Signing day has the usual big winners

By The Associated Press

The early signing period in college football opened Wednesday with some five-star drama.

Georgia likely locked up the top recruiting class by flipping an in-state blue-chip player away from Florida State; the consensus No. 1 recruit in the country had Ohio State coach Ryan Day literally sighing with relief; and a Florida managed to hold on to a couple of five-stars amid a flurry of late de-commits.

Meanwhile, the long and winding recruitment of Dylan Raiola ended bright and early with the highly touted quarterback signing a national letter of intent with Nebraska, the school where his father was an All-american offensive lineman.

College football’s early signing period, jammed into what has become an overloaded December calendar with postseason games and players transferring, has become THE signing period.

The big schools sign the bulk of their recruiting classes on the first day of the three-day early signing period. The traditional signing period in February is now more for schools lagging behind, maybe because of a coaching change, or those looking to add some finishing touches.

Almost all the best recruits will be off the board by the end of the week, most signing with schools they have been committed to for months — like Jeremiah Smith, a receiver from Florida considered the top recruit in this class. Smith was a long-time Ohio State commit, but that didn’t stop in-state programs from continuing to pursue him.

Not until Smith slipped on an Ohio State cap at a signing day ceremony at his high school did he put an end to any doubt he might flip to a college closer to home, like Miami.

“I’ll be taking my talents to THE Ohio State University,” Smith said.

Day was holding his signing day news conference at the time. When he was told Smith had stayed true to the Buckeyes, the coach asked “Really?” and pretended as if his knees were buckling before letting out a deep breath.

With Smith on board, the Buckeyes were vying with Georgia and Alabama for the No. 1 overall recruiting class.

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Centennial offensive linemen Brent and Wade Helton always have been a package deal and that wasn’t going to change.

The twins played for the same youth football teams before making their way to Centennial as freshman. And the Heltons will continue this journey together at the collegiate level. Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period for football, the Heltons signed National Letters of Intent to play at Iowa State.

“We have played together our whole lives, and it was important for us to keep that going,” Brent Helton said.

The Heltons made it clear during the recruiting process that they wanted to stick together at the next level. And that caused some colleges to back away.

“You sometimes see twins go their separate ways when it comes time to choosing a college, so it’s special to see them going to same place,” said Mark Helton, the twins’ father. “It hindered the recruiting a little bit. There were a few colleges looking at just one of them, so we had to narrow things down to schools that wanted both of them and also could take both of them now. There were fewer options, but I believe they found a right place at Iowa State.”

Wade and Brent gave verbal commitments to Iowa State after visiting the Ames campus, and they never waivered on those pledges.

“We really love coach (Matt) Campbell, and we’re extremely excited to get there and play for him,” Wade said.

The Heltons were among two dozen Inland football players who signed their letters of intent Wednesday.

And two additional Centennial players signed with colleges: running back Cornell Hatcher II and cornerback Tayten Beyer.

Hatcher’s recruiting picked up throughout his senior campaign. He was headed to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo for a official visit this past weekend when Oregon State made an offer. And Hatcher jumped at the opportunity to play for the Beavers.

“It felt like home,” said Hatcher, who has two uncles who went to Oregon State, “It’s a big program, and I’m looking forward to competing at that level... It’s been a little insane, but this is a big weight off my back.”

Beyer signed with San Diego State. As an early graduate, he will begin classes and get to work with the Aztecs soon after the holiday break.

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“It’s a special day for me and my family,” Beyer said. “It’s a relief sending that letter of intent off. Everything I’ve worked so hard for is happening.”

Etiwanda had the largest contingent with five players putting their signatures on paper Wednesday. Quarterback Dermaricus Davis signed with Washington, receiver Jaden Landrum and defensive back Chauncey Davis both are headed to Colorado State, kicker/punter Justin Ludovico is off to the Air Force Academy and receiver Kyle Cherry signed with Minot State.

Rancho Cucamonga had four players sign Wednesday: linebacker Stacy Bey and safety Rahim Wright II both signed with Arizona, receiver Jonah Dawson is headed to Air Force and defensive back Kyren Condoll signed with Duke.

San Jacinto wide receiver Dillon Gresham is considered by several experts to be the top Inland recruit in the 2024 class. Gresham, who led the nation in receiving yards and touchdown catches as a junior, signed with Oregon.

Boise State picked up two of the Inland area’s most exciting players in Orange Vista athlete Sire Gaines and Rancho Verde running back Dylan Riley.