HARLINGEN — Two of the Valley’s best pass rushers are headed to the college level.
Harlingen South’s Brandon Bennett and Sky Tatum both signed letters of intent Wednesday to play football at TexasLutheran University in Seguin. Tatum will also run track.
“It’s exciting to see both of them go to the next level,” said Hawks football coach Brian Ricci. “They’re both very exciting players to watch and they’re similar players size wise, and with what they can do on the football field. But I’m more impressed with the way they conduct themselves off the field and in the classroom. I think they will be a big asset and TLU is lucky to have them.”
Bennett began varsity football as a sophomore and became one of the Valley’s top defensive ends. He also played basketball during his four years at South and plans to get a bachelor’s degree in engineering and pursue a master’s in business administration.
“I liked the atmosphere and the program is up and coming,” Bennett said of TLU. “I’m excited to be a part of a program that is up and coming. I’m going to stick to defensive end because that’s where they will keep me. Ever since I picked up a football, I wanted to play at the next level.”
Tatum was also excited on Wednesday and ready to take his athletic talents to Seguin.
“I liked the location and the coaching staff was great. I’ll be able to play both of the sports I love and I’ll be going to college with one of my best friends,” he said. “Being able to play with Brandon at the next level is going to be fun. We talked about it together and we knew it was the right fit for us. TLU has a pre-engineering program that I wanted to attend and that is what I plan on majoring in.”
This season both Bennett and Tatum were named first-team all-district along with being named to the Valley Morning Star’s All-STAR first-team defense.
