Baldwin County has always been full of athletic talent, and a plethora of players from the area have gone on to have successful careers at the collegiate and/or professional level.
So in this …
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Baldwin County has always been full of athletic talent, and a plethora of players from the area have gone on to have successful careers at the collegiate and/or professional level.
So in this weekly series, I’ll be highlighting how former local stars fared each week, breaking down their performances and how their respective careers are progressing.
If I’ve missed anybody that I should be including, don’t hesitate to contact parker@gulfcoastmedia.com and I’ll add them to the list.
In this first edition, we take a look at Gulf Shores' Ronnie Royal III's productive day with NC State (which included a bone-rattling hit), how Fairhope's Caden Creel fared in Jax State’s season-opener and much more:
Indianapolis Colts | Quarterback | Second Season
High School: Fairhope Pirates
Previous Game: 25-16 L vs. Detroit Lions
Personal Stats: 48 passing yards, 43% completion, 3 rushing yards
In the Colts’ final preseason game, Leonard split time with Anthony Richardson and Easton Stick as the former Pirate wrapped up a strong preseason.
Next Game: vs. Baltimore Ravens | 12:00 p.m. | Sunday, Sept. 13
Riley Leonard
Indianapolis Colts
Denver Broncos | Cornerback | Third Season
High School: Spanish Fort Toros
Previous Game: 34-6 W vs. Minnesota Vikings
Personal Stats: 1 tackle, 1 pass breakup
Concluding another preseason with Denver, Abrams-Draine played sparingly against the Vikings.
An incredibly important opener against Kansas City now looms…
Next Game: @ Kansas City Chiefs | 7:15 p.m. | Monday, Sept. 14
NC State Wolfpack | Safety | Junior
High School: Gulf Shores Dolphins
Previous Game: 34-8 L @ Virginia Cavaliers
Personal Stats: 7 tackles, 1 pass breakup, 0.5 sacks
Despite the rough result, Royal tied for second on the team in tackles and largely shined against the Cavaliers.
The former Dolphin also notably delivered a bone-rattling hit during the first half to break up a would-be completion.
Next Game: vs. Richmond Spiders | 6:00 p.m. | Friday, Sept. 11
Jacksonville State Gamecocks | Quarterback | Redshirt-Junior
High School: Fairhope Pirates
Previous Game: 33-7 L @ North Dakota State Bison
Personal Stats: 85 passing yards, 52% completion, 44 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Beginning his first season as the full-time starter, Creel had a solid outing against the newly promoted Bison but didn’t receive a ton of help from his offense as a whole.
He and the Gamecocks still have all of their preseason goals in front of them, with a Conference USA Championship being at the top of the list.
Next Game: vs. Eastern Kentucky Colonels | 6:00 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5
Alabama State Hornets | Wide Receiver | Sophomore
High School: Spanish Fort Toros
Previous Game(s): 30-17 W vs. Southern Jaguars
Personal Stats: 1 catch, 10 receiving yards, 2 punt returns for 62 total yards, 1 return touchdown called back
After earning All-SWAC Second Team honors for his explosive abilities in the return game, Hixon maintained that standard to start off his 2026 campaign.
He also brought a punt back for a touchdown, but it was unfortunately called off due to a flag.
Next Game: vs. Lane College Dragons | 5:00 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5
Southeast Louisiana Lions | Defensive Back | Redshirt-Freshman
High School: Gulf Shores Dolphins
Previous Game: 34-28 L vs. Houston Christian Huskies
Personal Stats: 5 tackles
After posting a pair of tackles during a redshirt season in 2025, Byrd already eclipsed that number (with two solo) as he opened the season against Houston Christian.
Next Game: @ South Alabama Jaguars | 6:00 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5
Nicholls Colonels | Wide Receiver | Senior
High School: Spanish Fort Toros
Previous Game(s): 44-10 W vs. Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
Personal Stats: 1 catch, 11 receiving yards
After transferring from Louisiana-Monroe this offseason, Godfrey recorded his first catch as a Colonel while his side cruised to an easy win.
Next Game: @ Kansas State Wildcats | 6:00 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5
Southern Jaguars | Running Back | Senior
High School: Spanish Fort Toros
Previous Game(s): 30-17 L vs. Alabama State Hornets
Personal Stats: 3 carries, 34 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
Now at this fourth collegiate stop, Franklin found the end zone and made use of his limited touches to kick off his ’26 campaign with the Jaguars in the Birmingham Football Classic.
Next Game: vs. Kentucky State Thorobreds | 6:00 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5
West Alabama Tigers | Linebacker | Graduate Student
High School: Baldwin County Tigers
Previous Game(s): 27-17 W vs. Tuskegee Tigers
Personal Stats: 1 tackle
After breaking into the rotation last season, Williams recorded a tackle against Tuskegee to begin his 2026 campaign in the Red Tails Classic.
Next Game: @ Lenoir-Rhyne Bears | 2:00 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5
Miles College Bears | Edge Rusher | Redshirt-Sophomore
High School: Gulf Shores Dolphins
Previous Game(s): 56-7 L @ Alcorn State Braves
Personal Stats: 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack
After transferring from North Alabama, Lowe finished second on the team in tackles as he started his career with Miles College on the right foot.
Next Game: @ Alabama A&M Bulldogs | 6:00 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5
Miles College Bears | Wide Receiver | Freshman
High School: Daphne Trojans
Previous Game(s): 56-7 L @ Alcorn State Braves
Personal Stats: 1 catch, 10 receiving yards
The 6-foot-2 Gardner recorded a catch in his first action for the Bears.
Next Game: @ Alabama A&M Bulldogs | 6:00 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5
Miles College Bears | Wide Receiver | Freshman
High School: Daphne Trojans
Previous Game(s): 56-7 L @ Alcorn State Braves
Personal Stats: 1 catch, 19 receiving yards
Yet another Baldwin County alum at Miles, this Myles got onto the stat sheet with a reception much like his former high school teammate Gardner.
Next Game: @ Alabama A&M Bulldogs | 6:00 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5
Delta State Statesmen | Running Back | Redshirt-Sophomore
High School: Daphne Trojans
Previous Game(s): 52-0 L @ Northeastern State Riverhawks
Personal Stats: 6 carries, 13 rushing yards, 1 catch, 3 receiving yards
Looking to build off a productive 2025 campaign with the Statesmen, Clark surprisingly didn’t get to touch the ball much in his team’s opening loss.
Next Game: vs. Wingate University Bulldogs | 6:00 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5
Ohio Dominican Panthers | Kicker | Sophomore
High School: Spanish Fort Toros
Previous Game(s): 42-40 W (3OT) @ Morehead State Eagles
Personal Stats: 0/2 field goal attempts, 4/5 extra point attempts, 2 touchbacks
Kicking off his second season with the Panthers, Lytle helped the Panthers win a wild opener against a larger program in Morehead State.
Next Game: @ Edinboro Scots | 7:00 p.m. | Thursday, Sept. 3
