Vian seniors sign letters of intent to play college football

Another football season, another set of multiple National Letters of Intent Day signees for the Vian Wolverines.

In separate signing ceremonies Wednesday morning at B.J. Traw Gymnasium, senior Masyn Wright inked a letter with Northeastern State University, while senior Ledger Folsom signed with Southwestern College, located in Winfield, Kan.

“This is a great place to be,” Vian coach Gary Willis said. “There are a lot of athletes. It’s a special night on the field with these boys. Those are a couple of good boys.”

One of the things that Wright liked about NSU is its football coach, Darrin Chiaverini.

“Coach Chev (Chiaverini) has changed the program around the past few years,” Wright said. “The culture up there is different.”

A second factor Wright chose NSU is it is just up the road on Oklahoma State Highway 82 in Tahlequah.

“It’s also close to home,” he said. “It was easy (to choose NSU) once they offered me a scholarship. My mom (Tamara Wright) works up there. My family can come to the game because it’s close to home.”

“He’s a very special player, and we knew it when he was a little kid,” Willis said. “It’s been unbelievable watching him grow up and getting to be a part of it (his football growth) and to coach him. To watch him and be around him every day, we’re going to miss him on the field and we’ll miss him even more not seeing him every day. That’s probably the hardest thing for a coach.”

Not only is there a fairly high probability Wright will get to see playing time as a true freshmen, but may do so on both sides of the ball — offense and defense.

“He (Chiaverini) said I would definitely get my feet in the water and test the waters,” Wright said. “It’s just going to depend on how I’m playing and developing throughout the season. I just have to go up there and work and do what I do. I’m for sure looking forward to the opportunity.”

“He’s a special player,” Willis said. “They’re thinking about using him on both sides of the ball. They think he’s going to have an immediate impact.” Folsom said the Moundbuilders made him feel welcome from the start of the recruiting process.

“It was just in the way they approached me,” said Folsom, who moved in from Eufaula. “When they reached out, they made me feel like I was being a part of something special. They came to the school and visited the games. I went and toured the campus, too, and that was pretty cool.”

Southwestern College appears to be wanting to use Folsom as a receiver.

“I’m pretty sure they’re going to be using me at the slot (receiver position) on offense,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”

Just like Wright appears as if he will be an impact player as a true freshman at NSU, so, too, Folsom would appear to be heading that way with the Moundbuilders.

“That’s what I’ve heard,” Folsom said. “They graduated four receivers this year, and they have 12 returning. There’s going to be a decent chance of me playing as a freshman. That’s exciting.”

“He fit right in,” Willis said about Folsom’s arrival to the Wolverines. “The boys took him right in. He became one of us immediately. He produced for us. He was one of those kids you meet and you feel like you’ve met family. He was a great addition, and we’re glad he made it over here.”

Something that is going to help Folsom out in Winfield will be familiar faces. Two of them were Vian Wolverines a season ago and signed on National Letter of Intent Signing Day — wide receiver Jacob Brannick and offensive lineman Nathen Cheater. There will be a third familiar face there, too.

“Another person I grew up with in Eufaula, Johnny Burton, was up there,” Folsom said. “I don’t know if he’s coming back for another year. That will make things easier.”

Folsom is not too concerned with the distance between here and Winfield, which is about a 3.5-hour drive one way, or being on his own.

“This year, I moved from Eufaula over here,” he said. “I’ve been living on my own for this year. I’m kind of used to it now. It will be a little farther (to Winfield, Kan.).”

“He did a great job for us,” Willis said. “He’s going to go up there and play receiver for them. He’s going to do great things for them.”

The Wolverines made it to the Class 2A, Division II state title game for the second straight season and had a 12-2 record.

Wright was named the District 2AII-4 Most Valuable Player, while Folsom was named the district’s Wide Receiver of the Year.