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Early Signing Day In Arizona: Social Media Announcements and Reactions

Arizona Sports News online

Today is early signing day across the country and Arizona is flooded with talented student-athletes putting pen to paper to continue their athletic careers. There may be some athletes that have been verbally committed to their school for several months but there may also be some surprises. Many student-athletes are opting to sign during the late signing period with so much movement in the transfer portal. Nonetheless, it’s an eventful day in State 48. 

This article will be updated throughout the day. Search for players by school or name. 

Basha High School

Cole Martin – University of Oregon

The National Football Foundation Valley of the Sun Specialist of the Year has put pen to paper and is officially an Oregon Duck. Cole announced his commitment nearly one year ago, on Jan. 1. Cole helped lead the Basha Bears to their first-ever State Championship. The Bears DB/RB had 695 All-Purpose Yards, 84 tackles, two fumble causes and one interception in his senior season. 

Deshaun “Day Day” Buchanan – University of Idaho

Day Day was a force to be reckoned with in the Open Divison State Championship game. Buchanan posted 1,195 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns in the regular season. Through the championship win he had 1,692 yards, 22 touchdowns and broke two school records. He earned the National Football Foundation Valley of the Sun Chapter Running Back of the Year award. Day Day committed to the University of Idaho in July. 

Ryan Blum – Central Michigan

Basha Center Ryan Blum is among the top 10 in the nation. Ryan committed to Central Michigan University in June and proved his skill throughout the 2022 season. 

James Durand – University of Wisconsin

James Durand has been set on the University of Wisconsin since he announced his commitment last May. 

Wyatt Milkovic – Boise State

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Basha linebacker announced his commitment to Boise State on Aug.1 following his official visit. In his final season with the Bears he had 144 total tackles, four sacks, 13 quarterback hurries and three pass breakups. 

Saguaro High School

Devon Dampier – University of New Mexico

The National Football Foundation Valley of the Sun Chapter Quarterback of the Year winner is officially heading to the University of New Mexico. He committed to the Lobos in late October and will be a force as a dual-threat quarterback at the next level. Dampier led the Saguaro Sabercats to back-to-back Open Division State Championship games. Devon threw for over 2,400 yards, rushed for over 1,300 and had 33 total touchdowns for the Sabercats. 

“The coaching staff over the phone and in person made it clear I was a priority. And by coaching staff I mean all of them! They’ve been showing the same energy since the first time they seen my junior film.”

Devon is enrolled in classes at New Mexico this spring to get a head start on his college football career. 

“I have a chance to compete for a spot right away so I just wanted to have the extra time to know the system and process things as soon as possible.”

Cole Shivers – Northwestern

The Saguaro Sabercats Cornerback has been committed to the Wildcats since May. In his final season as a Sabercat Cole posted 7 pass breakups and 47 total tackles.

Tanyon Shea Freibaum – Oklahoma State University 

Tanyon is enrolled for classes at Oklahoma State University this spring and will get a head-start on his college football career. 

Levi Robins- Columbia

Levi Robins committed to Columbia in late August and made his next chapter official today. The Saguaro High School defensive back posted 71 total tackles, two interceptions and 20 pass breakups in his final season for the Sabercats. 

Hamilton High School 

Tré Spivey – Kansas State

Tre Spivey waited until signing to reveal where he plans to spend the next four years of his college football career. Spivey was deciding between Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and the University of Arizona. In his final season as a Hamilton Husky had 984 receiving yards, 65 catches and 15 touchdowns. 

Taye Brown – University of Arizona

In his final season as a Husky, Taye recorded 47 solo tackles, 91 total tackles, 10 sacks and had two interceptions for Hamilton. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker goes to the Wildcats with a lot of speed and experience against some of the best high school football teams in Arizona.

Throughout his recruiting process, Taye reached out to his former teammates and current Wildcats Grayson Stovall and Russell “Duece” Davis.

“I’ve asked him about coach Nansen and he says he’s just a great guy. Like there’s times to joke around but he can also be serious and that’s what I like about a coach. I don’t want him to be too serious all the time, I want him to have fun too.”

Genesis Smith – University of Arizona

The 6-foot-2, 188-pound free safety had 59 total tackles, four interceptions and one quarterback hurry in his final season. Genesis won’t be too far from home joining the Wildcats at the University of Arizona. 

Cooper LeDuc – Southern Utah University 

The Huskies defensive back committed to Southern Utah University alongside several of his teammates. In his final season at Hamilton he posted 80 total tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 24 pass breakups. 

