Arnold trio secures football future (See Photos)

PANAMA CITY BEACH - A year ago, Arnold seniors Dale Robinson and Sean Frohlich never thought they would be sitting next to each other in Arnold's resource room on National Signing Day wearing Webber International caps.

Robinson was just hoping and praying he'd get the opportunity to play college football. Frohlich was expecting to don USF insignia.

Next to them, teammate Chris Jackson had firmed his college choice of Florida Atlantic. He anxiously was waiting to glide the pen across the proper documents and become a student of Howard Schnellenberger's. (See photos from the signing)

The first Wednesday in February can usher in quite a bit of change for high school seniors.

Robinson, Frohlich and Jackson signed national letters of intent to attend four-year schools and play college football. They increased the total of Arnold football players to 28 who have signed college scholarships in nine years, Athletic Director Julie Hale said.

"It feels awesome," said Frohlich, who couldn't stop smiling. "I'm relieved. After I dropped off the board at South Florida, I didn't think I'd be able to play at the next level. And to sign with somebody is a big relief for me."

Frohlich was recruited hard by the Big East school to play center. After his junior season, he weighed between 280-290 pounds. During the summer, he dropped more than 60 pounds and the Bulls' interest in him waned.

Still hoping to play football after high school, Frohlich, who played this season at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, sent his tape to Webber International, an NAIA school, located in Babson Park. The school called the next day, he said, and within the week Frohlich was there on an official visit.

Going to school with Robinson will make the transition to college easier, he said.

"Dale's one of my best friends and I'm just so happy I get to go to college with him," Frohlich said. "We're going to room together, we're going to play together. It's a blast. It's another relief, going to college with somebody that you know."

Robinson, a 5-6, 165-pound back, credited his coaches, teammates and parents for preparing him to play at the next level. As a cornerback on Arnold's 10-1 team that went undefeated through the regular season, he had 62 tackles, including 33 solo.

In addition to an opportunity to play college football, Webber International will give Robinson the type of academic attention he feels he needs.

"When I went down there for the visit, it was a beautiful campus," Robinson said, "... and the teachers are willing to be one-on-one with you. And the coaches were straightforward with me. They told me what was going to happen."

Jackson, one of three Football Bowl Subdivision signees from Bay County on Wednesday, chose FAU over FAMU because of the academic and athletic package it offered.
Plus, the 6-foot, 220-pounder will be playing under Schnellenberger.

"When you say FAU, you think Coach Schnellenberger," Jackson said. "Coach Schnellenberger is a complete legend."

Last season, playing alongside the area's top rusher Jeremy Hester, Jackson, listed gained 832 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on 108 carries.

Next season, he'll be trying to put up those numbers for a team that was featured on national or regional television six times last season. The Owls, who play in the Sun Belt Conference, won the Motor City Bowl.

"Knowing that you're going to play in front of that kind of pressure, it's really exciting," Jackson said. "Knowing that you're going to be going against guys that are better than you or at least at the same speed as you, it's a big challenge."

Arnold also announced Wednesday that Jake Bowen will walk on at South Alabama and Johnny Gray at Troy. More signings are expected in the coming weeks, head coach James Hale said.