Coaches, teammates, friends, parents, teachers, and more were on hand at Rome High School’s Performing Arts Center on Wednesday afternoon as four athletes who have left an indelible mark on Rome High officially signed their letters of intent to continue their education and athletic career in college.
Jaedon Harmon, Maddie Oates, Rhyon Sykes, and Elise Woodell have all been stalwarts for the Wolves during their high school careers and now look forward to continuing their education while also competing collegiately.
Harmon, who is a consensus four-star recruit and one of the top-rated linebackers in the country, signed to play football for the University of Tennessee.
Harmon has wreaked havoc on the gridiron for Rome for four seasons, saving his best for his senior year. Harmon, already a dominant middle linebacker who was a Class 6A All-State selection as a junior, added an extra wrinkle this season by serving as Rome High’s Wildcat quarterback in certain situations.
As a linebacker, Harmon amassed 89 tackles, five sacks, one fumble recovery, and one interception. As a quarterback, Harmon rushed for more than 225 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Harmon was named the Region 5-5A Most Valuable Player, the Rome News-Tribune Player of the Year, and was also named a top 15 finalist for Georgia’s Mr. Football Award.
“I visited Tennessee the most. When I went there in ninth grade with a teammate, I had no offers but they treated me like I was an important recruit. I feel like I can see myself becoming the best version of myself at Tennessee,” Harmon said. “I’m hoping to be a day one starter, make an impact, and make Rome proud. It just feels good to realize that all the hard work I put in has helped me get here.”
Harmon said he is considering majoring in Sports Medicine or business.
Oates signed to play volleyball for the United States Coast Guard Academy.
Oates played a pivotal role for the volleyball team the past four seasons. This year she helped the team finish 22-15 while earning second-team Region 5-5A honors. Oates tallied 375 assists, 136 kills, and 98 aces this season.
“The Coast Guard Academy had the major I wanted and they are very focused on academics. They also have a mission of service and that spoke to me,” Oates said. “I’ve been trying to be recruited since junior year and putting in a lot of work to get better. I’m excited to be able to play volleyball in college.”
Oates said the major she is interested in is Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
“With that major your senior year you get to design a ship and actually show your proposal to the Coast Guard to possibly build it,” she said. “I’d like to design boats and ships for a living.”
Sykes much like Harmon caused opposing offenses to quiver the past few years. Playing safety, Sykes made it tough on op[opposing quarterbacks to complete passes while also coming up and making lots of big tackles. For the season, Sykes tallied 60 tackles and two interceptions, earning him Region 5-5A Co-defensive Player of the Year honors. Sykes signed to play football for Boston College.
“Boston College felt like home when I went up there. They were welcoming,” Sykes said. “I’m hoping to play and make an impact quick. I want to be able to get on the field and get better.”
Sykes said he is interested in majoring in business at Boston College. When asked about the different climate between Boston and Rome, Sykes said he knew it would be cold but that he knew it wasn’t going to phase him.
Both Harmon and Sykes were key cogs for the Wolves as the duo helped lead the squad to four consecutive region championships.
Rome High Football Coach John Reid mentioned when he was introducing Sykes and Harmon that in his 10 years coaching at the school, the Wolves have had at least one player sign with a Division I school each year and all told have put close to 100 players in college with football scholarships.
Wooddell signed with the University of Georgia on Wednesday to run cross country and track.
Wooddell truly blazed a trial this fall dominating competitions throughout the state. Her long list of accomplishments includes winning the Ridge Ferry Invitational, the Region 5-5A title, and the Rome All-Area Cross Country Meet. She placed second in the Class 5A Sectional Meet as well as the Wingfoot Classic and topped her season off by placing third in the Class 5A State Cross Country Meet.
Last spring, she placed eighth in the 1,600 meters at the Class 6A State Track and Field Meet and 15th in the 800 meters. Woodell holds the school record in the 1,600 meters and the 5K. She is also part of the school record-holding 4x800 meter relay team.
“I think living in Georgia, everyone always asks me if I’m going to go to UGA. I didn’t think I would have that opportunity but the coach called me and I got to tour the campus. It just really set in stone for me,” Wooddell said. “This season meant a lot to me because it’s the first season I’ve had where I wasn’t injured. Being able to go in and train the way I wanted to train and having a good team to support me was great. I think it was a perfect senior season for me.”
Wooddell says she is planning to major in nutrition, but that she’s not setting any big goals for running in college.
“I’m putting zero expectations on myself because running in the SEC is going to be a big challenge. I just want to do the best I can, meet new people, and have fun,” she said.
Wednesday was early signing day, and Rome Athletic Director Chris Boen noted more athletes will be signing either during regular signing day or later in the spring.