High school athletes ready to commit to colleges

The waiting, pondering – the recruiting – all of it ends today when high school football players declare their intentions and sign on the dotted line.

National letter-of-intent activities were to start at 7 this morning, with as many as 33 local players and their families, friends and coaches huddled around fax machines to ensure the paperwork is safely delivered.

It is the first day of the year that student-athletes can formally accept college scholarships, binding deals meant to provide education in exchange for touchdowns, tackles, leadership or depth on teams at colleges across the nation. Signatures help college programs form secure foundations for their future, gleaning the region's diverse talent.

This year's crop of players will be spread across the United States, starting close to home, heading north and south, then off across the continent. From Sacramento State to UC Davis, USC, Oregon, Utah State, Northern Arizona, Nevada, Yale, Princeton and many other schools – the capital region will represent.

"It's a great number of scholarships for this area," said Del Campo coach Mike Dimino, who will see three of his players sign: tight end Nate Doverspike with Sac State, defensive back Tony Gobern with Washington and lineman Colin Lyons with Oregon State. "It just recognizes how good Sacramento football is."

Some athletes made verbal commitments last spring or summer, including arguably the area's top prize in Pleasant Grove All-America defensive end Armond Armstead, who is bound for national power USC. Armstead's teammate, late-blooming tailback Deonte Williams, burst onto the regional scene and the recruiting radar just this fall. After a 29-touchdown season and gobs of eye-popping film, he gave a verbal commitment to Northern Arizona, a Division I-AA program in the Big Sky Conference.

Armstead said he was firm with USC from the start – and right on to the end. He will join seven Elk Grove Unified School District players who will sign at the district office today. Williams said nothing could change his mind about Northern Arizona.

"Even if USC called right now, I'd still stick with Northern Arizona," Williams said. "I'm a man of my word."

But the decision-making process can be fluid until pen hits paper. As much as college programs waver on recruits – hot on the trail one moment, then cooling the next – it goes both ways. Elk Grove cornerback Kevin Frank gave Boise State a verbal commitment following the Herd's 12-1 season, but last week he decided on Washington State after visiting the Pullman campus, giving the Cougars a verbal commitment. He said he will make it official with his letter to WSU and new coach Paul Wulff, a Davis High and WSU graduate.

Inderkum defensive lineman Greg Grimes gave Utah State a verbal commitment on Thursday, then changed his mind and opted for Boise State on Monday. He said he is firm with the Broncos. Inderkum teammate Jermaine Fox, a defensive back, is off to Weber State.

Jesuit has six players expected to sign today, including late verbal commitments by defensive back Isaiah Frey to Nevada and quarterback Dominic Carmazzi and receiver/defensive back Marquese Smith to Sac State.

Additionally, Jesuit lineman Andrew Benjamin is off to UCD, with Ivy League recruits in linebacker Jordan Haynes and receiver/cornerback Issac Serwanga heading to Yale and Princeton, respectively.

Folsom will have three players sign: quarterback Cary Grossart with Northern Arizona, lineman Aaron Coldeweih with UC Davis and linebacker Ryan Rau with Portland State.

Del Oro will have three signees in linemen Jason Heath with UNLV, Jack Reynoso with Nevada and tight end Ryan Otten with San Jose State.

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