Last fall, Kell (Ga.) linebacker Solon Page III racked up the third-most tackles (178) in the Peach State, as the Vols’ 2017 signee was named Georgia’s Class 5A defensive player of the year and a Parade All-American honorable mention.
Moving to Tennessee soon, Page picked up one more prestigious honor before packing his bags.
Earlier this month, Page’s church Turner Chapel AME — a Methodist congregation with more than 3,000 people — awarded the linebacker with its first-ever “Young Man of the Year” honors for Page's outstanding sportsmanship on and off the field. Page was a team-leader at Kell and was active in the community volunteering at Horizon Fields, a place where special needs children play baseball.
“A lot of those kids look up to us because so many of them have (challenges). Some of them can’t walk. Some of them can’t talk,” Page explained. “It’s a real good experience going out there knowing there’s people out there who can’t do what we do, and it shows us how blessed we are. These little kids, they look up to us. To see the smile on their faces, it’s really just a blessing.”
In February, Tennessee coach Butch Jones was chided for his silly “five-star hearts” comments, but Page represents the type of talented, high-character prospect Jones was attempting to describe. Page was a productive player in high school, a good student and a valuable member of the community.
