National Signing Day: Newberry High School celebrates David Schmidt and Ian Hubbert

BY CLIFF TUMETEL

NEWBERRY, Fla. – National Signing Day continues for high school football programs across North Central Florida, and this time, a duo of Panthers has taken their game to the collegiate level. 

David Schmidt and Ian Hubbert have been on the field together since their freshman year, and now–fast forward to today–they are signing their respective National Letters of Intent (NLI). 

Schmidt is staying close to home and will play for the Florida Gators as a preferred walk-on; you can bet he’s excited, since he grew up watching Florida.

“I’ve grown up in Gainesville my whole life, been here for 17 years, I’ve been to almost every single Gator game,” Schmidt said. “It’s ingrained in my mind, that’s where I want to be, that’s my dream, and people are going to do whatever they can to make their dreams come true–and Florida, when they gave me this offer, it was really a dream come true. I didn’t want to pass up on it.” 

Schmidt also described the program as a well-oiled machine and said he liked how they treated each other like family. 

Hubbert also signed his NLI and is committed to Tusculum University. Schmidt said they both got each other to this point, and it’s great to sign with him because he’s like his brother. 

“He’s someone I’ll remember for the rest of my life; I’ll keep in touch with him, just because of the roots that we’ve grown up together. I’m really happy for him because that’s a big step, Tusculum is a great school,” Schmidt said. 

Hubbert says this is a great opportunity for him, both on and off the field.

“When I went over there to visit, they just gave me a great offer, great experience, and I got good connections with their coaches,” Hubbert said. 

And of course he’ll also keep in touch with Schmidt, his friend who’s been with him through it all. 

The Tusculum Pioneers recently finished their second straight winning season, and Hubbert knows what time it will be when he steps on the field for his first practice. 

“They know it’s go time.”