Liberty QB to depart early for Oregon
It’s not like it used to be. And local high school football players seemed thrilled about it. College coaches certainly are. It used to be that around this time every year, top recruits still would be considering which college to attend. Now, they’re not only signing a national letter of intent early, but also graduating early and enrolling in college just after the New Year.
Former Antioch running back Najee Harris — California’s No. 2 recruit from the Class of 2017 — did so at Alabama.
Now, LibertyBrentwood quarterback Jay Butterfield — the state’s No. 13 overall recruit according to 247sports.com — will do so. On Wednesday, he signed his letter of intent to attend Oregon, and Friday will be his last day of high school.
“See you on January 4th Eugene,”
Butterfield tweeted. “I’m ready to get to work.”
All eight of the Bay Area players included in 247sports’ Class of 2020 top 100 California recruits signed Wednesday, the first day the threeday early signing period.
Marin CatholicKentfield defensive tackle Jamar Sedona, who is ranked 43rd in the state by 247sports, is going to USC, as is Los Gatos tackle Andres Dewerk.
The other Bay Area players on 247sports’ top 100 list who signed Wednesday were: running back Isaiah Newell (Las LomasWalnut Creek, Oregon State), cornerbacks Dejuan Butler (Antioch, Cal) and Edward Woods (McClymondsOakland, Arizona State), tackle Patrick Selna (Piedmont, UCLA) and linebacker Moon Ashby (Valley Christian, Washington State).
Washington State landed three other
Bay Area players: cornerback Justin Anderson (MenloAtherton), safety Jackson Lataimua (Serra) and tackle James McNorton (Liberty).
The highestrated Metro recruit who has committed — but didn’t sign — is Palo Alto receiver Jamir Shepard (No. 107) to Fresno State.
Other area players who signed an NLI with an FBS team include De La SalleConcord’s Shamar Garrett, Stellar PrepHayward’s Elijah Lawson and Las Lomas’ Jalen ApalitWilliams (San Jose State); CampolindoMoraga’s Mason Mastrov (SMU); FoothillPleasanton’s Peter Montini (Nevada); Palo Alto’s Louis Passarello (Colorado); and Clayton ValleyConcord’s Mana Taimani and Hayward’s Malik Williams (Wyoming).