With the college football season just a day away, a host of former Newton County athletes will begin their road to glory this fall. The following is an update on where some of our hometown heroes are playing this season, as well as how they did a year ago:
Akeem Hunt, Newton
– Hunt appeared in all 13 games for the Boilermakers as a reserve last season, rushing for 335 yards and two touchdowns on 42 attempts.
The former Newton Ram also caught 13 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns.
Hunt averaged 22.2 yards per kickoff return a season ago, returning 39 kickoffs for 867 yards and a score.
The Covington native averaged 108.3 all-purpose yards a contest for Purdue last season.
Hunt and the Boilermakers will begin their season on Aug. 31 against Cincinnati.
Devon Mann, Newton
– Mann begins his sophomore season with Morehouse College in 2013, opening the season against Howard University at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 7.
Mann led Morehouse in receiving yardage a season ago, hauling in 22 catches in 10 games for 495 yards. Mann’s 495 yard total was 184 more yards than any other receiver on the team.
The Newton High product averaged 22.5 yards a catch along with five touchdowns, average 49.6 receiving yards a contest in 2012.
Zac Johnston, Eastside
– Johnston begins his red-shirt junior season for Charleston Southern this fall.
Johnston played in all 11 games and started 10 contests at linebacker for the Buccaneers, last season, finishing third on the team with 42 total tackles.
Johnston compiled six tackles-for-loss a year ago, closing the 2012 season with a season-high eight tackles against Coastal Carolina.
Johnston and Charleston Southern open the 2013 season on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. against The Citadel.
Broderick Alexander, Eastside
– Entering his season senior with Akron, Alexander and the Zips will begin their season on Aug. 29 on the road against the University of Central Florida.
The Eastside product saw action in six games a year ago at fullback.
If The Covington News failed to mention any area athletes now playing college football, feel free to email us at msmith@covnews.com with the details.
