WS Chronicle

The Atkins Camels have not been known as a powerhouse on the football field, but that does not mean they do not have talented players walking through their locker room. Saven Baker, a 6-foot 5-inch offensive lineman, signed his letter of intent to play football for Morehouse College.

Baker chose Morehouse over offers from ten other schools. He decided on the Tigers because the school falls in line with his dreams of becoming a great leader, businessman, and his love of helping others, he said.

“Morehouse had a great balance of academics and football and I felt like that was the best school that extended me an offer,” said Baker. “I was really excited when they did offer me because it was one of my top schools, basically like my dream school.”

According to Baker, his freshman and sophomore years were somewhat underwhelming because he did not reach his full potential. He finished up his career at Atkins on a strong note that put him in position to be offered a full scholarship from a post-secondary school.

“My first two years I really wasn’t as good as I should have been, but I really felt like I finished strong my junior and senior year,” he said.

Although Atkins is not really known for their football program, Baker says you don’t have to transfer to another school to get noticed. He feels if you give the game maximum effort, you will get the attention you deserve from colleges regardless of what school you attend.

“Everyone thinks you have to go to a Glenn or East or somewhere like that in order to get offers, but really as long as you work hard and you leave it all out there on the field, you can get an offer from any school,” Baker said.

In the classroom, Baker already has his eyes set on becoming a business administration major. He would like to use that degree to become a marketing director for a company in the future.

Jimmy and Ericka Baker are Saven’s parents. They said even at the youth football level, they could see talent in their son, coupled with the fact he was bigger than just about any other kid on the field.

Upon hearing the news of his scholarship, Mr. and Mrs. Baker were overjoyed to find out it was Morehouse because that was one of his top schools.

“We were more than happy because first of all, we know it wasn’t anyone but God that made it possible for him to get where he is at,” said Mr. Baker. “Morehouse was one of his number one choices and for everything to line up the way it has, it is nothing but a blessing.”

The Bakers have high expectations for their son. They stated their main goal for Saven is for him to “grow into the man that God would have him to be,” while also being a leader and not a follower on the field.

Saven says he will miss his time with friends, family and teammates. He says he is glad that he stuck it out at Atkins because his coaches really prepared him for the rigors of the college game.

Baker says he knows he is not a finished product. He feels he is a great run blocker, but knows he will have to get quicker and get better with his footwork. As a freshman, he wants to be an All-Conference player on the field and an honor roll student in the classroom.