Knight trio signs letters with Bluffton U.

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — It’s not often that you see three players from the same high school sign letters of intent to attend the same college, but that’s what happened Tuesday when Jared Burger, Matt Holden and Chase Walters all signed letters to play for Bluffton University (click here for a larger photo).

The decision to play for the Beavers, though, was more of a desire to play football at the college level, rather than a wish to stay together. “I just wanted to play football,” said Matt Holden, with a smile. “I like both these guys, but they weren’t really the deciding factor.”

Burger, a lineman for the Knights who played on both offense and defense, made it clear that he was the first of the three to pick Bluffton. A four-year letter winner at Crestview and first team All-Northwest Conference selectee, Burger said he plans to double major in information technology and business.

Holden, who plans to major in premed, but hasn’t decided which of the premed majors at this point, said he liked Bluffton Head Coach Tyson Veidt, but also said he feels the Beavers are poised for success.

“I think they’re on the rise,” Holden noted. “They had a pretty successful year last year and I want to be a part of that.”

Holden, a Second Team All-NWC running back for the Knights, as well as a defensive back, said he’s not sure if he’ll again play both offense and defense this coming season, but felt he would do what was needed to contribute to the team.

Walters, a four-year letter winner for Crestview and the quietest of the three, said he plans to major in criminal justice at Bluffton.

Like Holden, Burger also liked Coach Veidt and said he quickly felt like a part of the Beaver football team after a campus visit.

“Their coach, right off the bat, made me feel like I was their star player,” Burger said, adding that being given the chance to sit down and eat with current Bluffton team members was also important to him. “I got to learn a lot about the team, and it made me feel like a part of the team right from the get-go.”