During the 2016 football season, while the Habersham Central Raiders got off to one of its best starts in school history, there were former Raiders enjoying collegiate success for their respective programs as well.
KEVIN ELLISON (’12)
The obvious big-name player that used to play for Habersham is Kevin Ellison. Ellison capped an incredible four-year career at Georgia Southern, finishing the season with 678 rushing yards seven TD, while throwing for 871 yards and another eight TD. He finished his career at GSU with 3,225 passing yards and 19 TD, adding 3,368 rushing yards and 35 TD.
IAN WHEELER (’13)
Ian Wheeler had a big 2016. Not only did he complete his redshirt-junior season at the University of Oregon, but the punter also got married. An Oregon walk-on punter who earned a scholarship, Wheeler averaged 39.1 yards per punt as a freshman during Oregon’s run to the College Football Playoff in 2014, but increased his average to 39.8 as a sophomore in 2015. In 2016, his average dropped to 37.8, but he set new career-highs in punts (59) and total punt yards (2,233).
MASON KINSEY (’16)
A true freshman at Berry College, the former Raider standout WR had a good showing for the Vikings. Kinsey hauled in nine passes for 101 yards (11.2 yards per catch) and his first college TD. In Berry’s first game of the season on September 3, Kinsey had his best game of his young career, tallying career-highs in catches (3), yards (51) and TD (1). The 44-yard TD was pivotal, as Berry edged Maryville 34-33.
COREY ROBINSON (’15)
Robinson, an OL at Shorter University, appeared in 10 games during the season.
CLAY NELSON (’16)
Nelson joined Kinsey in going to Berry College, playing as an OL for the Vikings. Nelson was a part of the 9-1 season by Berry, but did not see action in any of the 10 games during Berry’s fourth season of football.
CARSON IVESTER (’16)
Ivester plays at Reinhardt University as an OL. The Eagles went 13-1, and advanced far in the NAIA Football Championship Series, falling to St. Francis in the Semifinals. This was just the fourth season of Reinhardt’s football program.
*NOTE: If we missed any former Raiders playing college ball, please send an email to [email protected] and we will gladly add to the list.
