Bittersweet day for top recruit

HELENA-WEST HELENA — National signing day is supposed to be a ready-made happy ending to the recruiting process.

Life doesn't always work that way.

Even as peers and teachers cheered his signing of a national letter of intent with the Arkansas Razorbacks, Helena-West Helena Central cornerback Darius Winston was subdued Wednesday, his mind elsewhere.

Winston awoke Wednesday to learn that his grandmother, Estella Willie, had died in her sleep Tuesday night. She was 68.

Winston initially called Helena-West Helena Coach Russell Smith to say he wouldn't be attending the signing ceremony inside the high school's gym.But Winston later changed his mind, saying he did so to honor his grandmother.

"It made today more special," Winston said. "I know my grandmother was really waiting for this day. My grandma was really waiting for this day, and I know I still made her really proud."

"It just breaks your heart," Arkansas running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Tim Horton said. "Last night she had shown Darius the new red sweater she was going to wear to the signing party today."

Winston had a friend close at hand Wednesday. Joining him in signing with Arkansas was linebacker/safety Turell Williams, who teamed with Winston in leading the Cougars into the Class 5A state championship game.

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"He's like a brother to me," Williams said. "I told him I was there for him if he needed me for anything. That's what I'm here for."

Winston, 6-0, 175 pounds, 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash, finished his senior season with 46 tackles and eight interceptions and played in the U.S. Army All-American Game. Williams, 6-2, 215, 4.52, was used primarily as a running back, posting 1,402 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. He projects as a defensive player at Arkansas.

"They say when you go to college and play football, it's like a 24-7 job," Williams said. "It's not 8-to-5 or anything like that, so I'm willing to do what I have to do.

"This is my dream. This is my life. This is what I want to do."

Both are excited about their college years, but if there was a common thread between the two Wednesday it was the relief of the process being over.

"I'm real happy to have all this over with," Winston said."It's been a long road. You get offered by 35 schools, and it's kind of hard to pick where you want to go."

Williams wasn't as highly touted as Winston but seemed equally worn out.

"I don't know what I'm happier about more, going to UA or the recruiting process being over," he said. "I mean, it's all cool, but it's also a tough task."

Fortunately, both had help. Winston and Williams were joined by three other teammates who signed their own letters of intent: Defensive tackle Jeffrey Amey (Arkansas-Pine Bluff ), defensive end Eric Smiley (Ole Miss) and free safety Edwin Goldsberry (Butler County Junior College in Kansas.)

"It's been like that all year long," Smith said. "These guys got highly recruited, and these guys got closer together."

No one appreciated that more Wednesday than Winston.

"I think he'll make it through," Williams said. "I just told him, dedicate it all to your grandmother."

Information for this article was contributed by Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.