The late signing period was full of action across the state as athletes made their college commitments official throughout the Valley. I dropped in on a few signing celebrations to chat with players about their commitments and accomplishments. My first stop of the day was at Chandler High School as they held their signing ceremony in the Chandler Center for the Arts.
Chandler High School
8️⃣ @chandlerwolves putting pen to paper today & celebrating their accomplishments.@Sports360AZ
(Ft. @FrankyXMorales, @Devin_Dunn9, @QuaronAdams, @smitty24__, @JeremiahMoore26, @CySlayer5, @GarretsonRick) pic.twitter.com/0IqeGNtGfT
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) February 2, 2022
Coach Rick Garretson spoke about each of the eight players before they each signed their National Letter of Intent.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZes8MnqauY/
Two Wolves decided to continue their football career in the Big Sky Conference at the University of Northern Colorado. Defensive backs Franky Morales and Alfred Smith always planned to play football at the next level together. The duo originally planned to take their talents elsewhere but landed on UNC after the university pursued them both.
Alfred Smith – DB – University of Northern Coloardo
“Me and Franky, it’s going to be fun for sure,” Smith laughed. “We were supposed to team up somewhere else but we teamed up here.”
Garretson described “Smitty” as a unique and physical football player despite his size.
“His physicality in film just comes across the board,” Garretson said. “He made big plays in big moments, was a solid figure on a really great defense the past two years.”
Joining @FrankyXMorales at UNC is Wolves DB @smitty24__!
The two always planned to take their talents to the next level together🐻 @GarretsonRick: “He made big plays in big moments and was a solid figure on a really great defense.” @Sports360AZ @chandlerwolves pic.twitter.com/U2pOR5LzcV
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) February 2, 2022
Franky Morales – DB – University of Northern Coloardo
Franky Morales announced his decision to commit to UNC on Feb 1., just one day ahead of signing day.
“It’s really turning dreams into reality,” Morales said. “I’ve always thought of this moment as a young kid.”
Garretson nicknamed Morales “The Bandit” and described him as a big-time playmaker. Morales made it known as a sophomore that he would work for a starting spot on the roster and made his first appearance that season against Hamilton.
“It’s hard to play as a sophomore at this place,” Garretson said. “He stayed with it, manned up, and started in the Hamilton game his sophomore year and it went from there.”
Had a minute to chat with @chandlerwolves defensive back @FrankyXMorales (AKA “The Bandit”) about his commitment to the University of Northern Colorado. @GarretsonRick said he worked hard to get his first start as a sophomore & will continue to make big plays at the next level. pic.twitter.com/Ljmqstp1eQ
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) February 2, 2022
Devin Dunn – Safety – Air Force
“Today is really a culmination of all my hard work and efforts and being able to show it off,” Dunn said.
Safety Devin Dunn chose to continue his career at Air Force where he’s excited about the opportunity to play football, further his career, and serve the country. His mom sat beside him as Devin signed his NLI and said she’s proud of everything he’s accomplished (especially his grades!).
“Devin Dunn is what we would call a diversified player,” said Garretson. “He can play the strong safety spot, he can be an edge-blitz guy, he can be a man cover guy, and when we talk about running the football he’s a guy that can definitely do that.”
Chandler safety @Devin_Dunn9 is taking off to @AF_Football to further his career✈️
“It’s just a great thing to do something and serve something that’s greater than yourself.”
+ it’s always nice to hear a mom share how proud she is of her son. @GarretsonRick @chandlerwolves pic.twitter.com/QSUP91rDn1
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) February 2, 2022
Jacob Holmes – DL – Fresno State
Jacob Holmes transferred to Chandler ahead of the 2021 season from Cesar Chavez in order to get an opportunity to play his senior season. Despite missing five games due to transfer rules he still made a huge impact on the Wolves’ defense.
“He became one of the most dominant players on the defensive line in the state of Arizona,” Garretson said. “He was a guy that could play inside, a guy that could play outside, and he’s got tremendous physical skill, and he’s built to succeed.”
