Alex Waters is the Football Student-Athlete of the Week for his outstanding performance versus Union County last Friday night and his 4.0 grade point average and top 10 class ranking.
The fingers will be talking when this little nugget finds its way to social media. Alex Waters, elite lineman for the Greer Yellow Jackets, has a problem in pre-game warmups.
This from Greer Head Football Coach Will Young who has nurtured Waters and calls the senior 6-foot-5, 250-pound offensive tackle arguably the best he has ever coached at Greer. “He needs to chill out,” Young said. “The pre-game is where Alex gets excited and we have to calm him down. Pre-game is the time to get serious and focused.”
Who would have thought? This is the same person who nonchantly takes care of his primary defender and then runs full speed to clear a path for runners farther downfield. Waters helped upgrade the weight room between days of summer practice. He visits youth at practice to mentor them.
Waters was the first player featured on the cover of Greer High School's All Sports program sold at home football games. Young wanted the player to represent all-around qualities of being a student-athlete and participation in community service.
Waters graded 89 percent against Union County in last week’s 41-28 Greer win. His 4.0 grade point average ranks in the top 10 percent of his class. Waters’ performance last week and his outstanding work in the classroom have earned him the Football Student-Athlete of the Week. Walmart and GreerToday.com sponsor the award.
“Alex played well last week,” Young said. “He’s an amazing leader and he makes few mistakes. He hasn’t had an assignment blow up this year. He is fundamentally sound and is very coachable.”
Young was asked if he saw some of Waters’ traits in him while he played at Clemson and earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors as an offensive lineman. “There’s a little bit. He’s a tough, physical kid,” Young said.
Waters and the Yellow Jackets play Greenville High School at Sirrine Stadium Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Other football players honored as student-athletes of the week are:
• Thomas Center, placekicker, vs. Seneca
• Brook Chapman, defensive end, vs. Riverside