COVINGTON, Ga. — In a National Signing Day ceremony hosted at Newton High School on Feb. 2, Oro Avery penned his letter of intent to the Berry College football program. 

Therefore, beginning in the fall, Avery will officially become a Viking. 

Particularly for Avery, the signing ceremony served as a reminder of what’s ahead in his life. 

“This makes me optimistic for the future,” Avery said. “Then, looking back with what me and the guys have been through since freshman year. Now, we’re signing together.” 

Avery received first team honors from Region 4-AAAAAAA coaches in addition to his appearance on the All-Offensive team for The Covington News. 

But, for Avery, his time as a Ram, along with all of the accolades and stats, seem to pass him by quickly. 

“It’s been a quick four years,” Avery said. “Looking back on it all just brings a sentimental feeling.” 

Though the four years have flown by Avery, he recognized the impact Newton High School has had on him as a player and as a student. 

He highlighted coach Josh Skelton pushing him and his teammates in the weight room to be prepared mentally and physically for the challenges ahead. 

With that, though, there’s one thing above all others that Avery said he’ll miss about being a Ram. 

“I’ll miss my brothers,” Avery said. “The guys here are my brothers for life. I’m going to miss everything about this place.” 

Now, with his time as a Ram over, Avery has high anticipation for what’s next. He believes Berry College is exactly where he needs to be starting his college football career in a few months. 

“My mom always said, ‘Can you see yourself there without football?,” Avery said. “I can see myself at Berry without football. I’ve been and seen the campus, they have my major and, when I saw all that, I felt like it was definitely a right fit for me.”