By Myra Bean

Jemarcus Hardrick buckled down at Ft. Scott, Kan. and graduated with a 3.0 gpa.

Then he signed a national letter of intent to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers the remainder of his college eligibility on Wednesday.

Ft. Scott played in the NJCAA National Chamionship – Citizens Bank Bowl – game on December 6 and lost 31-26 to Blinn on a returned punt for the lead and touchdown with less than 30 seconds left in the game.

Hardrick received first team honors this year and second team honors last year for his play on the team as a left tackle.

The 6’5”, 285-pounder first verbally committed to play at LSU, but Nebraska offered him immediate playing time.

In addition, Hardrick said Nebraska was the most “comfortable fit” for him. Though he did not specify, two Ft. Scott teammates are also going to Nebraska. He did his official visit the week before Thanksgiving and said the he was comfortable with the academics and coaches.

At the signing were his mother Deloris Hardrick, two best friends Quinn Sanford of University of Southern Mississippi and Jonathan Wilson of Northeast Community College and South Panola principal Dr. Matthew Dillon.

“He was in my first group of students when I started teaching in the seventh grade,” Dillon said.

“He made a great choice,” Wilson said. “I hope he continues the ride in football and academics at Nebraska.”

His mother was a little emotional at the signing but said she was very proud of him and that he would represent South Panola and Panola County well.

Hardrick is home now but will report to Nebraska January 11.