Jacksonville FL-There’s still lots of pomp and circumstance surrounding the traditional National Signing Day held in February. Even with many athletes enrolling early and signing in December, there were still several high profile names to be honored when they announced on Wednesday where they would take their academic and athletic talents.
In a shift from recent years, Florida A&M University (FAMU) took the short trip down I-10 from Tallahassee to focus their attention on the talent here in Jacksonville. An unprecedented eight athletes signed with the Rattlers on Wednesday, (six to football scholarships) making it the most the program has signed from the area in recent memory. Last year, only one football athlete was signed by the team (George Webb- Raines). Said Famu Head Coach Willie Simmons of his class in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat, “We’re very excited about Cameron Sapp out of Jacksonville; Cameron beat Jacksonville Raines this year who went on to win a state championship; beat a lot of teams out of Jacksonville that were state ranked, and that was really important to us in the evaluation process”. He also raved about Bolles wide receiver Christopher Sanders II saying ” He’s been committed to us for an extremely long time, great route runner, great hands, we think he’ll be able to come in and make an immediate impact”.
One step towards a successful future. I’m going to Florida A&M🐍 #HBCU pic.twitter.com/DfdhxFZ9Q0
— 𝙎𝙈𝙊𝙊𝙑𝙀✌🏾 (@chris_sanders2) February 7, 2019
Their rival Bethune Cookman University (BCU) continued the tradition of plucking prime talent from “Duuuuval”, nabbing four football players from the area. Their success in recruiting has translated into wins, as they’ve suffered only one losing season in the last ten years on the gridiron. The Bulls of USF once again charged into Northeast Florida to carry away top talent in various sports as well. They grabbed one of the best offensive linemen in the area to compliment their run game after recently hiring former Valdosta State Head Coach Herwin Bell as their offensive coordinator.
⭐⭐⭐
✅Led team to District 5A-5 title as senior
✅Led team to state runner-up as juniorSigning Day Central: https://t.co/Ryx0r4jhyj pic.twitter.com/eGyuEEyD1I
— Charlie Strong (@CoachStrong_) December 19, 2018
Bell knows Northeast Florida well, as Valdosta State signed the most players from Northeast Florida last year on national signing day. All the Blazers did was go on to win the Division III National Championship in 2018. While some teams are prepared to copy the VSU pipeline to Jacksonville, Famu might call their recruiting strategy the “George Webb affect”. The true freshman from Raines High School made a huge impact on the team in just his first season at Famu. His strong play alone without question gained the attention of scouts to take a closer look at Jacksonville.
The collegiate success proves that the talent is certainly here, and the surrounding programs are taking notice along with many other outstanding colleges and Universities around the country. We celebrate with the families and honor many of these talented athletes around Northeast Florida with a complete list of student athletes who signed letters of intent to play college sports, on the 2019 High School National Signing Day.
[su_divider]
ATLANTIC COAST HIGH SCHOOL
Andrew Whitaker – Baseball -Trinity Baptist College
Cole Reasonover – Football -Defiance College
Demetrius Byrd -Football – Bethune Cookman
Sofia Lopez -Soccer – Ave Marie
Gabi Flores – Soccer – Flagler College
Jackson Skigen – Swimming – Southern Methodist
Brook-Lynn Sandford – Volleyball – Pensacola State
BAKER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Chase Hancock – Football – Georgia Southern
Matthew McDuffie – Football – University of South Florida
Tyler Burnsed – Football – Troy
Myles Morrison – Football – Methodist
#bakermade pic.twitter.com/qwnIB85Bsa
— Matthew McDuffie (@bcot62) February 7, 2019
BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL
Tyler Toliver – Football – Culver Stockton University
Dana Poole -Football – Culver Stockton University
Kristian Johnson -Football – Culver Stockton University
Noah Crews -Football – Southeastern University
AJ Mealer -Football – Jacksonville University
Michael Barnes – Football – Bluefield College
Kevon Moore – Football – Birmingham Southern College
