SPANISH FORT – Two Toros signed scholarship papers on National Signing Day last week.

Cross-country and track runner Anna Jarman signed with Mississippi State and classmate Taylor Burnett signed to play football with West Alabama.

Spanish Fort athletic director and head football coach Bryant Vincent said his offensive lineman was a big part of the Toros 11-2 run to the state quarterfinals last season. He was also happy for his college alma mater.

“They are getting a truly great deal,” he said.”Taylor is a great student-athlete. He possesses a lot of tools as a player. he’s six-four, 250 pounds. He has great feet for his size and all the college scouts were impressed with that, his mobility and quickness and he has the potential to be a great player for West Alabama.”

Burnett said the campus and coaches made the selection easy once he visited the Livingston school.

“I want to keep playing football because I love the game,” he said. “The comraderie, everything. I just love everything about it and always have. I had some other offers, but I picked West Alabama because it’s a great school. Of all the schools I visited and the people I met. I love the people. I love the place. It’s where I want to be.”

Taylor is the son of Blane and Diane Burnett. He plans to major in biology. His father played football for the Golden Eagles at Southern Mississippi.

Jarman had full-ride offers in academics as well as athletics but decided on MSU based on the school and its athletic program.

“I really based my decision on the team and the coach and where I think they’re headed,” she said. “I think it’s where I can be a big part of all that. And the school, the campus itself. It just felt right for me and I think that’s where I want to be.”

SF track and cross country coach Chris Schmidt said Jarman is exceptional as a student as well as an athlete.

“It’s just been a privilege to coach someone like Anna who not only is so dedicated to her sport, but also to her family and community and school. But she has made a lot of sacrifices. A lot of miles, a lot of hills, a lot of circuits. She really set the tone here as far as work ethic goes and I really appreciate that.”

The four-year varsity letterman and reigning Baldwin County cross-country champion is also an all-state selection with second-place state-meet finishes in cross-country, the 800, 1500 and 3000-meter race events as well as the 4x800 relay on her HS resume. Schmidt said Jarman is his first NCAA Division 1-A SEC signee at SFHS. The daughter of Tom and Loni Jarman, Anna expects to study physical therapy.