Changes in the NCAA recruiting calendar have shifted much of that attention to December since the early signing period was created for the class of 2018, but plenty of athletes local and across the country will get a chance to celebrate this week after choosing their future colleges over the past few weeks.
That includes four players from Fairfield, where receiver/defensive back Derion Prophett committed to Walsh, running back Tyler George committed to Thomas More, offensive lineman Ryan Riemenschneider is headed to Fairmont State and offensive lineman Carson Scott is set to sign with Valparaiso.
Also headed to Walsh is Kellan Wright, a linebacker/defensive end from Ross, while Fairmont specialist Max Gehring announced Saturday he has verbally committed to Morehead State University and teammate Brock Baker intends to continue his career at Indiana Wesleyan.
Baker missed the Firebirds’ playoff run because of an injury, but he was named the Greater Western Ohio Conference Offensive Player of the Year after quarterbacking Fairmont to its first GWOC championship.
Gehring made 9 of 15 field goals, including a 51-yarder, and averaged 41.7 yards per punt while Baker threw for 460 yards and ran for 429 in Fairmont’s triple-option offense.
Tippecanoe receiver Jackson Davis also announced a decision recently. He will be continuing his career at Findlay after catching 73 passes for 1,153 yards last season for the Red Devils.
Credit: DaytonDailyNews
Ashland also has a commitment from Springboro linebacker Aiden Weimer, who was the GWOC Defensive Player of the Year last fall after notching 128 tackles for the Panthers, while Trotwood-Madison linebacker Xavier Middleton has committed to Ohio Dominican, a rival of Ashland and Findlay at the Division II level in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Another of the area’s most productive players, Bellefontaine receiver Braylon Newcomb, announced last week he will sign with Eastern Kentucky after catching 77 passes for 1,195 yards and 17 touchdowns from Ohio State signee Tavien St. Clair last fall.
St. Clair headlines a group of more than 20 players from the area who signed in December with Division I schools: Lakota West tight end Luka Gilbert (Miami, Fla.), Lakota West linebacker Grant Beerman (Illinois), Hamilton defensive back Noah King (Kansas State), Trotwood-Madison offensive lineman Jermiel Atkins (Kentucky), Northmont offensive lineman Jayden Clark (Kentucky), Hamilton defensive end Trey Verdon (Iowa State), Centerville offensive lineman (Iowa State), Lakota East quarterback Jamison Kitna (Bowling Green), Wayne tight end Ka’Maurri Smith (Cincinnati), Wayne quarterback Tyrell Lewis (Arkansas State), Wayne receiver Teaunn Hunter (Kent State), Springfield tight end Zy’Aire Fletcher (Kent State), Stebbins offensive lineman Isiah Stoudemire (Western Kentucky), Lakota West end Vincent Giordano (Bowling Green), Trotwood-Madison defensive back Jahmale Clark (Massachusetts), Lakota East offensive lineman Tyler Meadows (Kent State), Xenia kicker Sean Leonard (Kent State), Fairfield defensive back Tyon Spiller (Navy), Wayne defensive back Aden Vaughn (Youngstown State), Trotwood-Madison receiver/running back Baron White (Youngstown State) and Alter linebacker Okembi Eze (Butler).
About the Author