Griffin Stalfort – Air Force

The Hamilton Huskies center is continuing his college football career in Colorado Springs at Air Force. He announced his committment in late June. The 6-foot-2, 280-pound center had three pancake blocks and nine total tackles in six games this season. 

Highland High School

Caleb Lomu – University of Utah

Highland Hawks offensive lineman Caleb Lomu made his commitment to Utah in late November. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound offensive lineman was choosing between four schools before ultimately landing on Utah. He says the coaching staff, proximity to home and having family in the area all made the University of Utah feel like home. This season Lomu earned 6A Northeast Valley All-Region 1st Team and helped lead his team to the 6A Championship. Below, Caleb discusses his decision and how being a Hawk helped prepare him for his college football career. 

Pinnacle High School 

Elijah Paige – University of Southern California

Elihah Paige decommitted from Notre Dame in late September before choosing to commit to USC in early October. Elijah wanted to continue his athletic career a bit closer to home and felt that USC was the perfect fit. Below Elijah discusses why USC was the place to be.

Liberty High School 

My’Keil Gardner – University of Oregon

My’Keil Gardner signed his NLI on Wednesday morning four months after announcing his plans to continue his career at Oregon. My’Keil earned the Curley Culp Defensive Lineman of the year award alongside another future Oregon Duck in Arizona. My’Keil broke down his commitment to the Ducks earlier this year on The Recruiting Roundup. 

Chandler High School 

A’mauri Washington – University of Oregon 

Another Curley Culp winner headed off to the University of Oregon. A’mauri committed to the Oregon in early September and helped lead his team to earn the No. 1 seed in the Open Division. 

 

ALA Gilbert-North

Adam Damante – Northern Arizona University

One of the state’s top quarterbacks put pen to paper on Wednesday morning, signing his NLI to NAU. In the regular season, Damante posted 4,769 passing yards (No. 2 in the nation) and 59 touchdown passes (No. 1 in the nation) and finished his high school football career as a 4A state champion. 

 

Cesar Chavez High School

Myseth Currie – Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University strikes again picking up wide receiver/defensive back Myseth Currie. Myseth announced his commitment to the Lumberjacks in June. At the time of his verbal commitment, Currie said the program felt like home. His commitment took place on Father’s Day in honor of his late father. 

“My dad played a huge role in my life, especially in the football world. All I want to do is make him proud and I appreciate NAU for giving me a chance.”

 

Queen Creek High School 

Porter Reynolds – Northern Arizona University

Porter committed to NAU on Aug. 1 but made things official on early signing day, alongside a fellow teammate. In his final high school season, the Queen Creek linebacker posted 115 total tackles, 4 sacks and 3 caused fumbles. 

 

Mountain View High School 

Sirri Kandiyeli – Arizona State University 

Sirri Kandiyeli made things official on Wednesday morning and will be staying very close to home. The future Sun Devil says the new coaching staff made an immediate effort to reach out to him as he planned to commit to ASU under Shaun Aguano. 

Jackson Bowers – Brigham Young University

Toros tight end Jackson Bowers committed to BYU in late July before putting pen to paper today. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound tight end had 334 receiving yards, 37 catches and three touchdowns in his final season at Mountain View. Bowers is the No. 6 prospect in Arizona according to 247Sports. 

 

Horizon High School

Matthew Klopfenstein – Baylor

The future Baylor Bear announced his commitment in the courtyard of Horizon High School on April 7. In his final season at Horizon, Klopfenstein averaged 15 yards per catch on 38 receptions and posted 652 yards with six touchdowns. The Todd Heap Tight End of the Year is enrolled in classes at Baylor this Spring. 

Red Mountain High School

Lenox Lawson – Arizona State University 

Lenox decommited from Central Michigan University less than one week before today’s National Signing Day. Following an official visit to Arizona State University this past weekend, Lenox will be staying in the Valley as a future Sun Devil. In his final season at Red Mountain he rushed for 1,292 yards, had 170 carries, posted 10 rushing touchdowns and 13 total touchdowns. 

Chaparral High School

Gavin Geweniger – Stanford University 

It’s always been Stanford for Gavin Geweniger, from a young age it was his dream school. Gavin committed to Stanford in late August and his choice never wavered. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end averaged four tackles per game in his final season, had 83 total tackles and 11 sacks. Gavin broke down his commitment to Stanford earlier this year on The Recruiting Roundup. 

Desert Edge High School 

Kaleb Jackson-Carter – University of Hawaii

The Scorpion is trading the desert for the tropics and will be continuing his football career at the University of Hawaii. 

https://twitter.com/Kaleb13Jackson/status/1605620747417767936

 

 

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