BleedGopher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 62,384
- Reaction score
- 19,194
- Points
- 113
per the Clayton News Daily: From Mundy’s Mill to the Big Ten, Rodney Smith and Jonathan Celestin share special bond
Back in the fall of 2014, two Clayton County football players made the 1,400-mile journey to the University of Minnesota to continue their careers, with neither knowing quite what to expect.
Football was easy for Rodney Smith and Jonathan Celestin — Smith was named Offensive Player of the Year and Celestin Defensive Player of the Year by the Clayton News following the 2013 high school season. Even so, hitting the gridiron in Minnesota as opposed to Georgia was something neither player was ready for at the time.
Yet, the former Mundy’s Mill High standouts have made on just fine at their new home. Smith was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team after rushing for more than 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Celestin led the Golden Gophers with 79 tackles. Both players were selected as team captains heading into the 2017 season.
From Jonesboro to Minneapolis, not much has changed for Smith and Celestin.
“We always bring it up, like we never would have thought we would both be here in Minnesota at the D-I level doing the things we’re doing right now,” said Celestin. “It’s kind of crazy. We’re one of the few on the team that have actually played with each other because not many people are able to grow up with somebody in middle and high school and be able to still play with them in college.”
http://www.news-daily.com/sports/te...cle_c4c19d6a-a2c4-5508-996e-b31c5d1772c9.html
Go Gophers!!
Back in the fall of 2014, two Clayton County football players made the 1,400-mile journey to the University of Minnesota to continue their careers, with neither knowing quite what to expect.
Football was easy for Rodney Smith and Jonathan Celestin — Smith was named Offensive Player of the Year and Celestin Defensive Player of the Year by the Clayton News following the 2013 high school season. Even so, hitting the gridiron in Minnesota as opposed to Georgia was something neither player was ready for at the time.
Yet, the former Mundy’s Mill High standouts have made on just fine at their new home. Smith was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team after rushing for more than 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Celestin led the Golden Gophers with 79 tackles. Both players were selected as team captains heading into the 2017 season.
From Jonesboro to Minneapolis, not much has changed for Smith and Celestin.
“We always bring it up, like we never would have thought we would both be here in Minnesota at the D-I level doing the things we’re doing right now,” said Celestin. “It’s kind of crazy. We’re one of the few on the team that have actually played with each other because not many people are able to grow up with somebody in middle and high school and be able to still play with them in college.”
http://www.news-daily.com/sports/te...cle_c4c19d6a-a2c4-5508-996e-b31c5d1772c9.html
Go Gophers!!