Pride of Lions sign with colleges

Published 8:45 pm Wednesday, February 5, 2025

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Seven Tyler High seniors signed letters of intent to play collegiate football during a ceremony on Wednesday at the Tyler High School gymnasium. The pride of Lions inked their scholarships in front of family, friends, classmates and teammates.

Lions football coach Rashaun Woods announced the signings — wide receiver Nicholas “Nico” Collins (Texas Wesleyan University), defensive back/running back Caiden Drummer (Texas College),



Seven Tyler High School senior athletes signed letters of intent to play football at the collegiate level today. The signing ceremony took place in the gymnasium before the athletes’ families, coaches, and teammates.

Nicholas “Nico” Collins, Texas Wesleyan University

Position: Wide receiver

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2024 Stats: 27 receptions, 333 yards, five touchdowns, 2/2 passing, 76 yards

Accolades: 2024 honorable mention All-District 7-5A Division I

“Nick can be a player that will cause the opposing coaches to stay up at night planning on how to stop him,” Tyler offensive coordinator Lionel Wrenn said. “He has all the tools from speed, quickness, and good hands to be a very successful player at the next level. Not only is Nick a good football player, but he is also a very intelligent young man who will do great in the classroom.”

Collins is undecided on his major, but is leaning toward Kinesiology.

Texas Wesleyan is located in Fort Worth and competes in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The mascot is Rams.

Caiden Drummer, Texas College

Position: Defensive back, running back

2024 Offensive Stats: 12 rushing attempts, 84 yards, four punt returns for 69 yards, 22 kickoff returns for 540 yards, and one touchdown

2024 Defensive Stats: 10 total tackles, three pass breakups, one interception

Accolades: 2024 second team All-District 7-5A Division I

“Caiden Drummer thrives in competition,” Tyler running backs coach Phillip Callier said. “Do not be fooled by his size; he is an exceptional athlete who can play both sides of the ball.”

Drummer plays to major in education.

Texas College, located in Tyler, competes in the Sooner Athletic Conference with Arkansas Baptist, Langston (Oklahoma), Louisiana Christian, Nelson, North American, Oklahoma Panhandle State, Ottawa-Arizona, Texas Wesleyan and Wayland Baptist. The TC mascot is Steers.

Ken’Trevyon Quinsey, McMurry University

Position: Wide receiver

2024 Stats: 14 receptions, 201 yards, one touchdown

Accolades: 2024 honorable mention All-District 7-5A Division I

“Trey is one of those players that will outwork everyone in the room because it is in his DNA,” Wrenn said. “Trey has the ability to be a big-time player at the next level with his speed, size, and ability to highpoint the 50/50 ball. I know that McMurry is getting a very dedicated student-athlete, and he will do amazing things.”

Quinsey plans to major in forensic science.

McMurry is located in Abilene. The school competes in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference with Austin College, Centenary College of Louisiana, Lyon (Arkansas) and Texas Lutheran. The mascot is War Hawks.

Amarion Spencer-Hood, Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Position: Defensive back

2024 Stats: 34 tackles, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, one pass breakup

Accolades: 2023 & 2024 honorable mention All-District 7-5A Division I

“Amarion is a dedicated football player who demonstrates an incredible work ethic and a deep love for the game,” Mark Martin, Lions safeties coach, said. “As his coach, I encourage him to stay focused on his journey as a college football player, always remembering his ‘WHY’ for pursuing this path. His hard work and passion will undoubtedly lead him to success, and I have no doubt that he will continue to make strides in his football career.”

Spencer-Hood, who will play corner and some safety, plans to major in Kinesiology.

SE Oklahoma is in Durant, Oklahoma. The Savage Storm are members of the Great American Conference with Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, East Central (Oklahoma), Harding (Arkansas), Henderson State (Arkansas), Northwestern Oklahoma State, Oklahoma Baptist, Ouachita Baptist (Arkansas), Southern Arkansas, Southern Nazarene (Oklahoma) and Southwestern Oklahoma State.

D’Canaan Sueing, Tyler Junior College

Position: Linebacker

2024 Stats: 131 tackles (98 solo), five tackles for loss, five QB hurries, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, one interception, one sack

Accolades: 2024 All-District 7-5A Division I Defensive Most Valuable Player, 2023 first team all-district, 2022 all-district honorable mention

“Every so often, you get to coach a kid that is eager to get better day in and day out, who just puts his head down and goes to work,” Lions inside linebackers coach Derrick Choice said. “D’Canaan is one of those guys. His production on and off the field is a direct result of his willingness to put in the work at a high level.”

Sueing, who is two-minutes older than his twin D’Crystian, plans to major in Kinesiology.

TJC is a member of the Southwest Junior College Athletic Conference with Blinn, Cisco, Kilgore, Navarro, New Mexico Military, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and Trinity Valley. The mascot is Apaches.

D’Crystian Sueing, Tyler Junior College

Position: Linebacker

2024 Stats: 75 tackles (61 solo), nine tackles for loss, four QB hurries, one forced fumble, one pass breakup

Accolades: 2024 second team All-District 7-5A Division I, 2023 honorable mention all-district

“D’Crystian is an exceptional young man who was a crucial part of the football team,” Tyler defensive coordinator Trey Lewis said. “His talent on the field was evident as he was a three-year starter & an all-district selection his junior and senior year, along with being selected as a team captain. He also excels as a student-athlete in the classroom, being named Student of the Month for his class. D’Crystian will get to continue playing at the next level and furthering his education and is destined to do great things in whatever he puts his mind to.”

Sueing plans to major in Kinesiology.

Jeremiah Taylor, Texas Wesleyan University

Position: Defensive Back

2024 Stats: 42 tackles (39 solo), eight pass breakups, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick

Accolades: 2024 first team All-District 7-5A Division I, 2023 honorable mention all-district

“Jeremiah has shown exceptional dedication and skill as a football player, consistently demonstrating a strong work ethic and a positive attitude that inspires his teammates,” Choice said. “As he embarks on his journey as a college football player, I encourage him with the quote, ‘Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire,’ reminding him that his passion and commitment will be crucial in achieving his goals.”

Taylor is undecided on his major.