COVINGTON, Ga. — In a ceremony for just Rodney Williams on Feb. 10, the senior Eagle officially signed his scholarship to Fort Valley State University. The scholarship is for Williams to join the football program beginning in the fall.

When Williams put pen to paper, the stage was filled with family support. 

His dad, Rodney Williams Sr., mom Nathalie and sisters Jasmine and Ariana were seated around Williams as he signed. 

For Williams, that made the moment even more of a celebration. 

“Just knowing they always have my back through my whole career is very special,” Williams said. “They never gave up on me. Even when opportunities weren’t shown, they were there telling me, ‘It’s going to come.’”

Williams’ opportunity did, in fact, come by way of Fort Valley State. 

And, just like family has played a huge part in his high school career, Williams stressed how he received the same feeling upon visiting the campus. 

“When I first visited, it was really like a family,” Williams said. “They showed me love and they have my major, too. That was very important to me to not only be a part of the football team, but also focus on my academic goals.” 

Williams plans to major in agriculture engineering upon his arrival on campus. The whole purpose of deciding on that major goes back to his love of being on a farm.

He plans to use his major to adequately work on farming equipment and doing whatever he can to help farmers out everywhere. 

Nevertheless, Williams realized just how important Eastside has benefitted him during his time as an Eagle.

He stressed the pivotal role each coach played the past four years of his life. 

“My coaches have really pushed me,” Williams said. “And they love you. You know it’s a different type of coaching when they love you, because you know they want the best for you.”