Three local football standouts signed their letters of intent on National Signing Day Feb. 1.

Escambia Academy defensive end Trae Lee signed with the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis and running back Kris Brown signed with Mississippi College.

At Northview, quarterback/wide receiver Luke Ward picked Mercer University of Macon, Ga. as his college choice.

Additionally, EA’s Drew Parker signed a baseball scholarship with Coastal Alabama Community College.

Over his senior season on the defensive line, Lee had 67 tackles, nine sacks, nine tackles for a loss, four caused fumbles, four fumbles recovered and also started as an offensive tackle and had 25 pancake blocks.

Lee said he’s thankful to have the opportunity to play at Navy.

“I’s like to thank God for me being here,” he said. “Without Him, this wouldn’t be possible. I pretty much made my decision before the season, and no one knew about it.

“The Naval Academy is the right fit for me academically and athletically,” he said. “They can help me further my career in engineering and help me in my career in football if I make it to the NFL.”

Brown rushed for 845 yards on 90 carries and scored 15 touchdowns on offense during his senior season. He added 70 tackles on defense, as well as five interceptions. He returned on INT for 83 yards for a score in the playoffs.

Brown, who was originally committed to South Alabama, said he chose Mississippi College because he felt right at home there.

“The coaching staff is great,” he said. “They treat everybody there like they do here. I think I can make history at Mississippi College, and change things around there.”

Brown said MC attracted him because of the college’s athletic facilities, namely the weight room.

On the process of picking MC over other schools, Brown said it was difficult.

“It was sort of hard,” he said. “There are a lot of great schools out there and a lot of choices. Mississippi College was my first offer. They didn’t care how tall I was or how small I was. They knew I could play.

“I walk by my faith and not by my sight,” he said.

With his family around him and South Dakota and Youngstown hats sitting on the table before him, Ward’s brother and sister, John Michael and Morgan, whispered which school he should pick.

After acting like he was going to pick SD and Youngstown, Ward slipped on a third, yet unseen Mercer University hat that was hidden under the table.

“It was definitely a weight that was lifted off of my shoulders,” Ward said about the decision. “I definitely felt like I picked the best place possible for me. I took the official visit up there and it felt like home. It felt like I never left from here.

“I loved all of the coaches and players, and you couldn’t beat it,” he said. “I felt like I picked the best place for me.”

Ward said the main reason why he didn’t pick SD or Youngstown was because of the distance from home.

“I’m a huge family guy,” he said. “I didn’t want to pick somewhere way off, where they couldn’t see me or nothing like that. Mercer was right there close. I went up there, and I loved it.”

A while ago, Ward made a bet with his father, Carl, that if he got the chance to play at a Division 1 school, then he’d get the keys to his 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

Carl anteed up, giving his son the keys to the Camaro after the signing.

“I was just kind of joking around when I said it, but he took it seriously, and I was like, ‘OK, that’s fine with me,’” Ward said.