Three Goldsboro football players sign

By Cam Ellis
Published in Sports on May 21, 2015 1:48 PM

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It's been a busy spring for Goldsboro High School's football program.

Aside from beginning spring practice for the first time under first-year head coach Bennett Johnson, three seniors from the 2014 team committed to playing at the next level over the past couple days.

Joe Baker signed a national letter-of-intent with St. Augustine's University. Taylin Davis and Justin Nauceder each officially signed grant packages and will be teammates at N.C. Wesleyan College.

It's an impressive class considering the Cougars went 1-10 last season.

Baker, a two-sport standout, plans to play wide receiver for the Falcons. He had 48 receptions for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns. Committing to a university program provided its fair share of challenges.

The long -- and at times -- strenuous recruiting process for Baker is over. He's already received the Falcons' playbook and started an offseason conditioning program.

"I just liked the family atmosphere," Baker said. "They have a new coach and a new staff, so being able to be in the first recruiting class kind of stood out to me."

Part of the recruiting issues occurred when coaches who originally scouted Baker either changed jobs or were removed from their respective positions. Once he narrowed down his list, he felt comfortable with St. Augustine's.

Baker will be reunited with Goldsboro alum Julius Murphy, who is coming off of a red-shirt season. The two are close personal friends.

"It will be really cool," he said. "It'll help me get a jumpstart on learning the plays and understanding the playbook."

The two worked out together over the summer. Baker gives Murphy a lot of credit for sparking his interest in the school.

"Yeah, it had a lot of pull on me," he said. "Jules is a real good friend of mine. We've been friends since we were small, so he was a real big pull. It kind of gave an advantage over other schools."

As for Davis and Nauceder, both are heading to Wesleyan to help a team that went 5-5 overall and finished fifth in the nine-team USA South Conference.

Each is unsure about what position he'll play. Davis spent time at linebacker and tight end for the Cougars. Nauceder played on both lines, but is looking to emerge as the Battling Bishops' long snapper.

"It's going to be a transition when I get up there," Davis said. "We're just going to see what I can do best. I like to hit people, so I'd probably like to play linebacker."

The choice is more clear for Nauceder.

"I'd rather be long snapping," he said. "It's more of a skill position. You get a lot more looks (from NFL scouts) as a long snapper because that's an important role. There are a lot of NFL teams looking for long snappers."

Both Nauceder and Davis were intrigued by the small-school feel and proximity to Goldsboro that Wesleyan could offer. Only 48 miles away, the Division III school provides the chance to get out of the city they both grew up in without eliminating the possibility of returning every once in a while.

"I don't think I was ready for the big, 400-500 students in the classroom type things," Davis said. "I want to be known. I want to be known to the teachers."

Nauceder sees it as an opportunity to stay close to his young, growing family.

"Really, it came down to Greensboro or Wesleyan," he said, "because I wanted to be able to see my daughter. I want to be in her life, too, so it made sense stay a little local."