EARLY – A two-way starter in the trenches for the past two seasons who helped guide the Early Longhorns to three consecutive bi-district championships will continue his playing career with one of the elite college programs in the state.

In a signing ceremony Wednesday at Early High School, Dalton Adams filled out his paperwork to attend NCAA Division III powerhouse Mary Hardin-Baylor.

“I’ve always wanted to do this,” Adams said. “I’ve always leaned toward this and planned it throughout high school. I’ve tried to make myself a better man so I could put myself in this position.”

The past two years as a starter Adams has helped the Longhorns achieve a 16-8 record with a pair of trips to the second round of the playoffs.

“Dalton’s been with us since we got here and watching him grow up has been unbelievable from where he was as a freshman until this point today where he gets to go play college football at Mary Hardin-Baylor,” said Early head coach Daniel Price. “He’s been a lot on both sides of the ball, a starter for two years on both sides. He’s got claim to three gold footballs, he’s part of the game changing and program changing group for us.”

As a senior, Adams was selected District 2-3A Division II Lineman of the Year, and just this week he was named third-team Class 3A All-State by Texas Sportswriters Association.

Adams recorded 74 tackles with 20 for loss and 9 sacks on defense, and assisted an offense that paved the way for 30 points and 380 yards – 205 passing and 175 rushing – per outing in 2023.

“We have a family here at Early, it’s our culture and a brotherhood here so I’m hoping to see that at the next level at UMHB and build off that,” Adams said.

Adams chose UMHB despite receiving interest from Hardin-Simmons, Howard Payne, McMurry and Cisco Junior College.

“When I stepped on campus I fell in love with the campus, the coaches, the facilities, everything about it,” Adams said.

Regarding his immediate goals at Mary Hardin-Baylor, Adams, who was recruited as a defensive end, said, “The first year I want to make the travel squad, be on the varsity team and hopefully play a key role in the season.”

In the classroom, Adams said, “I’ll be in nursing so I’ll be getting my pre-reqs done and then in be in nursing for the end of my time in college.”