The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER making the switch from basketball to football, Raynor ‘Big Ray’ Andrews now finds his way on the verge of joining one of the elite college football programmes at Rutgers University where he will be playing for the Scarlet Knights team next year.

The former student of SC McPherson Junior High School and Noble Preparatory Academy left the Bahamas in the 10th grade to attend Miami Jackson to continue playing basketball, but after he switched to Miami Norland last year, he completed his high school tenure as a football player for the Vikings through one of his advisors.

After starting off with just two offers for college, by the time he was ready to sign his letter of intent, he had more than 20 colleges and universities to choose from. Watered down to the final five, which included Florida State, West Virginia, University of Central Florida and Colorado, Andrews made the commitment to Rutgers.

“When I first came over here (in Florida), that was one of the first schools I visited,” said Andrews about his college tour of all the potential schools. “Before they even offered me a scholarship, they saw the potential in me. They always stayed in contact with me and they encouraged me and told me that I would be a great football player.

“When I narrowed down the schools, that was the best choice for the style of football that I play. Even their programme they offered was exactly what I was looking for. I spoke to my parents and my grandparents and they liked it too, so that was why I made it my choice.”

Andrews, who turned 19 on October 17, is a native of Black Point, Exuma, and is the oldest of three sons of Lakeya Hamilton, who is married to his step-father Anthony Hamilton. They were all on hand with his girlfriend Thalia Smith and her parents, Urban and Thelma Smith, as well as his coaches and some of his friends when he made it official, signing his papers on December 20 at Miami Norland.

“It was a surreal moment because all I was thinking about during the whole time was when I was back home and I was thinking about how I would get off to school,” Andrews said. “To know that this is what my future is like was a crazy moment for me.

“To know that my people in Black Point were really happy for me because it was a big deal. I’m the first Bahamian student-athlete at Rutgers. It just felt great because all of the hard work and energy I put into my preparation is paying off. I now just have to go and finish it off.”

At Miami Norland, under coach Daryle Heidelburg, Andrews helped the Vikings to a perfect 14-0 win-loss record during the regular season, only to lose in the state championship game. They were the district and G-Mac champions.

As the anchor of the Vikings’ offensive line that produced more than 6,700 yards of total offence, Andrews was ranked at number 99 as an offensive tackle nationally by On3.

“That was a crazy experience because when I first transferred there, our main goal was to get to the state championship and win it,” Andrews recalled.

“We worked so hard the whole year. We beat every team, including Miami Central, the number three ranked team in the nation. They won three straight championships, but we kicked them out in the playoffs.

“We beat three state championship teams in our regular season. But when it was time to close out, we took the team we played lightly and we underestimated them. But coming second place in the state championship, I won’t forget because I know I have to play much harder because I don’t like losing. I was mad for a couple of days.”

Although he won’t officially join the Scarlet Knights team until August, Andrews will be heading to Rutgers on January 11 having graduated already from Miami Norland.

But the 6-6, 315-pound left tackle already started his college workouts to get his body fit and ready for the collegiate circuit.

“I primarily play left tackle, but there’s a senior player who decided to stay on, so after the right tackle left to declare for the draft and the backup entered the transfer portal, they said the spot is open and the head coach (Greg Schiano) told me I can come in and play that spot once I put my mind to it and put in the work,” said Andrews, who intends to study business marketing.

“He (Schiano) said he doesn’t mind putting a freshman in the starting lineup at that position, so it’s possible that I can come in and play in that spot immediately. I just have to go through the workout sessions and the job is mine.”

While he has no regrets in making the switch over from basketball to football, Andrews said he’s appreciative of the support he got from persons like his father Raynor Andrews Sr, uncle Raymone Andrews and coach Geno Bullard and Noble Preparatory Academy, as well as the Black Point community in Exuma.

“To my family, I want them to know that I am doing this big for us and I will continue to do so to put our island on the map in football,” he said. “And to the kids back home who want to pursue their football dreams, don’t think that you can’t play football because you are in the Bahamas.

“There are a lot of connections out there to get you over here. You just have to put in the work and expose yourself a lot and the coaches and scouts will come looking for you.”

Andrews said he thanks “God” for all of his blessings he’s received so far.