Texas A&M as was originally forecast. Rather, the Arp Tigers multi-sport star is heading north to be an Iowa State Cyclone.

Ranked as a four-star football recruit by rivals.com, Johnson joined fellow Arp signees Chris Taliaferro (baseball, Stephen F. Austin), Randi Wymer (track, Stephen F. Austin) and Michael Clary (football, Harding University) Wednesday in the Arp High School library.

While the rest signed the commitment letters, Johnson signed a blank piece of paper, so he could be in the picture.

He then went behind the book shelves to talk on his cell phone, presumably to either Texas A&M or Iowa State. He left the library and returned 15 minutes later with a letter of intent and ball cap in hand.

With television cameras rolling and 20 or so coaches, faculty, students and family waiting in anticipation, Johnson donned the Iowa State cap.

"I feel really good about it and I want to give everybody a show," Johnson said.

"Like T.O. (Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens) says, 'Get your popcorn ready.'"

According to Iowa State's signing day list, Johnson is the top players the Cyclones captured.

"I want to be part of the rebuilding process that they want (to do)," Johnson said he understands that Texas A&M fans may not like him changing from his verbal commitment, but he felt Iowa State was the right place for him.

"I had to go with my heart. They are not going there, I am the one that has to go there for about four or five years, so I made my decision."

Johnson, who is also an All-East Texas basketball player, said Iowa State will allow him to play both football and basketball.

"This is good because you know, you are just one step away from making millions (in the pros)," Johnson said. "I am going to try and do my best."

Keeping everyone guessing until the final hour, Pittsburg's Kendall Wright signed a letter of intent with Baylor.

Wright, who will play receiver for the Bears, made his final decision right before putting pen to paper.

"We were glad for him," Pittsburg head coach Robert Manley said. "It was a great choice for him. He can be effective there. They want to use him immediately."

Wright was also recruited by Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Arkansas. He's also a star basketball player for the Pirates, and may play that sport for Baylor.

"I guess he just felt comfortable about Baylor," Manley said. "Once he got down there and visited, I think he really liked that. It wasn't a long way away.

"From day one they said he could play receiver, and that's what he wanted to do."

- Shane Stark

ARP SIGNEES: From left, Sedrick Johnson (Iowa State, football), Chris Taliaferro (Stephen F. Austin, baseball), Randi Wymer (Stephen F. Austin, track), and Michael Clary, (Harding University, football) sign scholarships Wednesday at Arp High School.
((Staff Photo By Chris Parry))