Congrats to these 7 Senior football players!! Just signed their NLI!!🏈👏 pic.twitter.com/zpQFU90PDl
— Baldwin Athletics (@bmsh_athletics) February 6, 2019
BARTRAM TRAIL HIGH SCHOOL
Herbie Steigelman – Soccer – University of North Florida
BOLLES
Will Shepherd – Baseball -Dartmouth College
Maeve O’Riordan – Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field – Florida State University
Michael Jubran – Football – Jacksonville University
Kel McCloud – Football – Benedict College
Chris Sanders -Football – Florida A&M University
Pearson Toomey – Football -Furman University (signed December 19)
Claire Cywes – Women’s Soccer – Haverford College
Adrian Grant – Men’s Swimming – Florida Institute of Technology
Miles Herman – Men’s Swimming – Skidmore College
Ethan Thomas – Men’s Swimming – Boston University
Camila Batista -Women’ Swimming – University of New Mexico
Ashley Rabinovich – Women’ Swimming – Wingate University
Congrats to the Bolles seniors honored today! https://t.co/EmYMhx2V3J #NSD19 #TEAMSIDELINE #BollesProud pic.twitter.com/gGd6idJ3ru
— The Bolles School (@BollesSchool) February 6, 2019
CREEKSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
Daniel Cantu – Baseball – University of South Florida
Mark Castle – Baseball – Young Harris College
Molly Bias – CC and Track & Field – Radford University
Saul A Storey – Football – Campbell University
Tai Lavatai – Football – United States Naval Academy
Katie Vanderlinde – Girls Lacrosse – Mercer University
Kendall Gracie – Lacrosse – McDaniel College
Brandon McSwigan – Soccer – UNC-Greensboro
Samantha Maguire – Soccer – Palm Beach Atlantic University
Camryn Sky Simmons – Soccer – Kennesaw State University
Hannah Suder – Soccer – Middle Tennessee State University
Jenae Wash – Softball – Michigan State University
Ian Cooper – Swimming – Florida State University
Shannon A. Campbell – Swimming – Rice University
Sofia Arango – Swimming – St Andrews University (NC)
— CreeksideSwimDive (@CreeSwimDive) February 6, 2019
CHRIST CHURCH
Jacob Reeves – Southeastern Univ
Ford Setzer – Erskine College
https://twitter.com/coachstomps/status/1093153925610569729
ED WHITE HIGH SCHOOL
Omari Fiffer – Football – Florida A&M University
Isaiah Flowers – Football – Valdosta State University
Jacari Robertson – Football – Methodist University
National signing Day at Ed Ehitr today. Congratulations to these three young men and their families. @OmariFiffer @GodFatherZay @lilsosa904 @JustinBarneyTU @ChrisPorterFCN pic.twitter.com/DRE2BrUoHo
— Ed White Athletics (@EWCommanders) February 6, 2019
EPISCOPAL
Hollin Hakimian – Basketball – Wellesley College
Ana Ion – Basketball – Alfred College
Zack Blair – Football – Concordia
Jake Tylski – Football – Charleston Southern
Samuel King – Golf – Cornell
Colin Sirbaugh – Golf – Stetson University
Apryl Parker – Golf – Eckerd College
Stella Chepenik – Lacrosse – Embry Riddle
Kiefer Washburn – Rowing – US Naval Academy
Cole Crane – Swimming – University of Texas
James Kim – Swimming – Tufts
Gabi Carter – Cross Country/Track and Field/Triathlon – University of North Florida
Caroline Johnston – Cross Country/Track and Field/Triathlon – Clemson
Leah Williams – Volleyball – University of Tampa
FIRST COAST HIGH SCHOOL
Gelique Williams – Football – Bethune Cookman
Tyler Howard – Football – Savannah State
Jalen Gaines – Football – Hutchinson Comm College
Cole Beckham – Football – Garden City Community College
Shamar Rush -Football – Stetson University
Darius Lewis -Football -Georgia Southern,
FLEMING ISLAND
Jake Libretto – Football – Air Force Academy
Sam Snyder – Football – Baylor
National Signing Day at Fleming Island High School. Today we honor @jake_libretto and @samsnydersss as they sign their letters of intent! Both will be joining Division 1 Football Programs with an opportunity to continue their Academic and Athletic careers. We are all very proud! pic.twitter.com/NkULZJm3QV
— Fleming Island High School Football (@FIHSFOOTBALL) February 6, 2019
FLETCHER HIGH SCHOOL
Brian Veniard – Baseball – St. Johns River State College
Brock Sinaly – Baseball – Shorter
Ian Brown – Baseball – Lake Sumpter State College
Donya Dreibelbis – CC & Track – Lynn
Jalen Mitchell – Football -Albany State
DJ Bennett – Football -Werner
Latrevious Johnson -Football -Werner
Nick Lavender -Football – Jacksonville University
Jalen Tate -Football -Benedict
