One of the most prolific running backs in Northeast Tennessee may have virtual slipped off the football radar had it not been for the keen eyes of an Emory & Henry football coach that couldn’t allow that to happen.

As a result, a full-ride offer to play football and get a college education won over Cloudland Highlander running back Jordan Coffey who on Tuesday inked with the Meadowview, VA college to continue his football career.

Coffey was joined by a host of family, former teammates, coaches, and faculty for the signing in the school’s library.

The Wasps waited the football season out before calling on the Cloudland offensive star about two weeks after the football playoffs had ended for the Highlanders.

“To be honest, Emory & Henry was the only college that approached me,” stated Coffey. “I wasn’t going to go to college. I was going to go straight to the military.

“They approached me and offered me a full ride so I took it.”

In a lot of aspects, it’s difficult to imagine a running back the quality of Coffey not drawing more attention especially after rushing for over a combined 4000 yards in his junior and senior years with a bushel basket full of touchdowns.

He sat out his sophomore year due to breaking his collarbone or those totals could have been much more significant.

He was named Conference Player of the Year in both campaigns and also garnered All-State recognition.

Playing as a Highlander suited Coffey to the hilt from the coaching staff to the play calling on offense.

“Coach Lunsford was a great coach and I liked playing for him,” Coffey stated. “Honestly in my freshman year, if he hadn’t come here I had planned on transferring to Hampton.

“I guess the best thing I can say is it was my type of offense. It’s all running and that’s what I was good at.”

Lunsford was quick to note some of the things that made Coffey the player he was at the high school level.

“Tough, hard-nosed, and gives 100 percent on every play as much as any kid that I have ever coached,” Lunsford said. “He was special.

“He knows how to practice hard and he knows how to work hard. He knows how to run hard—he toted the mail for us for two years.”

Lunsford felt like the Wasps were getting a great package in Coffey.

“He was a super player for us and  I think that he will make a good player for Emory & Henry,” added Lunsford.

Coffey said that the Wasps are planning at keeping him at running back and admits the college level will be much different.

“The offense is going to be a lot different,” added Coffey. “It is going to be much faster.”

On his campus visit, Coffey noted that the Wasp coaching staff and players were great and that he was looking forward to studying Civil Engineering during his stay at the Christian school.