National Signing Day goes off with a bang locally <b> (VIDEO) </b>

Chris Williamson smiled at the question -- the kind of smile that only comes with true happiness.<br /> <br /> "It's definitely different because it's official now," the Gainesville High senior said after inking his name to a Letter of Intent to play football for the University of Florida -- a little less than 36 hours after picking the Gators over a host of other offers.<br /> <br /> Williamson, along with four teammates from Gainesville breathed big sighs of relief, reveled in the moment and exchanged hugs with friends and family on Wednesday as they celebrated National Signing Day.<br /> <br /> Williamson's whirlwind journey to Signing Day resembled one of the post routes that he used to burn opposing defenses this season. It also proved unique, as did the journey of every player lucky enough to commit his future and celebrate on signing day -- the first date on which football players could make their collegiate choices official. <b>(NOTE: Tomorrow we will bring you the full experience from Greater Hall FCA's Signing Day festivities at Longstreet Cafe in Gainesville, where athletes that have signed to play collegiate sports in all sports were honored.)</b><br /> <br /> Williamson's incredible senior season -- in which he stayed healthy and rocketed into national recruiting consciousness after years of setbacks and frustration -- was only one of dozens of incredible sagas that ended a big chapter today.<br /> <br /> Take Banks County's Will Ledford for another example. The Leopards standout went from a possible spot at Savannah State to a role with the Air Force Academy -- in just one week.<br /> <br /> "It was crazy how it happened. I was at Savannah State and their coach mentioned me to Air Force and then Air Force came to visit me at Banks County," Ledford said. "I was looking at Furman, Kennesaw State, and Shorter and Air Force didn't get involved until last week and then made an offer. It was just crazy. I thought about it. It was only a two-year commitment to the service after college and just felt it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. I want to go into engineering and it's a great engineering school. It's a dream come true."<br /> <br /> While the stories may have been different, the sentiments among area signees were all very similar.<br /> <br /> "I feel relief, excitement... I'm just glad to be official," said Gainesville linebacker JD Sosebee after signing with Charleston Southern.<br /> <br /> "This shows that dreams come true," added Buford senior Joshua Thomas said, a smile of relief spreading across the senior's face.<br /> <br /> While the Wolves may be used to success and all the plaudits that come with it, Wednesday marked something special indeed

http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/2/284829