In a significant moment for the program, the Georgia Premier Academy (GPA) in Statesboro announced twelve college commitments from its senior student-athletes, further solidifying its reputation for developing top baseball talent.

The Georgia Premier Baseball Academy (GPA) in Statesboro marked a significant achievement in its early signing period this week, with 12 senior student-athletes officially committing to play college baseball across the nation.

The signing ceremony was the ninth since the academy relocated to Statesboro and began operations, making this one of the program’s largest early signing classes. These commitments span top-tier NCAA Division I programs like Vanderbilt and the University of Oklahoma, as well as strong JUCO and four-year programs.

History and Core Georgia Premier Values

The founding of the Georgia Premier Academy was detailed during the signing ceremony, highlighting a deliberate partnership that established the program’s core philosophy.

Co-founder Tony Ross recalled meeting with Gene Reynolds,  GPA’s current owner in a small, downtown coffee shop. They realized they were a “pretty good match” and agreed on a core mission: to focus on three equal pillars: Faith, Education, and Baseball.

Ross, who was the owner before handing the reins over, had a strong passion for combining baseball with faith and youth development. He noted that the academy was founded when they merged what Reynolds was doing at Faith Baptist Church in Hinesville, GA with his efforts in Statesboro.

The commitment to developing young men of high character is central to GPA’s mission, with Gene Reynolds stating: “We work very, very hard to try to give your kids a safe environment… to try to teach them how to grow up, to continue to be young men, and make good decisions and do good things, and that’s just as important to us as them practicing and becoming great baseball players every day.”

The 2025 Committing Class: Long-Term Development

A key feature of this signing class is the high percentage of athletes who have been in the GPA program for many years, showcasing the success of its development process.

Livestream of the ceremony

 


Jenker Romero, an RHP from Lawrence, MA, also committed to the University of Oklahoma. The four-year GPA student intends to major in Software Engineering. His parents are Kenia Romero and Jesus Diprediaz.



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Jenker Romero. DeWayne Grice


RJ Groomster, a CF from Atlanta, GA, committed to Purdue University. He intends to major in Engineering. His favorite memory is beating TNXL in the 2025 conference tournament. His mom is Michelle Thomas.



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RJ Groomster. DeWayne Grice


Nox Williams, a 3B from Millen, GA, committed to Polk State College. A four-year GPA student, he plans to major in Biology. His favorite memory was winning the MVP at the conference tournament in 2025.  His partens are Norman and Shelby Williams.

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Nox Williams. DeWayne Grice

 



Jace Dardar, a 2B from Decatur, GA, committed to Seminole State College. He has been at GPA for four years and plans to major in Pharmaceutical Science. His advice: “Trust the process. Everyone’s path looks different…”  His dad is Johnnie Dardar III.

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Jace Dardar. DeWayne Grice

 



Erick Del Carmen, an RF from the Dominican Republic, committed to Seminole State College. He has been at GPA for three years and intends to major in Engineering. His favorite memory was when he first arrived at GPA, knowing it was the beginning of something special.  His parents are : Vldimir Del Carmen and Ingrid Dela Rosa.



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Erick Del Carmen. DeWayne Grice

 



Wilbert Reynoso, a Catcher from the Dominican Republic, committed to South Florida State College. The two-year GPA student intends to major in Network Security.  His parents are William Reynoso and Mayra Moreta.



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Wilbert Reynoso. DeWayne Grice

 



Ben Dupuch, a Catcher from Nassau, Bahamas, committed to Daytona State College. The two-year GPA student intends to major in Business. His favorite memory was traveling to the Dominican Republic to bring joy bags to local kids.  His parents are Peter and Helen Dupuch.



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Ben Dupuch. DeWayne Grice

 



RJ Cope, a 1B and LHP from Lawrenceville, GA, committed to Vanderbilt University. A six-year GPA veteran, he intends to major in Sports Management and Science. His parents are Robin Cope Sr. and Veronica Cope. His advice: “Get better, just one percent each day and stay humble. Don’t get complacent…” 



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RJ Cope. DeWayne Grice

 



Cam Jackson, a SS from Decatur, GA, committed to the University of Oklahoma. He has been at GPA for five years and plans to major in Finance. His parents are Paul and Crystal Jackson. 



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Cam Jackson. DeWayne Grice

 



Brycen Harris, an RF from Grayson, GA, committed to Polk State College. The four-year GPA student intends to major in Business Administration. His favorite memory was catching the last out of the conference championship in 2024.  His parents are Crystal Sherfield and Terrell Harris.



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Brycen Harris. DeWayne Grice


Jason Phillips, a 3B and RHP from Plano, IL, committed to Kennesaw State University. In his first year at GPA, he plans to major in Business.  His parents are Ceara Rogers and Jason Phillips. 



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Jason Phillips. DeWayne Grice

 



Johann Feliz Muertas, an RHP from the Dominican Republic, committed to Reid State Technical College. A two-year GPA student, he intends to major in Systems Engineering.  His parents are Juan Feliz and Elizabeth Rondon. 



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Johan Feluz. DeWayne Grice

 


The Legacy of Success

The academy’s leadership proudly highlighted the impressive success of its former players, showcasing the long-term potential for the current signees.


This past year, two former GPA students made their Major League Baseball (MLB) debut.
Two former players were named Minor League Player of the Year for their organizations: Rowdy Rodriguez (Los Angeles Angels) and Jonah Tong (New York Mets). Tong was also named the Baseball America Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the entire minor league system.
Ross specifically mentioned his son, Dylan Ross, who, despite a long journey through different colleges and surgeries, was one of the two former players called up to the Mets this year.
Rowdy Rodriguez was also the MVP of the Arizona Fall League all-star game this year.

Tony Ross offered a crucial piece of advice to those heading to junior colleges: “Please don’t think less of yourself, because you didn’t make it to one of the big schools. Many of you are gonna rise out of [JUCO]… you’re gonna rise into a bigger opportunity.”

The academy’s staff and the parents who entrust their children to the program were thanked by Ross for their belief in the model of combining strong character development with high-level baseball training.