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"They are all strong leaders, on and off the field," Ringgold head coach Austin Crisp said. "We had a leadership panel that all three were on and we as coaches watched them all grow from juniors and into seniors as part of that group.

"Not only are they great athletes, they're great people and teammates. We have a culture here of 'we greater than me' and these guys are exactly what that is all about."

Collectively, the trio was part of a senior class that was the second class in program history to make four consecutive state playoff appearances, matching the 2012-2015 class. They won a pair of postseason games, including a 19-0 shutout of Hart County in the first round this past season.

They also stood toe-to-toe with eventual Class AA state champion Carver-Columbus well into the second half of a second-round game last fall before Carver pulled away in what was Carver's closest victory of the playoffs.

Their 31 wins also tied the 2012-2015 class for most wins in four seasons. The Tigers were 31-15 the past four years with a 22-8 region record.

"It's exciting," Roberts said. "I'm glad I get to go play the game I love at the next level. (Shorter) is close to home and I enjoy the coaches and the culture there. I really like the program they are trying to build."

Roberts is projected as a defensive back at the next level.

"If Logan was 6-foot-1, he'd be a Division I player," Crisp said. "He's one of the best true football players we had. He can cover in zone, he can cover in man and he was good as a run-fit guy. Most defensive backs that get recruited can do two of three things really well. Logan can do all three. They are getting a dynamic defensive back and really just a special player."

Roberts was a first team All-Region player in 2024, recording 39 solo tackles and assisting on 32 more with three tackles going for a loss. He broke up 10 passes, made four interceptions, recovered three fumbles and scored a pair of defensive touchdowns.

"I'll bring the things I learned from the coaches here, along with hard work and whatever else I can (bring) to help them," added Roberts, who is currently undecided on a major.

Runion, Roberts' defensive backfield mate, said he was thankful for the chance to keep playing.

"You want to go on and keep playing, but you get to your senior season and you don't know if it's going to be your last or not," he said. "But this is everything you work for, so to get to play at the next level, feels amazing. I really like the coaches and it's an amazing school. I can get a really great education there."

Runion displayed a true nose for the ball at safety as a senior. Another first team pick in 7-AA, he had 108 tackles with 58 solo stops and five going for losses. His eight INT's were one of the highest totals in the state and he added two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, while also scoring twice on the defensive side of the ball.

"Cole is a very cerebral kid," Crisp explained. "He made a ton of checks for us. He's all over the place and I think he broke some interceptions records and possibly a state record too. He's just a ball-hawk."

"Like Logan said, everything I learned here I'll bring with me to help them with whatever they need, even if I don't get to play the first year," said Runion, who was recruited as a safety. "I just want to be a good teammate."

Runion plans to study business.

Edgar said it was nice to sign due to stresses that the recruiting process can cause.

"It feels good to sign that letter saying I'm going," he stated. "And it feels good knowing I get four more years of playing football.

"Financially, (Maryville) put the best offer on the table. I'm getting a good bit of academic money, so that really helped. Then from a football standpoint, they are really doing good things up there. Coach (Ben) Fox does a really good job. They had nine wins and a conference championship last year, so they're really headed in a great direction.

Last fall, Edgar threw for 1,580 yards (108 of 199) and 13 touchdowns, while adding more yards and scores on the ground, to garner second-team All-Region status. However, he said he was being recruited by the Scots as an athlete.

"I don't know what position I might play yet, but I know I'm going to go up there and work hard," he said. "Coach Crisp does a great job of building great qualities and quality players with good characteristics, so I'm going to take those things I've learned here up to Maryville."

"I still think he can play quarterback, but he's a great player and the smartest quarterback I've ever been around," Crisp added. "He's a guy that knows where the ball is supposed to be and when. Even if he ends up playing receiver, he has that (quarterback) experience that will help him know the aspects he'll needs as a receiver."

Edgar plans to major in finance and accounting.

"These colleges don't even realize what they are getting with all three of these guys, because they don't know them yet like we do," Crisp added. "They are all getting unbelievable human beings."