Four Atlantic City High School football players recently announced their plans to continue their post-secondary athletic careers.
Zephaniah Bradley-Brown, Khajuan Roseborough, Walid Rhodes and Jeremiah Williams join Sah'nye Degraffenreidt, who joined the Rutgers University football team thi past fall.
While looking to continue their success on the field in college, it's what they have achieved scholastically that comes first, their coach said.
“When I speak about these players, it’s about grades first,” Coach Keenan Wright said.
Each of the students has a grade point average above 3.0, which provides them with numerous college and university options.
“I don’t have the words to describe how happy I am for them because I know what this opportunity can do for the rest of their lives,” Wright said. “It’s a truly satisfying moment.”
Students, staff and family members filled the Atlantic City High School Media Center for the announcement.
“This is the culmination of hard work, determination and perseverance — not only on the athletic field but also in the classroom,” said Donald Harris said, director of secondary education. “These students devote many hours to studying, and they couldn’t do it by themselves.”
Harris emphasized that students will now have the opportunity to showcase both their academic and athletic abilities at the post-secondary level.
“We here at the district wish all the signees the best of luck,” Harris said. “It’s well deserved.”
Athletic Director Chris Ford emphasized that while the primary goal is to win a state championship, signing day reveals the true winners.
“The ultimate goal is for us to get them ready for college,” Ford said before thanking the student-athletes’ families, friends, teachers and other supporters.
"We thank you for all the support you have given us and continue to give us,” he said.
Zephaniah Bradley-Brown will attend West Chester University in the fall.
The West Chester University Golden Rams are a competitive NCAA Division II team that has won 14 national championships.
“They have a good program, and they have my major,” said Bradley-Brown, who plans to focus on business.
He also said he liked the campus and the coaching staff.
Khajuan Roseborough will also attend West Chester University.
He said he formed a strong connection with the coaches, which made him feel comfortable with his decision.
“I felt like it was the right fit,” Roseborough said. “Now, I feel at home.”
Walid Rhodes will attend Montclair State University in the fall.
Montclair State University's football team is part of the NCAA Division III New Jersey Athletic Conference. The team has won five NCAA National Championships and produced nearly 300 All-Americans.
Former coach Rick Giancola was named to the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot.
“I love the campus, and I interacted well with the players,” Rhodes said. “The coaches showed real hospitality.”
Jeremiah Williams will join the Rowan University football program in the fall. Rowan competes in NCAA Division III, where academics are the primary focus for student-athletes.
Rowan University’s football program saw significant success in the 1990s, reaching the NCAA semifinals in 1993 and earning the ECAC Team of the Year title. The team returned to the national championship game in 1995, 1996, 1998, and 1999.
Williams said he chose Rowan partly because it is close to home and because he liked what he saw during his visits.
“I love the campus," he said. "Everything is modern, and they have a very good football program.”
