The third signee of the Demopolis Class of 2011 put pen to paper Tuesday as defensive end Reid Barkley inked a commitment to join Lon Morris College.

Barkley, who transferred to Demopolis after playing his freshman and sophomore seasons at Marengo Academy, landed the scholarship offer after missing the Signing Day bell in February.

“I was excited. I was really excited,” Barkley said of the opportunity. “I was waiting on it for a long time.”

“It was heartbreaking,” Barkley’s mother, Sharon, said of watching Signing Day come and go with her son having no offer to accept. “He loves football. He lives for it. All these years, he’s excelled.”

Barkley’s situation changed after his highlight tape made its way into the hands of a recruiting service.

“Once the highlight film got out, we were overwhelmed with calls from coaches,” Glenn, Reid’s father, said. Barkley received attention from schools in Minnesota, North Dakota, New York and Kansas.

But it was the fledgling program of Lon Morris that most appealed to the Reid and his family, both in proximity to home and overall appeal.

“We really liked the coaching staff and the faculty,” Sharon said.

While the recruiting service played a role and Barkley’s productivity and physical tools were undeniable, the family credited the lineman’s head coach for his work in Tuesday’s signing.

“Coach Causey has really worked hard getting his highlight film out,” Sharon said.

“Hats off to Coach Causey,” Glenn added. “He has been wonderful.”

For Barkley, the move will allow him to play two seasons before looking to extend his football career.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for him,” Causey said.

“He’s going to have a chance to go out and compete and get his second chance at a four-year school. First and foremost, he’s got to do whatever he needs to do to help Lon Morris become a champion.”