Gwinnett Prep Sports

Both Parkview defensive standouts Kyle Williams and Shaq Vereen had their own reasons for choosing to play college football at, and accept appointments to, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

But the 6-2, 230-pound linebacker Williams admitted the presence of his Panther teammate Vereen, who had 86 combined tackles and assists with two interceptions and a sack as a safety and ran for 178 yards and four TDs on offense, in the Falcons' 2013 recruiting class didn't hurt.

"We kind of talked to each other," said Williams, who led the Panthers with 116 tackles and added six sacks and an interception this past season. "When they offered both of us, we knew being teammates and going through it together, it would make the process a lot easier on us. And it gives me somebody I can trust behind me."