Jacob was excited about making his college commitment official but he may be even more excited about the crab dinner he has planned to celebrate!
And you’ve gotta love @Jacobholmes33 keepin’ it real with the NLI celebration 🦀 (watch til the end).
The defensive lineman is headed to @FresnoStateFB.Holmes joined @chandlerwolves from @FootballCesar but despite missing 5 games due to transferring he still made a huge impact pic.twitter.com/jKkowSqWI7
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) February 2, 2022
Hamilton High School
A handful of coaches and staff members took the time to acknowledge each player signing their NLI’s today. After Coach Zdebski gave a little praise to each player, the seven athletes got an opportunity to say a speech before making things official.
7️⃣ @Husky_Football7 players signing their National Letters of Intent today. @Sports360AZ pic.twitter.com/NGhdHFoEwW
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) February 2, 2022
Tre Tate – DB – Northern Arizona University
Tre Tate is staying pretty close to home as he heads a bit north to become a Lumberjack. Tate received his offer from NAU on Dec. 6 and made his official visit to Flagstaff on Jan. 17. He said coach Ball was truly the difference-maker in sealing his decision to further his career at NAU. Tre is excited to be close enough to home for his family to watch him play on Saturdays.
Couple quick interviews coming your way from @Husky_Football7.@Tretate7 heading just a bit north to @NAU_Football @CoachChrisBall @CoachThompson6 pic.twitter.com/64kafmlRmN
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) February 2, 2022
Three Hamilton Huskies are headed to Ottawa University and made sat side-by-side as they signed their NLI’s.
Jonathan Lozano -Tackle – Ottawa University
Jonathan transferred to Hamilton last year after moving from his small town in Colorado. Lozano was emotional in his speech as he shared that he never imagined that when his dad started coaching him in Pee-wee football that it would lead to this moment.
A bit emotional during his speech, @jonlozano72 thanked the team of people that helped him become a part of @Husky_Football7.
Jonathan became a Husky last year after moving from Colorado.
He is ALSO joining @OUAZFootball with a few of his teammates👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/L8HTsaAW14
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) February 2, 2022
Quentin Ross – Wide Receiver – Ottawa University
Quentin said his senior year was pivotal to turning him into a better leader. Heading into his final season as a Husky, Quentin was focused on getting looks from universities and getting reps but he said his coaches helped him change his mindset to become a better example.
Talked with @Husky_Football7 WR @Quentin__Ross about his commitment to @OUAZFootball.
Teammates @Jcgant11 & @jonlozano72 also signed for Ottawa University today. pic.twitter.com/SwEnT3cWKd— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) February 3, 2022
Dawson Hubbard – Defensive Tackle – Butler University
Hubbard is taking his talents a little closer to home as he committed to Butler University. Dawson moved from Illinois to Chandler, AZ in 2020 and fully embraced the Husky mentality.
Dawson thanked nearly a dozen people in his speech that helped him make Arizona his home.
“I’d like to thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to move across the country to a place that we didn’t really know about,” Hubbard said. “I also want to thank my Arizona parents who allowed me into their home, let me eat their food, and made me a part of their family.”
Headed off to @ButlerUFootball is defensive tackle @Dawson7512.
Dawson moved from Illinois to Chandler, AZ in 2020. Now he’s getting a bit closer to his home state as he continues his playing career in Indiana. @Husky_Football7 pic.twitter.com/Mu0wnPlLVe
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) February 2, 2022
Camden Haggard – Safety – Northern State University
Camden Haggard received his offer to Northern State University in June of 2021 but made his decision to go from Husky to Wolf on February signing day.
“There’s no school I’d rather go to than Hamilton,” Haggard said. “The brotherhood is unmatched no matter whether you’re a freshman or a senior everybody supports each other.”
Last but not least @camdenhaggard is joining the @NSUWolves_FB team. He’s confident that his go-getter mentality will help him excel at Northern State University. @Husky_Football7 pic.twitter.com/m1wgqugOR1
— Claudia Collins (@ClaudiafCollins) February 3, 2022