Dobyns-Bennett Athletes Commit to College Sports

11 high school seniors sign National Letters of Intent to continue academic and athletic careers

Feb. 4, 2026 at 10:15pm

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Eleven Dobyns-Bennett High School seniors in Kingsport, Tennessee signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, committing to continue their academic and athletic careers at the college level. The group includes standout wrestlers, football players, swimmers, softball players, a lacrosse player, and a golfer, who will be attending schools across the region and country.

Why it matters

The signing day event highlights the success of Dobyns-Bennett's athletic programs and the hard work of these student-athletes in balancing academics and sports to earn opportunities to compete at the collegiate level. It also showcases the school's ability to develop talent and prepare students for the next chapter of their lives.

The details

Among the signees are wrestler Mason Jakob, who committed to West Virginia University with the goal of becoming a 2027 national champion. Football offensive lineman Tyler Grizzle will play at East Tennessee State University, while decorated swimmer Evie Dellinger will continue her career and begin a military career at the Air Force Academy. The group also includes two football players headed to the University of Pikeville, two softball players, two volleyball players, a lacrosse player, and a golfer.

  • The signing ceremony took place on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
  • Mason Jakob is looking to win his fourth straight TSSAA Class AA individual wrestling championship on February 21, 2026.

The players

Mason Jakob

A Dobyns-Bennett senior wrestler who has a remarkable 185-7 career record and is committed to continue his wrestling career at West Virginia University, where he hopes to become a 2027 national champion.

Tyler Grizzle

A standout football offensive lineman at Dobyns-Bennett who will play at East Tennessee State University after overcoming a pair of knee surgeries.

Evie Dellinger

A highly-decorated swimmer at Dobyns-Bennett who holds six individual school records and will continue her swimming career and begin a military career at the Air Force Academy.

Jaylen Thomas

A Dobyns-Bennett senior who will play football at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky.

Zayden Hayes

A Dobyns-Bennett senior who will play football at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky.

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What they’re saying

“2027 national champion, that is my plan. That is the goal.”

— Mason Jakob

“From a small town in Tennessee, never won a state title when I was kid so to be where I am now is a pretty big difference. Just to know the journey of how I started to where I am now is pretty cool, pretty crazy, it is very surreal.”

— Mason Jakob

“It just felt like home. I felt like the family they are building there is something I really wanted to be a part of. It seemed like everybody cared about each other, kind of like we do here at D-B. It meant a lot.”

— Mason Jakob

“He was probably about 75 percent of what he is as a 100 percent player. Still him at 75 is better than just about everybody that we play.”

— Joey Christian, Dobyns-Bennett Head Coach

“That was my goal in sixth grade. I told myself that I was going to be swimming in college. Then my coach told me I was on track to go Division I and that was my goal. 'I will be a Division I swimmer'.”

— Evie Dellinger

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This signing day event showcases the success of Dobyns-Bennett's athletic programs and the hard work of these student-athletes in balancing academics and sports to earn opportunities to compete at the collegiate level, highlighting the school's ability to develop talent and prepare students for the next chapter of their lives.