Springers heading their separate ways

LOS FRESNOS — Justin and Jeremy Springer will embark on the next chapter of their football careers, and it'll be the first time since they were born that the two will not be side-by-side on the playing field.

The twin towers, both standing at 6-feet-4 inches, signed scholarship agreements with Division I schools Wednesday morning, joining many across the country in National Signing Day. Justin Springer, a linebacker packing 220 pounds of hitting power, inked with Kansas of the Big 12 Conference. Jeremy Springer, a record-setting quarterback for the Los Fresnos Falcons, signed on with the University of Texas-El Paso.

"Signing Day is over so we're moving on now," said Justin Springer, who plans to leave for Lawrence, Kan., one day after graduation in early June.

"We're very excited, yeah," Jeremy Springer said. "We waited a long time for this and it's finally here."

Jeremy Springer, who hasn't set a date for departure to El Paso, will likely take off in the few months following graduation, their mother, Kim, said.

Both players had their reasons for headed where they did. Justin Springer chose Kansas for the ambiance, and friendly response, but also because the Jayhawks had enough faith in him to offer him a scholarship.

"They only recruited two linebackers, and I was one of them," Justin Springer said. "It felt like home to me."

Los Fresnos coach Scott Ford had nothing but praise for his two standout players.

"He’s been our biggest defensive player," Ford said of the Justin Springer.

"Jeremy has a plan. I think he's going to do great things at UTEP and he's the only quarterback they signed," Ford added.

As for Jeremy, Ford saw the star wait around the first few years of his high school playing career for his turn to quarterback the Falcons. After just one season under center, Jeremy Springer set records including most passing yards in a season by a Falcons quarterback, and most total points scored by any Los Fresnos team.

"I have goals on what I want to do on the field, in the weight room, in the class room ... I have my own goals," Jeremy Springer said. "I don't want to go over there and not start all four years."

But before suiting up for the Miners, Jeremy Springer knowns he'll have to hold a clipboard first, and soak everything in. His brother also plans to redshirt in 2007, and hopes to be on the field in 2008.

Both plan on majoring in physical thereapy, and may possibly use their degree towards a sports related field. But underneath those plans, the two still hope their careers in football extend beyond the collegiate level.

The two have come a long way since they first hit Los Fresnos High School, Ford said.

"Five years ago I think these guys weight 100 pounds," Ford said. "They had to work hard for what (they've accomplished)."

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Oscar Gonzalez Jr. covers District 32-5A for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4443.