We always tell people that Signing Day is our favorite day on the sports schedule—a day when four years of hard work on and off the field pays off for our local high school students. In the Moore League, there’s all the fun of pro sports—high quality play, rivalries, championships—and then, at the beginning of February, there’s a wonderful bonus for these athletes, when many of them get a chance to pursue their career at the next level, while also receiving the priceless gift of a college education. Here’s a quick whirlwind tour around the city, with a sampling of who signed where, and why. There’s a complete list at the top of the comment section below—if we’re missing someone, please click Contact Us to let us know! In the meantime, please join us in congratulating and celebrating these 37 individuals as they embark on the next stage of their lives.
Wilson
Brandon Robertson and Ezell Ruffin met in Wilson coach Mario Morales’ office to sign their Letters of Intent, and were quickly joined by proud family, and friends. Robertson, who has overcome a lot in his high school career, seemed incredibly pleased to get an offer to New Mexico Highlands, a Division 2 school that’s excited about his abilities as a running back. He’d also been offered by Colorado Pueblo, but New Mexico “is a little closer to home,” he said.
Ruffin is headed to San Diego State, where he’ll play receiver, return man, and probably a little Wildcat back as well. The school’s atmosphere, and the coach’s detailed plans for him were a big part of his decision.
Jordan
After John Timu’s knee injury, there was some concern about the status of his offer from Washington, but as expected, the coaches up there did the right thing, and both Timu and Princeton Fuimaono will be Dawgs, joining fellow Moore Leaguer Talia Crichton, who graduated from Lakewood last year.
Lakewood
Lakewood head coach Thadd MacNeal summed up National Letter of Intent Day perfectly as he watched fiveof his seniors continue their football careers: “This is just a great result of a lot of hard work. It’s exciting.”
Smiles surrounded the scorer’s table yesterday in the Lancer Gym as family members and Lakewood students sat in the stands to watch a few representatives from the most decorated class in recent Lancer history make some history. Quarterback Jesse Scroggins (USC) defensive back Dion Bailey (USC) defensive end Justin Utupo (Notre Dame) wide receiver Kevin Anderson (ASU) and linebacker Keanu Kalolo (Northern Arizona) all officially decided where they will be attending college.
Just how “big time” was this signing day? Kevin Anderson’s sister Summer might have hit it right on the head when she said, in all seriousness, “I’m just excited they’re going to be on a video game now.”
Surely, Anderson and his #19 will soon be familiar on EA Sports NCAA Football, and in Tempe, Arizona. “I’ve known it was going to be Arizona State for awhile, but I was thinking some other places, like LSU… Arizona is a lot like here,” said Anderson with his fitted Sun Devils hat in tow. “The people, the lifestyle, and I really liked the coaching staff. [ASU receivers coach Eric] Yarber is a lot like my receiver coach [Anthony] Tucker… and yeah, coach [Dennis] Erickson is cool. He’s funny.”
Also headed to the Pac-10 with Anderson are Scroggins and Bailey, but obviously their road to college was a little bumpier. After already being verbally committed to USC— and then with all the coaching staff musical chairs— the two took the high road for a few weeks in January.
“I just listened to my family and took it one day at a time,” said Scroggins. “I just kept telling people ‘All I can do is me. I’m just trying to do me’ … they were going to make a good hire, and they did.”
Both had Tennessee on their short list, so they were already familiar with Lane Kiffin and his father, Monte.
“It worked out perfect,” said Bailey, who plans on majoring in Business so he can one day be a sports agent. “It’s Monte Kiffin… I couldn’t ask for more.”
“I really liked coach [Lane] Kiffiin when I went on my visit to Tennessee,” said Scroggins. “He was nice with my family, and then he pulled me aside and made sure I was comfortable. I feel really comfortable with him and his program.”
Kalolo is just as excited as anyone to keep playing football, and got offers from multiple Division 1AA schools like Stony Brook in New York. But the talented linebacker decided on Northern Arizona University where the Lumberjacks are competing every year in the Big Sky conference.
“It was just the perfect fit,” said Kalolo. “Everything from Flagstaff to the people and coaches… everything seems familiar.”
Finally there is Utupo, who might get the award for best dressed on the day, with his navy blue sweater vest and golden tie. The defensive end has been on the Notre Dame radar for more than a year, no matter the head coach.
“I got to know [Charlie] Weis, and he seemed like a good guy,” said Utupo. “But really he didn’t seem like a head coach… I didn’t choose because of any coach—I mean it’s Notre Dame.”