Jason Nelson – Football – Lane College
Shelby Barrett – Lacrosse – Huntington College
Megan Davis – Lacrosse – Limestone
Andrew Peterson – Lacrosse – SUNY Morrisville
Taryn Freshwater – Softball – University of South Florida
Kyle Smithers – Swimming – Univ. of Montivello
Packed House @Fletcher2K19 for #NationalSigningDay2019 and our @DuvalSchools student-athletes pic.twitter.com/jEwvJoEhn9
— Tammie K Talley (@talleymama) February 6, 2019
MANDARIN HIGH SCHOOL
Kris Mitchell – Football – Florida International
Demario Douglas – Football – Liberty University
Darian Oxendine – Football – Tennessee-Martin
Kasimir Absolu – Football – Western Carolina
Zach Mills – Football – Columbia University
Terrell Jennings – Football – Florida A&M University
Nadia Fung – Soccer – Flagler College
Serena Hernandez – Softball – St. Johns River State College
Soraya Hernandez – Softball – St. Johns River State College
Hallie Kern – Softball – Jacksonville University
Victoria Ortiz – Swimming – Indian River State College
Luke Dingfield – Swimming – Gardner Webb University
Kenny Chism – Swimming – Savannah College of Art Design
Congratulations to the 2019 Winter Signees! We are so proud of you! Go Mustangs! #TEAMSIDELINE @MandarinHighSB @Mandarin_hs_fb @mustangswimming @MandarinGSoccer pic.twitter.com/HZaByShOAU
— Mandarin High Sports (@MHSsportszone) February 6, 2019
MENENDEZ HIGH SCHOOL
Tye Edwards – Football – Florida Atlantic
Kenny Logan – Football – Kansas
Tristan Willis – Football – Webber International
Izez Hayward – Football – Georgia Military College
Jake Kinny – Lacrosse – Western Connecticut
Shelby Brim – Soccer – Jacksonville University
NEASE HIGH SCHOOL
Harrison Du Parcq – Soccer – Cal State Bakersfield
PONTE VEDRA HIGH SCHOOL
John Hilbert – Soccer – Air Force Academy
RAINES HIGH SCHOOL
Aric Horne – Football – Iowa State
Brandon Marshall -Football -Mercer University
Matthew Drayton -Football -UConn
James Tarver -Football -University of Central Florida
Javon Bonsell – Football – Bethune Cookman
Recorbreaker @bonsell_javon signs with Bethune Cookman University @BCUGridiron. Congrats Bigtime‼️ pic.twitter.com/7GHl17YWWE
— Devin Rispress (@Coach2Bless) February 6, 2019
Uriah Ratliff -Football -Bethune Cookman
Janorris Robertson -Football -North Caroline A & T
Bryant Maddox -Football -Livingston
Jamond Handy – Football – Southeastern University
Jaren Wilson -Football -Edwards Waters College
Corliss Holland – Track – FIU
Signed!! Congratulations Corliss Holland and Jessica Woodard. Corliss will join former Raines track teammates Larry Grier and Trayvon Laidler at FIU in Miami. @FIU_TRACK pic.twitter.com/FKfGj9iFCK
— Raines Track & Field Recruitment Page (@RainesTrack) February 6, 2019
RIBAULT HIGH SCHOOL
Jordan Carson – Football – Webber International
Immanuel Smith – Football – Methodist University
Devin Norman – Football – Livingstone University
Sontonius Warren – Football – Livingstone University
Bobby Brown – Football -Monroe College
RIDGEVIEW
Tyler Huff – Football – Presbyterian College
Odjuan Whitfield – Football -Troy University
Grayson Edwards – Football – Methodist University
Anthony Troupe – Football – Methodist University
Jaiden Turner – Football – Wheeling Jesuit University
Stanley Jean-Baptiste – Football -Geneva College
Joel Nesi – Cross Country- Flagler College
Keith Kelley- Cross Country- Florida Southern
Kaeley Kellar- Volleyball- Gateway College
Adam Mineo – Boys Soccer- Warner University
Miguel Ortiz-Boys Soccer- Kentucky Christian
ROBERT E. LEE HIGH SCHOOL
Deshaun Davis – Football -FIorida International University
Tahveon Nicholson – Football – Florida Atlantic University
Trevor James – Football – Alcorn St
Cameron Sapp – Football – Florida A&M University
Logan Davis – Football – Warner
Jacob Olds – Football – Arkansas Baptist
Jurial Caldwell – Football – Undecided
Malik Brown – Football – Undecided
Raekwon Simmons – Football – Undecided
Jayden Williams – Golf – University of Maryland Eastern Shore
HAPPENING NOW: There’s only one thing you can hear in the Lee High gym this afternoon as 10 student athletes commit to continue to pursue academic and athletic excellence…the ROAR of support from the staff and students of #TeamDuval at Lee! CONGRATS SENIORS! #iChooseDCPS pic.twitter.com/VpIqG6X9im
— DCPS (@DuvalSchools) February 6, 2019
SANDALWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
