The Meridian Star
<span class="pub_date">February 3, 2010</span><h3>Signing Witt...?</h3><div id="story_features"><div id="big_ad" class="big_ad noprint">
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Lamar quarterback Witt Haggard threw for 3,798 yards and 55 touchdowns this past season. <span class="photo_credit">PAULA MERRITT / THE MERIDIAN STAR</span> </p>
[/list]</div></div><div id="story_body" class="user_sized"><h4 class="subhead">Lamar’s Haggard still deciding on college choice </h4><p class="story_meta"><span class="story_credit">By Jamie Wachter / Sports Editor</span> <span class="story_source">The Meridian Star</span> </p>
MERIDIAN — Witt Haggard racked up yards, touchdowns and wins.
However, for all his success on the football field for Lamar, the Raiders’ quarterback didn’t accumulate many college offers.
So, when National Signing Day rolls around today, Haggard isn’t planning on inking his commitment to anyone.
“I’m not sure I’m going to sign (today) or not,” he said. “I’m a little surprised, especially when I got that second-team All-State, I thought maybe some more would come with that.
“But, I’m not going to let any of it get me down, the ones I have right now are great places and I just hope I pick the right one.”
After the season — during which Haggard threw for 3,798 yards and 51 touchdowns while adding 935 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground in guiding Lamar to the MAIS Class AA championship game — the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has garnered offers from Delta State and East Mississippi Community College.
“I think right now he’s not real sure what he wants to do,” Lamar coach Mac Barnes said. “I think he’s just going to give it a little bit more time.
“I don’t think there’s any question that I think he can play at any level. I’ve shared this pretty openly that I’m pretty disappointed in the way the recruiting has been handled. I don’t think we had any four-year college at any of our games this year. It seems to me that the colleges are recruiting through their camps, and making a lot of their decisions before the senior year, and I disagree with that.
“We’re just trying to be patient and it’s getting harder and harder to do.”
Added Haggard: “Delta State and East Mississippi have both offered me and have sent me the scholarship stuff. I’ve kind of already told Delta State I wasn’t going to do any of that, because I think I’d have a better chance at EMCC if I go the football route.
“I’m trying to think real hard about it.”
Still, there is more for Haggard to consider.
With his senior season on the baseball diamond about to start, Haggard also has attracted interest as a pitcher and a catcher. Meridian Community College has offered, EMCC has offered the opportunity to play both sports and Southern Miss is keeping an eye on the right-hander as well.
It all adds up to a tough call.
“It’s so hard because I’ve always played them both and I want to make the right decision,” he said. “With baseball season not even starting yet, I don’t know what will come of that, so it’s hard to say I want to sign this week.
“I doubt I’ll end up playing both. I had not planned on that. I’ll probably just stick with one.”
One thing that won’t affect Haggard’s decision, though, is the Major League Baseball First-Year Entry Draft. While Haggard’s catching ability have caught the attention of pro scouts, he said that is one decision that can wait.
“It would really be a big thing if I got drafted,” he added. “I’ve actually talked to a couple of people that have had scouts talking to them and, pretty much, the idea is you can always sign with a college and when the draft comes, if you get drafted you can just leave.
“I’m not even really worried about the draft right now. If it happens, I’ll decide then.”
Meanwhile, there is the other decision — which sport to play and what school to attend — that can’t.
“I’ve got to make a decision on a college right now,” Haggard added. “I’m probably just going to try and go as long as I can and just try to make the right decision.”</p></div>
<span class="pub_date">February 3, 2010</span><h3>Signing Witt...?</h3><div id="story_features"><div id="big_ad" class="big_ad noprint">
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Lamar quarterback Witt Haggard threw for 3,798 yards and 55 touchdowns this past season. <span class="photo_credit">PAULA MERRITT / THE MERIDIAN STAR</span> </p>
[/list]</div></div><div id="story_body" class="user_sized"><h4 class="subhead">Lamar’s Haggard still deciding on college choice </h4><p class="story_meta"><span class="story_credit">By Jamie Wachter / Sports Editor</span> <span class="story_source">The Meridian Star</span> </p>MERIDIAN — Witt Haggard racked up yards, touchdowns and wins.
However, for all his success on the football field for Lamar, the Raiders’ quarterback didn’t accumulate many college offers.
So, when National Signing Day rolls around today, Haggard isn’t planning on inking his commitment to anyone.
“I’m not sure I’m going to sign (today) or not,” he said. “I’m a little surprised, especially when I got that second-team All-State, I thought maybe some more would come with that.
“But, I’m not going to let any of it get me down, the ones I have right now are great places and I just hope I pick the right one.”
After the season — during which Haggard threw for 3,798 yards and 51 touchdowns while adding 935 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground in guiding Lamar to the MAIS Class AA championship game — the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has garnered offers from Delta State and East Mississippi Community College.
“I think right now he’s not real sure what he wants to do,” Lamar coach Mac Barnes said. “I think he’s just going to give it a little bit more time.
“I don’t think there’s any question that I think he can play at any level. I’ve shared this pretty openly that I’m pretty disappointed in the way the recruiting has been handled. I don’t think we had any four-year college at any of our games this year. It seems to me that the colleges are recruiting through their camps, and making a lot of their decisions before the senior year, and I disagree with that.
“We’re just trying to be patient and it’s getting harder and harder to do.”
Added Haggard: “Delta State and East Mississippi have both offered me and have sent me the scholarship stuff. I’ve kind of already told Delta State I wasn’t going to do any of that, because I think I’d have a better chance at EMCC if I go the football route.
“I’m trying to think real hard about it.”
Still, there is more for Haggard to consider.
With his senior season on the baseball diamond about to start, Haggard also has attracted interest as a pitcher and a catcher. Meridian Community College has offered, EMCC has offered the opportunity to play both sports and Southern Miss is keeping an eye on the right-hander as well.
It all adds up to a tough call.
“It’s so hard because I’ve always played them both and I want to make the right decision,” he said. “With baseball season not even starting yet, I don’t know what will come of that, so it’s hard to say I want to sign this week.
“I doubt I’ll end up playing both. I had not planned on that. I’ll probably just stick with one.”
One thing that won’t affect Haggard’s decision, though, is the Major League Baseball First-Year Entry Draft. While Haggard’s catching ability have caught the attention of pro scouts, he said that is one decision that can wait.
“It would really be a big thing if I got drafted,” he added. “I’ve actually talked to a couple of people that have had scouts talking to them and, pretty much, the idea is you can always sign with a college and when the draft comes, if you get drafted you can just leave.
“I’m not even really worried about the draft right now. If it happens, I’ll decide then.”
Meanwhile, there is the other decision — which sport to play and what school to attend — that can’t.
“I’ve got to make a decision on a college right now,” Haggard added. “I’m probably just going to try and go as long as I can and just try to make the right decision.”</p></div>