Three Panhandle High athletes sign to play college sports on National Signing Day
PANHANDLE — Landyn Hack had no shortage of interest from college football teams during his recruiting cycle.
He was the Amarillo Globe-News Offensive Player of the Year, after all.
But many of those teams wanted to recruit him for defense, tight end, or a position other than the one he played so well in high school.
Except one, which was the team he ended up signing with. And he won't have to travel very far.
Panhandle High School held a signing ceremony for three athletes as part of National Signing Day on Wednesday with Hack bringing the most attention as he inked to play quarterback for West Texas A&M University in Canyon.
"It's a great feeling," Hack said. "I've been dreaming about this since I was little, so it's really a dream come true."
Hack was the Amarillo Globe-News Preseason Player of the Year entering last football season, following a phenomenal junior campaign. As a senior, he was just as stellar. He completed 125-of-211 passes for 2,174 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also rushing for 1,520 yards and 26 touchdowns.
New WT head coach Josh Lynn indicated the Buffs plan to run the spread option offense this year. It's a system that Hack will find comfort in given the dual threat he's proven himself to be at the prep level. His head coach and stepfather, Dane Ashley, is excited to see what Hack can do in the Lone Star Conference.
"One thing about Landyn is that he is an extraordinary athlete," Ashley said. "I don't think I could ever thank him enough for what he's done for Panhandle. It's incredible. Yards, touchdowns, it's unbelievable. It's a high school career that I really haven't seen paralleled. I've been at five schools, and I've never had a kid do the things that he's done."
Hack wasn't the only one signing on Wednesday. Cooper Neil is set to play wide receiver for the Northwestern Oklahoma State University football program in Alva, Oklahoma. He hauled in 25 catches for 703 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior.
"The atmosphere around the campus (at NWOSU) was great," he said. "They just treat everyone like family no matter who you are or where you're from, you're family to everybody."
Rounding out the trio, Grace Sims signed on to play college basketball for Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. She averaged 9.7 points and 2.1 steals as a junior and been a team leader this season for the Ettes, who are currently ranked 4th in the state in Class 2A.
"The people (at Panhandle) push you to your limits every single day," Sims said. "There's no quit in Panhandle and that's just something that makes you so good. You're not allowed to quit and that helps make you good."
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Three Panhandle High athletes sign NLI to play college sports