Hunter Bradshaw – Baseball – St. Johns River State College
Elizabeth Speight – Bowling – Lourdes University
Grace Wright – CC/Track – Columbia University
Kaleob Parker – Football – Florida A&M University
Jered Geis – Football – Jacksonville University
Kamari Stephens – Football – Florida A&M University
Lauren Fisher – Softball – Florida A&M University
Caley Ruffin – Softball – South Georgia State College
Congrats to 2019 National signing day class. Go Saints! @talleymama @DuvalSchools pic.twitter.com/BxP4xRn3ae
— sandalwoodathletics (@sandalwoodathl1) February 6, 2019
OAKLEAF
Ammon Braden-NLI
Dexter Moore-NLI
Huge S/O to @OHSKnightsFB @Dext_9 & @AmmonBraden for signing their #NLI today! @LimestoneFB @USFMSOC #GoldStandard pic.twitter.com/FXWWZa02Ao
— Oakleaf HS Football (@OHSKnightsFB) February 6, 2019
PAXON SCHOOL OF ADVANCED STUDIES
Tyler Watson – Swimming – University of Florida
Tamari Mitchell – Volleyball and Track – Lane College
Isiah Bautista – Bowling – Midland University
PROVIDENCE
Tyler Callihan- Baseball-South Carolina
Anela Davis- Volleyball- Davidson
Josh Gray- Baseball- Tallahassee Community College;
Margaux Guy- Competitive Cheerleading- University of South Florida
Nathan Hickey- Baseball- Florida
Kamara Kelly- Volleyball- Albany
Blake Moran- Swimming-Florida State
Miller Murdaugh- Baseball- Trinity Baptist;
Madison Murray- Track and Field-Vanderbilt
Sam Nicholson- Golf- University of South Florida
Tucker Talbott- baseball- Florida
Celeste Valinho- golf- Virginia
Audrey Wood-, cross country- Samford University
ST. AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL
Alex Petrilli- Volleyball – Anderson College
Jacob Jones – Lacrosse – Embry Riddle.University
Jack Jones – Cross Country – Nova Southeastern University
Jeremy Michaux – Football – Wofford University
ST. JOHNS COUNTRY DAY
Jared Marsano – Soccer – Flagler College
Kamy Loustau – Soccer – Princeton University
Payton Walton – Soccer – St. Thomas University
Maddie Wilkes – Softball – Westpoint University
Bri Enter – Softball – Florida State University
Linsey Arnett – Softball – Southeatern University
STANTON COLLEGE PREP
Aubrey Armes-Johns – Soccer – Oglethorpe University
Brevan Heaton – Track & Field – Mount Saint Mary’s
Alyssa Brown – Volleyball – Florida A&M University
TERRY PARKER HIGH SCHOOL
Adonne’ Tillman – Basketball – Florida Southwestern
Jaida Reddin – Basketball – Indian River State College
Dante Lawrence – Football – Christopher Newport
Stop #5 @TPBravenation did not disappoint as the Braves were Super Excited for #NationalSigningDay2019 and so are we @DuvalSchools pic.twitter.com/gZSAimDO47
— Tammie K Talley (@talleymama) February 6, 2019
TRINITY CHRISTIAN
FOOTBALL
Marcus Crowley — Ohio St
Isaiah Washington — Rutgers Univ….
Stephen Williams — Fordham Univ.
Dominique Killens — Delta St. Univ.
C J Lockett — Valdosta St. Univ.
Andrew Clark — Methodist Univ.
BASEBALL
Conner Aldrich – Charleston Southern
Dawson Fietsam — East Florida State College
Justin Parrish — UNF
Dylan Simmons — FSU
Austin Thomas — University of Miami
SOFTBALL
Linzie Lafavor — Georgia Southern
Bailey Cooley — Eastern Florida State Collee
Alexis Ross – Florida International University
Congratulations to all of our student athletes that signed their letters of intent for athletic scholarships on National Signing Day! #tcajax #betterhappiersaferbrighter pic.twitter.com/9iVJ4CWzG9
— Trinity Christian Academy (@TCAJAX) February 6, 2019
UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN
Derrick Stumph- Jacksonville University
Allan Adams- University of Central Florida
Darius Abrams- Culver-Stockton
Jaedon Stoshak- Missouri Southern
Caleb Thomas- Jacksonville University
NSD @ UC!!!! Proud of these boys and the hard work they put in!!! Congratulations fellas!!!! @_calebthomas @j_stosh10 @Dino_big_moni @allanadams19 @Stumpeeee4 pic.twitter.com/ifvOtHhjkn
— David Penland III (@PEBODY83) February 6, 2019
WESTSIDE / Trinity Pawling School
Javon Bullion- The University of New Haven
Congratulation to Westside's own @javonieeee on his Signing to continue his academic and athletic career at The University of New Haven! Special Thanks to Trinity Pawling School for your leg of the relay! Charger Nation you"re Next!! pic.twitter.com/FHQURfnAC1
— Westside Wolverines Football (@DaWestBoyz) February 6, 2019
WEST NASSAU
Davian Williams- NLI Independence
