EW grad Hite signs to play football at St. Andrews University

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 12, 2016 1:47 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Not many Chicago-born kids wind up in Goldsboro.

Austin Hite did.

And it's a move he certainly won't forget any time soon.

Hite joined a football system that featured some of Wayne County's most-talented players. He befriended them, quietly studied their every move and it paid a highly-anticipated dividend.

The Eastern Wayne senior, who graduated Saturday morning, signed a national letter-of-intent to continue his football career at St. Andrews University.

Hite placed himself in a unique situation, too.

The Knights won't play their first official game until 2017.

"I think it's going to be great," said Hite, who received interest from Greensboro College until Coach (Bill) Young left the Division III school to join the SAU staff.

"I just really like the feeling that I'm going to be one of the first (players) to put on a jersey for them, first receiver and possibly the first person to score for the school."

Hite remained skeptical about his decision.

Although the Knights plan to conduct daily practices and hold intra-squad scrimmages, Hite wondered if he could adjust to college life, handle the classwork and make friends.

Two friends put him at ease.

Rosewood's talented and record-setting tandem of Marquail Al-montaser and Mike Woodard also signed with the Knights.

"That's even more of a plus," Hite said.

A quiet and unknown talent who played behind athletic and speedy receivers during his sophomore and junior seasons, Hite patiently waited for his turn. He soaked up the knowledge like a sponge from Day-Day Pridgen, KK Best, Deshaun Boudy, Malik Richard -- teammates he had played with since they started football in the Wee Warriors' program.

The quartet taught Hite one valuable lesson.

"I learned that when I had a chance to take it (a starting spot) not to let anybody else take it," Hite said. "They said that whatever I wanted I had to go get it. (This year) we didn't have the firepower that we used to (have).

"I had to step up and make plays."

Hite ranked among the area's top 10 players in receiving this past fall. He reeled in 28 catches for 510 yards and eight touchdowns for the Warriors, who logged a 4-7 worksheet.

Eastern Wayne's previous two campaigns resulted in back-to-back trips to the eastern 3-A regional championship and consecutive 11-win seasons.

Former Ferrum (Va.) College coach David Harper will direct the SAU program, which will compete in the NAIA Mid-South Conference, according to its website. The school also completes in the Appalachian Athletic Conference in other sports.

"I've got the whole year to get ready, so I'm going to work on my strengths and definitely work on my weaknesses," Hite said. "I've got to catch all of the balls that hit my hands, run crisp routes, get faster, get bigger.

"I don't want my first year to be a bust."