HHH cornerback Baty commits to West Point

Hilton Head cornerback John "Bacon" Baty will have a new moniker to answer to next fall -- Cadet Fourth Class. Or more commonly, "plebe."

The Seahawks' defensive mainstay committed this week to attend the U.S. Military Academy, where he'll undertake officer training in addition to playing for the Black Knights.

"I think it's about as perfect a match as you can get, honestly," Seahawks coach B.J. Payne said Friday.

"Academically, he's an (International Baccalaureate) student who will graduate with an IB diploma. Football-wise, it's a Division I institution that plays a great schedule. From a mental and discipline standpoint, he's as hard a worker as I've ever coached."

Baty, whose nickname sprung from a habit of wearing bacon-themed T-shirts to practice, had two interceptions and 10 pass breakups as the Seahawks notched their first 10-win season since 1990 and reached the second round of the Class 3-A playoffs.

With 61 tackles over the past two years, the 6-foot cornerback also had FBS-level offers on the table from Charlotte, Toledo and Ohio University.

"He didn't rush to a decision," Payne said. "He had the same offers as he had since May. He took his time and researched it, and found what was best for him. And he loves being challenged academically."

Approximately 1,300 new cadets enter the academy each July, where they undergo a rigorous academic program that will see most graduates leave with the rank of second lieutenant. Five years of active-duty service follows.

On the field, the Black Knights are 2-9 in their second year under coach Jeff Monken, pending their traditional season finale against Navy. The team loses two senior cornerbacks after the season.

Though Baty's family has some military background, Payne said, West Point wasn't really on his radar until coaches expressed an interest in him.

"Usually, the academy is something you've wanted to do since your seventh-grade year or it's something you don't know much about," said Payne, who previously sent three players to the service academies while coaching in Ohio. "Until they recruited him, he didn't know much about it.

"He asked them a lot of questions. He asked me a lot of questions as well. I've had three kids go to academies, so I know how it works and I was able to explain it a little to him."

Payne also opined that Baty is a more natural fit for the academy than his three previous cases.

"It's not the best for everybody, but I think it's best for him," the coach said. "I kind of had that feeling since he was offered by them. It's just an amazing fit for him, and for them as well."

This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 8:23 AM with the headline "HHH cornerback Baty commits to West Point."