Recruits lock in scholarships
Kirby among local surprises, signs with Bulls
Stacy Kirby shocked most everyone Wednesday when the Jones High defensive lineman announced he was signing with USF over presumed front-runner and hometown-team UCF.
Kirby, who had originally planned to sign with FSU until his scholarship was pulled by the new Seminoles’ coaching staff under Willie Taggart, said last week that if he signed during the early period, things were looking good for UCF.
Wednesday he signed with Taggart’s former school and the rival Bulls, UCF’s prime rival.
In all, the Sentinel coverage area had 35 signees on opening day of this first-ever NCAA early period, including six at Jones and five from Olympia. Kirby’s decision was the only surprise of the day.
“It wasn’t an easy decision. It was either play for the home team or go where I really wanted to go,” Kirby said. “It really tugged at my heart a little bit, but I was able to come to a final decision.”
Kirby said last week that he did not plan to take any official visits during the final visit weekend prior to the new early National Signing Day, but the 6-foot-3, 245-pound lineman changed his mind.
More than anything, Kirby ran out of time to visit UCF because it was important to him to sign early. He plans to enroll at USF in January.
“I wish I would have been able to go to see what they have there,” Kirby said of UCF.
“I really never toured UCF like that.
“I’ve been to the campus but never had like an official recruiting visit or anything like that.”
Jones also had cornerback Sevyn Banks sign with Ohio State, two-way lineman Devin Hayes with FAU, defensive back Kerby Joseph with Illinois, and both cornerback Terrell Ware and running back Aaron Thompson with BethuneCookman.
At Dr. Phillips, offensive lineman John Campbell and defensive back Tanner Ingle wore their Class 8A state championship medals during a signing ceremony Wednesday morning.
Campbell will enroll at Miami in January. Ingle, who originally committed to Tennessee, will enjoy the rest of his senior year before heading off to N.C. State.
“It’s a great relief,” said Campbell. “Right now I’ve just been spending time with my teammates because in the next couple weeks I’m going to be going down to Miami to continue my career.”
Ingle said N.C. State was one of the programs that remained in touch with him throughout the recruiting cycle, even after he pledged with the Vols.
A coaching change at Tennessee ultimately altered his path.
“The recruiting process has been more stressful than what I thought it would be,” Ingle said. “But overall it’s a relief knowing that I’m solid on where I’m going next.”
Ingle likes the new early signing period, saying it’s an ideal situation for studentathletes who already have their minds made up.
“Certain stuff happens throughout the recruiting process,” Ingle said.
“Other people want to commit [or] offers get pulled. … I just feel like it’s a good decision from the NCAA.”
Campbell and Ingle will leave DP forever bonded by what was accomplished this fall when the Panthers clawed their way back to the state finals and buried the painful memories of a runner-up finish a year ago.
“I’ll remember all my teammates and the brotherhood, they were all with me,” Campbell said.
“We all worked hard. Everybody pushed me and I pushed them, and the result is a state championship.”
Dr. Phillips expects to see more its players sign on the Feb. 7 National Signing Day.
At Olympia, quarterback Joe Milton signed with Michigan while linebacker Troy Golden signed with Colorado State, receiver Jordan Underwood chose FIU, receiver Shane Hooks picked Ohio U., and cornerback Josh Green signed with Tennessee State.
“It’s a great deal for the school and the community to show that we’re doing positive things over here,” Olympia head coach Kyle Hayes said.
“I have a picture over my desk that says, ‘Coaches’ success is measured in the amount of winners produced, not the amount of wins produced.’
“That’s kind of what I go by. I try to help give the kids an opportunity to change the cycle in their lives or better themselves or just be a positive influence in the cycle.”
UCF also landed a local player in Bishop Moore offensive lineman Eric Seidelman, who was joined by teammate and wide receiver Caleb McMillan as the Hornets signees. McMillan is headed to Marshall.
Miami landed the area’s top-ranked player in Orange City University running back Lorenzo Lingard to go with the signing of DP’s Campbell.
Florida snagged one local player in Daytona Beach Mainland defensive back Johnathan Huggins.
FAU received signatures from two locals in Jones’ Hayes and West Orange defensive lineman Franklin ‘Tre’ Jackson II.
Lake Nona had two players sign with Football Bowl Subdivision programs in receivers Anthony Queeley (Syracuse) and Anthony Manning (Wake Forest).
Kissimmee Osceola also had two signees with defensive linemen Jordan Redmond (Virginia) and Dion Bergan (Wake Forest). So did Lake Brantley, which had offensive linemen Tyler Falvey (Middle Tennessee State) and Jack Wofford (Air Force).