Senior Tiger football player Zach Johnson has signed an athletic scholarship to play at Troy University in Alabama.

Johnson will graduate early and begin classes at the school Jan. 5.

Troy is a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Sun Belt is made up of schools such as Florida International, Middle Tennessee State, Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, Western Kentucky, Louisiana Monroe, Louisiana Lafayette and North Texas.

Last season Troy won the conference and capped off the year with a 48-21 defeat over Ohio University in the R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

The team finished the season with an 8-5 overall record.

Head Coach Larry Blakeney has been head coach at the school for the past 19 years. His tenure is one of the longest in the nation at any one school.

“This is a great chance for Zach,” said Dawson County High School Head Coach Jeff Lee.

“Troy is excited to get him. Zach has a real chance to get some playing time next season depending on what he does at spring practice. Getting to the school early will be a big advantage for him,” Lee added.

“This is a great accomplishment. Zach has had a great career here. He started as a freshman, rehabbed after getting hurt as a sophomore, and has drawn attention to his playing ability by attending camps during the off season and his play during the season,” Lee said.

Johnson will be the 18th player to play at the college level in the seven years Lee has been at Dawson County High School.

At Troy he is projected to be a center or guard on offense. The team will graduate two or three players that will give Johnson a chance to play at those positions next fall.

“I think Troy is a great fit for him,” Lee said. “After visiting there Zach decided it was the best place for him and he really liked what he saw there.”

Johnson will also play in the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star game Dec. 29 in Columbus.

He was selected at his position by coaches throughout the state.