The drama of Signing day is now behind us. Let's take a look at what all transpired:
Media outlets from all over the country came out to Miramar for our signing day ceremony. With no fewer than 10 TV cameras, and countless flip cams as well, each player got to experience signing day as the star of the show.
A short list of the media outlets in attendance today: ESPNU, Rivals.com, Scout.com, CBS 4, NBC 6, WSVN Channel 7, BECON television, The Associated Press, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald, Maxpreps.com, FLalligatoralley.com, and Canesport.com. And that's just off the top of my head.
All told, Miramar had 14 players sign college scholarships, with 3 more players letting us know where they would be continuing their academic pursuits. Here's the list:
Athletic Scholarship Athletes
- Safety Kiwan Cottle - Northwood University
- Defensive End/Linebacker Michael Fleurinvil - Northwood University
- Offensive Lineman Daniel Lennon - Florida A&M University
- Wide Receiver Reginald Lennon - Florida A&M University
- Running Back D'Vontis Arnold - West Virginia University
- Wide Receiver Devonte Mathis - West Virginia University
- Quarterback Camren Hudge - University of Delaware
- Defensive Tackle Willie Paisley - Southern University
- Linebacker Brian Williams - Georgia State University
- Defensive End/Linebacker Trevon Coley - Florida Atlantic University
- Offensive Lineman Kevin Gonzalez - Howard University
- Offensive Lineman Clevonne Davis - North Carolina Central University
- Wide Receiver Malcolm Lewis - University of Miami
- Cornerback Tracy Howard - University of Miami
Academic Committments
- Kazir Tyson - Nova Southeastern University
- Marquel Jones - University of Central Florida
- Trey Cogdello - Morehouse College
In addition to the above listed student-athletes, 12 more Patriots participated in the signing day ceremony, and informed the crowd that they were undecided in their selection process.
The most obvious of these were players I spoke about in the Signing Day Primer, part 1: Marrell Jackson and Mark Rucker. Jackson, who visited UCLA last weekend, will take official visits to Hawai'i and Kentucky in upcoming weeks. Rucker, whose recruiting struggles were detailed in the Sun-Sentinel a week ago, is still sending highlight tapes, and anxiously awaiting an offer.
The big story, before the BIG STORY, was that several players either flipped commitments, or went from undecided to selecting a school. D'Vontis Arnold, who as recently as Sunday was headed to Bethune Cookman, got his offer from West Virginia on Tuesday morning, and flipped his commitment then. Trevon Coley, who was undecided as of Monday when I wrote the first recruiting article, got his offer from Florida Atlantic late Monday night, and committed on the spot.
And then, there was Tracy Howard.
The media was out in full force to chronicle his every move, hanging on his every word, waiting for him to make known his college destination. When Geno Smith and Ivan McCartney made their decisions, there was coverage, and media members were present. But the circus surrounding Tracy Howard's announcement was something never before seen at Miramar High School.
In the end, after waiting at the podium for nearly 5 minutes for ESPNU to begin their live broadcast, Tracy Howard answered questions from Dari Nowkah, and then said the words that would delight one fan base, and disappoint another:
I will be spending the next 3 to 4 years furthering my education, and my athletic abilities, at the University of Miami!
A surprise for some, but not to me. As I said in yesterday's Tracy Howard Extravaganza, I thought he would end up choosing UM, and my prediction came true shortly after 10:00AM today.
Signing Day 2012 was a fantastic day for the players, their families, the Miramar Football team, and most of all, for all Miramar Patriots.
It was an absolutely electric environment, and all in attendance (or watching on ESPNU) were treated to a first class event.
The players must move on and prove themselves at the next level.
If their high school careers are any indication, that shouldn't be a problem.
Until Next Time,
Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports
