Willow Spring High has seen its share of firsts since opening its doors in Fuquay-Varina for the 2021-22 school year.
Rising senior Laden Beckwith added to that list this past week, becoming the first football player to commit to a Division I college program.
Beckwith announced on social media July 17 that he plans to play at Charleston Southern in 2025. The speedy wideout/athlete will join a Buccaneers program that competes in the FCS Big South/OVC Football Association.
“Laden is a phenomenal talent with elite speed,” Willow Spring coach Jason Wilkes said. “He is a mature young man who works hard on the field and in the classroom.”
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Willow Spring is coming off a 3-7 season in 2023, its second as a varsity program. The Storm went 2-8 in 2022.
Beckwith led Willow Spring in receiving yards-per-game each season. In 2023, he had 45 receptions for 727 yards and 10 TDs. For his career, Beckwith has compiled 1,023 receiving yards, averaging 15.5 yards per catch and finding the end zone 13 times.
Beckwith also has forged a solid track-and-field career at Willow Spring. He finished sixth in the 100 meters (10.62) and 11th in the 200 meters (22.02) at the recent 4A state championships in Greensboro. He ran the second leg on a bronze-medal winning 4×400 relay team.
Beckwith boasts a 3.7 GPA.
Charleston Southern finished 4-7 last season. Gabe Giardina has coached the Bucs since 2022.
“Charleston Southern did a great job recruiting Laden,” Wilkes said. “He truly found a home, where he felt that he could best grow as a player and person. We are excited to see what his senior season has in store.”
Willow Spring opens the 2024 season on Friday, Aug. 23 against New Bern.
