Day of Decision for Massachusetts Gridiron Stars
Framingham, MA seniors make their FCS signings known to the world.
It just felt right to Holliston High standout and Massachusetts 2007 Gatorade Football Player of the Year Matt Bellomo.
Which is precisely why the Tri-Valley League’s Offensive Player of the Year for 2007, someone who accounted for 2,352 all-purpose yards this past fall, will be wearing Holy Cross purple and white next year.
Leopards build 'excellent class'
Linebackers appear to be highlight of Lafayette’s incoming group.
A big, strong offensive line and a solid corps of linebackers have long been staples of the Lafayette College football program.
With that considered, it’s not surprising that Leopards coach Frank Tavani cited linemen and linebackers as key components in a balanced Class of 2012.
Tavani released his ninth recruiting class on Wednesday’s national signing day. The veteran coach called the group of 28 players split equally between offense and defense “an excellent class.”
Success, facilities help Lafayette
Winning, on-campus complex are factors as ‘Pards land solid recruits.
The soundtrack for Lafayette’s football recruiting efforts this year very well could have been the classic Joe Young-Sam Lewis song, “How ‘Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On the Farm (After They’ve Seen Paree?)”
The spectacular Bourger Varsity Football House and completely renovated Fisher Stadium complex proved to be quite a compelling selling point when coupled with the program’s recent dominance of the Patriot League and the school’s academic reputation.
Leopards coach Frank Tavani used the mix to full advantage to land a deep, talented, balanced class.
Bethune-Cookman Adds More Speed
DAYTONA BEACH – In Ronald Gaudin, Bethune-Cookman coach Alvin Wyatt saw his next great quarterback – an athlete in the mold of Allen Suber or Pa’tell Troutman.
Unfortunately, Gaudin didn’t see it that way. Oh, he signed a letter-of-intent with B-CU on Wednesday. But the Miami Archbishop Curley product wants to play slotback in the Wildcats’ triple-action offense. And who’s Wyatt to quibble.
After signing the best group of skill players in his 11 years as head coach, Wyatt says Gaudin can play anywhere he wants.
Monmouth Head Coach Callahan Pleased With Newest Hawks
Ability plus versatility.
Monmouth University football coach Kevin Callahan hopes he has garnered the best of both worlds in his 2008 recruiting class of high school athletes announced Wednesday.
SFA signs football class with East Texas ring to it
Link: http://www.dailysentinel.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2008/02/06/sfa_football_class_2_7.html
The SFA football program celebrated the signing of a group of 29 recruits that is top-heavy with East Texas players on national signing day Wednesday.
Second-year Lumberjack coach J.C. Harper reeled in 14 East Texans, bringing his two-year total to 22.
SWAC Rivals Happy with Hauls
Link: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/fb/fbc/5520846.html
Wednesday was “another great day in Pantherland” in the eyes of Prairie View A&M football coach Henry Frazier, who signed 20 players to build upon a team that should contend for the Southwestern Athletic Conference title this fall.
Two Sulphur High football players sign National Letter of Intent
Link: http://www.sulphurdailynews.com/articles/2008/02/07/sports/sports.txt
SULPHUR-On Wednesday, two Sulphur High football players signed National Letters of Intent as they continue to the next level of their playing careers at the collegiate level.
Senior defensive back Zach Albin signed with Southeastern Louisiana University and senior Colt Fisher signed with Nicholls State University.
Bearkats Load Up on Offense
Link: http://www.itemonline.com/sports/local_story_037235346.html?keyword=secondarystory
Looking toward the future, the Bearkats added some promising prospects Wednesday with a focus on getting younger and finding some offensive playmakers.
Sam Houston State officially inked 23 high school students and college transfers to national letters of intent to play football next season in Huntsville. The Bearkats signed a nice mix of players on both sides of the ball, 13 on offense and 10 on defense.
Oakland's Clark decides on Southern Utah
HAYWARD — Rickey Clark Sr. was a football star at Tennyson High in 1986.
He had plenty of memorable moments, rushing for more than 1,000 yards and being named the Hayward Area Athletic League Player of the Year his senior season.
Now, 22 years later, Clark gained another memorable moment at the school, as he watched his son, Rickey Clark Jr., become the first Tennyson football player in 19 years to sign a national letter of intent.
Coyotes Enter New Phase
The new recruiting class for the University of South Dakota will be the starting the D-I transition.
VERMILLION - The first significant signs of impending changes within the University of South Dakota athletic department were being spit out of the fax machine on Wednesday morning.
It was National Signing Day, and the names with signatures being shuttled through Coyote football headquarters would be the first foot soldiers to commit to a USD program that won’t be playing Division II or in the North Central Conference.
Luethje to Join Offensive Line at South Dakota St.
This central Iowa defensive lineman grew up loving Northern Iowa… until he discovered that South Dakota State was for him.
Tyler Luethje’s first love is defense. The 6-foot, 5-inch, 255-pound defensive end set a Gladbrook-Reinbeck record with 10 quarterback sacks last fall.
But a love for the game itself will take this Rebel senior to the next level, no matter what position he has to play.
Luethje signed his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday morning, making his commitment to play football and attend South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. He will be an offensive lineman for the Jackrabbits, who will join the Gateway Football Conference alongside Northern Iowa starting in the fall.
Kool To Play For Jackrabbits
Yankton’s Tyrel Kool was looking for the same things in a college that he had in his prep career at Yankton High School: A competitive football team, a good academic base and a comfortable atmosphere. He felt he found all three in South Dakota State.
On Wednesday, Kool signed a National Letter of Intent to attend South Dakota State and play football for the Jackrabbits.
Wisconsin Star Signs With NDSU
Wisconsin all-State lineman Manowske chooses the North Dakota Bison.
Springs football coach Bob Hyland is smiling.
The long-time coach is proud because Wednesday’s national signing day for football recruits got him a two-for-one deal.
J.J. Manowske, who Hyland has called the best lineman he’s ever had, signed his national letter of intent to play college football.
That’s one part of the deal, with the other being that Manowske is going to play at North Dakota State University — Hyland’s alma mater.
Pumped-up Foster signs to join Rhode Island Rams
A much larger version than the Jason Foster playing football at Mount St. Joseph Academy sat down at a table at Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub in Rutland on Wednesday and signed his letter of intent to play football at the University of Rhode Island.
Foster, who grew to 6-foot-6, 266 pounds while prepping at Bridgton Academy in Maine this past season, is expected to compete for a job on the offensive line immediately. He does not believe red shirting is in new coach Darren Rizzi and his staff’s plans as the tallest offensive lineman on the Rams’ roster is 6-foot-3.
It was an agonizing decision for Foster as he was torn between Rhode Island and Colonial Athletic Association rival Maine to within an hour of national signing day.
“I decided at 11 p.m. (Tuesday),” Foster said. “It was the hardest decision of my life.”
