Video: Womble, 6 other Holy Cross seniors sign at Wednesday ceremony

It’s been quite the week for graduating Holy Cross offensive lineman Jalen Womble.

Womble was in front of classmates and family members as one of seven Tiger seniors signing to continue their playing careers at the college level. Womble inked with Rhodes College in Memphis.

The other signees included Womble’s football teammates, “Dru” Stephens and Merlin Seminary, with SUNY Maritime College in Bronx, New York. Three baseball players also signed: Adrian Aguilar with Nicholls State University, and Cade Simpson and Brett Spiess with Spring Hill College. Cade Martin, a National Merit finalist, will head to LSU to run cross country and track, joining his former Holy Cross teammate, Blake Baldassaro:

For Womble, Wednesday’s ceremony came almost exactly 24 hours after he was named as one of four seniors to receive a $20,000 scholarship by the Allstate Sugar Bowl at its annual National Football Foundation chapter scholar-athlete luncheon.

“It was kind of a surprise,” said Womble, a Holy Cross student since the fifth grade, of Tuesday’s scholarship announcement. “I was a little nervous, but it was a great opportunity and I’m really thankful for it. It will definitely go to good use.”

Womble picked Rhodes because of academics. “It was great to also have the opportunity to continue my football career,” he said.

Come Friday, Womble and the other Holy Cross seniors will take their final classes as Tigers before final exams next week.

“Without Holy Cross, I don’t think I’d me the man I am today,” Womble said. “I’ve learned countless lessons from coaches, teachers and administration.”