The boyhood dream has come true for Tyson Bettis.
From the time he first started playing football, when he was about 7 years old, Bettis thought about having the chance to play at the college level.
He took a patient approach to the recruiting process, waiting for the best offer. That offer came from Presbyterian College, and Bettis signed Monday to play Division I football. He was recognized as the program's second Division I signee over the last 35 years, joining current offensive coordinator Devonne Quattlebaum in that club.
"It means a lot. He's a coach I look up to," Bettis said. "He taught me everything since I first stepped on the field in high school. Ninth grade, he was on me hard. Just follow in his footsteps, and I'll be all right."
Bettis, the Aiken Standard Male Athlete of the Year, will play quarterback but added he's willing to help out wherever he's asked. He'll be coached by another former local star in college, as former Williston-Elko quarterback Tamyn Garrick was hired in March to be the new Blue Hose quarterbacks coach.
Trojans head coach Kenny Lipsey called Bettis a complete player, one who's capable of beating offenses with his arm and legs. In addition to his physical gifts, Bettis was an invaluable leader who helped the Trojans to two Upper State title games in football and a state championship game in basketball.
"Tyson was kind of the coach on the field. He calmed the guys down," Lipsey said. "Tyson's an exceptional player. He does a lot of things that you can't coach. He was our field general, and it just makes me so proud being his coach that he gets the opportunity to play on Saturday, and it just happens to be Division I. I wish him a lot of luck and success."
Bettis plans to enroll in Presbyterian's engineering dual-degree program, which is offered by the physics and computer science department.
PHOTO CREDIT: Kyle Dawson/The Aiken Standard
READ THE REST OF THE AIKEN STANDARD STORY HERE