Whitwell High School senior Tyler Tate (6-0, 165) has had a dream of playing college football since his first days in youth football at the age of seven.
His dream has come true as the quarterback/safety will sign scholarship papers with Cumberland University (Lebanon, Tenn.) Wednesday.
"I am excited for the opportunity to play college football and am thankful the Cumberland coaching staff believes in me," said Tate who led the Tigers to a 6-5 season this past fall and a first round berth in the playoffs.
Cumberland Univ., a member of the Mid South Conference, has had winning seasons, five of the last six years, including 6-5 this past fall.
Tate had a combined 1,000 yard season as a senior this past fall, rushing for 623 yards and 12 touchdowns and passed for 420 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions.
His best game rushing was in the season opener against Mount Juliet Christian Academy as he rushed for 189 yards on eight carries and four touchdowns.
His season high in passing was 111 yards against Middle Tennessee Christian.
"I have played quarterback and safety for the past four years for Whitwell and look forward for the the opportunity to compete for the quarterback position at Cumberland in the fall," said Tate, who carries a 3.5 grade point average in the classroom, and has earned four letters in football and is in his fourth year on the varsity baseball team.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net