CLARKSVILLE, TN — As the 2022 season came to a close three Wildcats continued their push to play football in college as Jamar Carnell, Davin Grainger, and Robert Riley committed to play at the next level. Carnell will take his talents to Tennessee Tech and join the Golden Eagles. Garinger will remain in Clarksville to play for the home town Governors of Austin Peay. Finally, Riley will be playing for Wilmington College in Ohio.

JAMR CARNELL – TENNESSEE TECH

Carnell had one of the best seasons running the ball for the ‘Cats in 2022; in fact, Carnell’s performance was good enough to crack the top 5 in rushing performance in the 117 year history of the football program. That isn’t the only area where the Senior shined though as he also took the top spot in tackles for CHS on the season. Carnell was a two-year captain for Coach Shelby and spent three straight seasons being one of the team’s top rushers. Even more impressive, Carnell played quarterback in the 2021 season and led a team that only threw the ball seven times to the second round of the TSSAA State Playoffs.

SHELBY ON CARNELL: “We had to lean on him in some big moments and when we did he came through. He leaves second all time in single season rushing. He is one of the great ones.”

DAVIN GARINGER – AUSTIN PEAY

It may be one of the most impressive story’s you will hear about a player on any team. While most juniors are trying to gather highlights to send to universities, Garinger had to sit on the outside looking in after a baseball injury during his sophomore season sidelined him all of 2021. In 2022, the storyline was different as Garinger came out ready for the revenge tour. Davin would show off his dual-threat style by scoring touchdowns on the ground and through the air. Garinger would earn an All-Region nod a year after having to sit out and will now join the defending ASUN Champions, Austin Peay.

SHELBY ON GARINGER: “I have never seen anyone have the amount of adversity he had over and over and still continue to work the way he did. He is one of the best QBs I have seen here in two decades.”

ROBERT RILEY – WILMINGTON COLLEGE

Robert Riley earned his spot as one of the two receivers for the Wildcats in only his sophomore campaign. He would lead the Wildcats in receptions and yards in that season. As a junior his role and production would increase, in a season where the Wildcats would only throw the ball seven times, Riley would sacrifice his own receiving numbers to show off his arm on several designed pass plays. He would also move into being a two-way starter during that season as he played in the Wildcats’ secondary and caught a game-sealing pick-six to be Cane Ridge in the first round of the playoffs in 2021.

SHELBY ON RILEY: “He worked really hard his whole career here. He always wanted to play college football and I am glad he is getting the chance. He is a great kid.”

FINAL WORDS FROM SHELBY: “All three of them played as freshman and that will not be the case in college. They need to stay patient and understand their roles on their new teams at the beginning.”