We talked at length to Utupo about his road to South Bend during the Lancers’ CIF Playoff run, CLICK HERE to read the story.
“Coach [Brian] Kelly is a great guy, and he came to see me a few weeks ago. I really liked him. He’s excited to get started.”
For Coach MacNeal and his budding program, this impressive class could be the start of something special, but he knows where it all begins. As the photo opportunities wrapped up, MacNeal walked over to the stands and asked, “Who’s next?”
A few freshman and junior varsity football players raised their hands. MacNeal smiled and clapped, “Alright, see you at practice.”
Millikan
It’s not often you get a story like Alden Darby, a story of a kid who’s been through so much, but so visibly turns his life around in his last few years of high school. Darby, the only Millikan football player signing on Wednesday, will be headed to ASU, where he says he’ll make the most of whatever opportunity he’s given.
“I’m not going to slip,” he said. “I’m going to continue to work hard. I feel privileged, and when I get an opportunity in my hands, I don’t ever let it slip.” A three-sport athlete at Millikan, Darby might feel relaxed just having to handle cornerback and return man duties for the Sun Devils.
Poly
It was a “slow” year for Poly—there were only 16 Jackrabbits signed to universities on Wednesday, from 8 different sports. Last year, approximately $9 million in athletic and academic scholarships were awarded to Poly graduates, and the athletics side definitely got things kicked off strong on Wednesday, as half the scant class of graduating football players signed, along with track/cross country athletes, girls’ soccer players, boys’ and girls’ basketball players, and others.
“We are the home of scholars and champions,” said Athletic Director Rob Shock in a short speech before the athletes signed, with their parents standing behind them in support. “Today, you prove that.” Urging athletes to come back and help mentor younger kids, Shock said, “Remember, athletics is temporary—your degree is forever.”
Long Beach State men’s basketball commit Shelton Boykin says family was a big part of his decision to stay local. First, playing in the Pyramid means he’ll be around for his sister Sheila’s senior year at Poly. “But family is the most important part,” he said. “And Long beach State is a big family, like my family. I can hone my skills there, and be around people I like.”
Wide receiver/running back/return man Kaelin Clay was the recipient of a pleasant surprise a few weeks ago, when the coaching staff at Cal invited him up for a visit. He immediately fell in love, and committed on the spot. “It’s a college town, it’s great.” His decision was also about legacy, and following in the footsteps of DeSean Jackson, another speedy receiver from Poly. “He’s one of my idols,” Clay said. “But really, it was the academics more than football—Berkeley is the number one public school in America.”
Shock talked during his speech about family, and the role it plays in every part of kids’ lives—his words were proven by the two sets of twins seated at the table, the Brock twins who will go on to play soccer, and the Wilson twins, who will actually go to Colorado together to continue their basketball career. “We told everybody that we wanted to go somewhere together,” said Ashley. “And the coaches at Colorado had been following us for a long time—we really liked the team, and the environment. It’s like our team [at Poly]—everyone is goofy, and fun. Plus, it’s good to get away—but not too far away.”
The Poly name definitely helped every athlete at the table along, but receiver/track athlete Alex Cannon has to have been happy to be a Jackrabbit. Despite injuries keeping him off the field for much of his high school career, a strong work ethic and great talent earned Cannon a shot at UC Davis. After taking his trip, Cannon said, “I liked it a lot—they have a good Psychology department, too,” a field he’s interested in.
Orla Brazell, who’s going to San Diego State, no doubt had one of the most carefully considered, deliberative processes for whittling down colleges. “I knew I wanted to be a Japanese/Business major,” she said. Working with a college counselor from College Quest, taking into account that she wanted to stay in California, she narrowed it down to Long Beach State, San Diego State, Northridge, and LMU. “I went on trips to all of them,” she said—after that she compared school environments, range of cladses offered, etc. “San Diego State was the happy medium,” she said, “plus I love the coach there, and the city, too.”
Poly quarterback Chris Leachman was happy to have an offer after starting just over a half-season’s worth of games, although the remoteness of Alabama A&M, where he’ll be playing, wasn’t entirely a positive. “It’s a great atmosphere, definitely,” he said. “It’s a small town, but with a big town feel, there’s plenty of things to do. I’ll be glad to get out and do my own thing, but I’ll definitely miss my family.”
We’re still four months or so away from official graduations, and five months from reporting dates for these athletes, but by signing their Letters of Intent, they’re all well on their way, taking the next step on a journey some of them began shortly after they began walking. As for the schools and the city they’re leaving behind–well, Shock says they’re expecting an even bigger group next go around.