Sometimes an athlete becomes almost synonymous with a program through years of playing.
For Harriman Blue Devil football standout Nasir Stokes, that seems to be the case as he is now set to graduate and move on.
Stokes set the stage for his next step Friday afternoon at Harriman’s Richard Pickell Gymnasium as he signed to continue his education and to continue playing football with the Alderson-Broaddus Battlers in Philippi, West Virginia.
Stokes, known for his heart and determination throughout his time with Harriman, was a fixture in the Devils’ backfield since his freshman year.
Over the course of his time, he developed a reputation for toughness as well as a mixture of speed and power and was a threat to break open for a big gain whenever he touched the ball.
“We’re very proud of Nasir,” Harriman Head Coach Travis Tapp said. “I’m glad when a kid gets the opportunity.
“The main thing is they are getting to move on and get an education, that’s the most important thing.
“Nasir is a good athlete and he gets to move on and use his skills. He’s just so quick and shifty and he can get to the next level. I’m sure they’ll home in on his skills and I’m sure he’ll do big things for them.”
Stokes will be joining a Battlers program rich in tradition in the small schools of the Mountain State, but have fallen on hard times as of late.
A-B plays in the Mountain East Conference and finished last season with a 0-11 record.
“They want to start me,” he said. “They’re going to put me in as a running back.
“Expectations are for me to get somewhere around 500 to 1,000 rushing yards there.”
Of course the departing Blue Devil isn’t putting all his eggs in one basket, so to speak. Stokes is also looking at the bigger picture.
“I decided to go with Alderson-Broaddus because they have a really good accounting program there,” he said. “I was looking at becoming an accountant after I finish school.
“My goal is to try for the NFL, but it’s always good to have a back-up plan just in case.”
Stokes also said the school, nestled in the hills of West Virginia made him feel welcome.
“The coaching staff is amazing,” he said. “I really love the campus. I’m planning on going back up there for another visit March 25 to see it again.”
“Throughout my journey to get here, I want to thank Harriman High School for all it has done for me,” Stokes said. “The coaching staff and past teammates have a been a big part of what I’ve done and without them I wouldn’t be here today.”
Although he is moving on, Stokes will be missed by Harriman High School and the football program.
“Anytime you have an athlete move on of his caliber, it’s hard to find a replacement,” Tapp said. “There are a lot of memories with him. He got to play a lot.
“Nasier will be missed, but we are so proud of him and that he gets to move on to the next level.”
