Former Bainbridge High School Bearcats defensive tackle Shammai Wilburn, the son of Natasha Wilburn and grandson of Betty Weston, just completed a strong freshman season with the Dean College Bulldogs in Franklin, Mass.

Dean is a member of the Northeast Junior College Conference’s AA Division.

As a Bearcats senior in 2011, Wilburn was selected Region 1-AAAA defensive player of the year by the region coaches. During his outstanding senior season with coach Ed Pilcher’s Bearcats, he had 57 takles — 36 solo and 21 assisted.

As a freshman at Dean, who went 7-3 under coach Todd Vassey in 2012, he had 37 tackles, three quarterback sacks and six quarterback pressures.

Wilburn is majoring in communications and would some day like to get into sports broadcasting.

“I really like it at Dean,” Wilburn said, during a Thanksgiving weekend visit home. “I am one of six starters from Georgia but the other five are from Atlanta area high schools.

“When I get back to Dean, I will resume my weight training and get ready for spring practice.

“I am looking forward to having a strong sophomore season and transferring to a four-year school to play my final two seasons.”

Wilburn said he has already received letters of interest from Northern Arizona University and the University of Mississippi.