National Signing Day for high school athletes has become a big event for the Narbonne High School football team. Last year, 11 Gaucho football players signed National Letters of Intent. This year’s class was smaller, with five players signing in Narbonne’s multi-purpose room, but more Narbonne football signings in the coming days are a distinct possibility.
Cornerback Mario Williams (Southern Utah), wide receiver Tre Walker (San Jose State), defensive end/linebacker Anthony Pandy (Arizona), defensive lineman Dominic Peterson (Nevada) and nose tackle Boe Tufele (Georgia Tech) made it official on Wednesday.
Narbonne coach Manuel Douglas said that running back Kameran Denmark, wide receivers Stephone Robinson and Tyrone Marshall, safety Justin Prince and offensive lineman Shama Tapua could sign in the next few days.
Douglas was proud of all his players who received scholarships.
“These kids come to our program and we do a lot for them, especially me and coach Brandon (Manumaleuna) and we get attached to them,” Douglas said. “Each kid has their story on how they got here to this point and that’s why I got a little emotional with Boe, knowing what he’s been through to get there and going to Georgia Tech is a blessing. But I’m proud of all these kids today.”
Tufele, who has been shot and stabbed and also has suffered from a torn ACL, feels especially blessed to be able to play college football.
“I don’t even know what to say, it’s an amazing feeling. I just thank God for this beautiful opportunity,” Tufele said. “It’s just an emotional moment knowing all that I have been through. It was a very long, hard journey, but I did it and I’m just so happy.”
Peterson, who also plays basketball for Narbonne, was very happy to be going to Nevada.
“This time here went by so fast, it seems like you work hard for something and when you get it, it’s like, ‘Wow it’s really here,’” Peterson said. “Once you get what you wanted it is an amazing feeling.”
Serra, which was only sure about two players signing a few days ago, ended up with five signing National Letters of Intent.
Dual-threat quarterback Jalani Eason, who narrowed his choices down to Portland State and UC Davis, signed with Portland State. Linebacker Tysyn Parker recently flipped from Sacramento State to San Jose State and made it official with San Jose.
Linemen Tamrick and Kordell Ross are heading to Minot State and receiver Deion Malone is Penn-bound.
At Leuzinger, quarterback Kaymen Cureton narrowed his choices to to Nevada and New Mexico before choosing Nevada on Wednesday afternoon. At San Pedro High, lineman Nick Ford, who had narrowed his choices to Utah, Washington, Cal and Colorado, signed with Utah.
Three South Bay players who stuck to their verbal commitments include Palos Verdes’ Shane Irwin, who made it official with San Diego State; Morningside’s Patrick Jeune, who signed with Fresno State; and El Segundo’s Brandon Weldon, who signed with Sacramento State.
Marte Mapu, who played several positions for Hawthorne this season, also signed with Sacramento State.
— Dave Thorpe & David Rice