By:  J. Daniel Pearson

Based on his success of being a two-time all-county selection, the college athletic future of St. Cloud senior Alex Springs appeared to be headed for the hardwood of the basketball court.  That idea was officially shelved on Wednesday afternoon, when the talented three-sport star inked papers to attend Ferris State University on a football scholarship.

Ferris State is the defending NCAA Division II football champion at knocking off Valdosta State, 45-19, in the title game in December.

“It really wasn’t a difficult decision to sign with Ferris State,” Springs said after several programs began to recruit him heavily midway through his senior season.  “I fell in love with the program and the school when I went for an official visit.  The coaches were very upfront and honest with me on what they envisioned for me and the place just felt like home.”

That vision includes a change of his primary position.  Although Ferris State is an offensive juggernaut that averaged more than 45 points per game, the Bulldogs signed Springs to be a defensive back—a position he played his senior year as a two-way standout for St. Cloud.

After catching 57 passes for 874 yards and 14 touchdowns as junior wide receiver, St. Cloud Head Coach Mike short felt the need to make Springs a two-way played due to depth issues.  Springs responded with another great season, going over the 1,000 yard mark in receiving; while recording 38 tackles and three interceptions.

He was named to the first unit of both the Orange Belt Conference All-County offensive and defensive teams by the coaches and is strong candidate for Athlete of the Year, an OBC honor covering all sports.  “We needed him to go both ways and he responded by becoming a lockdown corner for us on defense,” Short said.  “It really doesn’t surprise me that is where Ferris wants him to play at the next level.”

Although happy for Springs, Short felt he could have helped numerous Division-1 programs and felt he was slighted by recruiters.  “After his sensational junior year and what he did on both offense and defense his senior year, I just don’t know how any scout could watch him play or watch his film and decide he could not play D-1 football.  I think he’s going to prove those guys wrong in a big way.”

Keeping with his humble nature, Springs has set modest goals for coming year.  “I want to work hard, get better every day and hopefully get on the field and play some my first year,” he says.  “But if that doesn’t happen, I want to do whatever it takes in practice to help prepare the team, while trying to get better as an individual.”

Short that is exactly the attitude that will make Springs a standout in college.  “His tremendous athletic ability is not even his best attribute,” the veteran coach said.  “He’s a great leader, a great student and a great teammate.”

Although Springs says he is anxious to start his college career, he has some business left at St. Cloud.  On Tuesday night, he scored 11 points in just over two quarters of play in leading the Bulldogs to 30-point win over Lake Nona in a district semifinal playoff game.

Springs has played a vital role in the resurgence of the St. Cloud basketball program, which had 20 consecutive losing seasons prior to his arrival.  Averaging close to 15 points per game over the last two years, St. 42-10 since Springs joined the team.  They will play for the school’s first district championship on Friday night.

“It makes sense that he ultimately chose football for college,” St. Cloud basketball coach Tommy Billiteri said.  “But there is no question in my mind he could have played and excelled at basketball at the next level.  “Every team we play knows he’s our best player and they game-plan against him, but it doesn’t seem to matter.  He has great intuition for basketball and makes those around him better.  I’m sure Coach Short will tell you he does the same thing in football.”

According to Athletics Director Bryan Smart, Springs is simply one of the best to ever compete for the Bulldogs.  “He is absolutely among the best football players in the county this year, and may also be the best basketball player in the county.  I would have loved to have coached him because he’s everything you want in a student athlete.”