FAYETTEVILLE, Ala. – Two Fayetteville High School football players will continue their careers at the collegiate level after signing scholarships with Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss. on Thursday afternoon, March 5.
Offensive lineman Landon Thomas and kicker Nick Ibarra signed with the Belhaven Blazers, whose program competes in the USA South Athletic Conference at the NCAA Division III level.
Thomas is projected to play along the offensive line for Belhaven, with coaches believing he has the versatility to contribute at multiple positions, including center, guard, or tackle.
Ibarra will join the program as a kicker. The Fayetteville standout said his decision came after considering several other schools, including Huntingdon College, Millsaps College, and LaGrange College.
Both players said Belhaven’s community atmosphere and its identity as a faith-based institution helped make the decision clear.
Ibarra said his senior season at Fayetteville was especially memorable. The Wolves reached the playoffs, and he delivered the longest field goal of his career – a 39-yarder against Berry during postseason play.
Ibarra is deciding between majoring in pre-physical therapy or pre-pharmacy once he arrives in Jackson. He credited his support system for helping him reach the next level.
“I want to thank my parents, my sister, my close friends, and my coaches for everything they’ve done to support me and help me become the player and person I am today,” Ibarra said.
Thomas, who committed to Belhaven first, helped spark Ibarra’s interest in the program. After making his decision, Thomas spoke highly of the school and accompanied Ibarra on a visit to campus.
Thomas also drew interest from LaGrange College, the University of West Alabama, and Sewanee before ultimately choosing Belhaven.
He plans to major in exercise science and hopes to become a physical therapist.
Thomas credited his parents for helping him reach the milestone and offered encouragement to younger athletes at Fayetteville.
“Don’t let being at a Class 1A school discourage you,” Thomas said. “Go to camps, work [hard], and don’t use being at a smaller school as an excuse to bring yourself down. On the field, those [Class] 6A guys are the same. We all bleed red.”
