PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. – For the first time, high school seniors were able to officially sign national letters of intent in the month of December.
Several of our area’s top 2018 prospects took advantage of this opportunity on Dec. 20, as they effectively closed the book on high school and began their transition into the college realm.
Among those who took the stage by storm yesterday were the likes of Benjamin quarterback and Louisville signee Jordan Travis and offensive lineman/Virginia signee Martin Weisz. They signed with their respective ACC schools early in the morning.
Benjamin 2020 defensive back Rashaune Downie showed that he could have a future in journalism if he desires to do so. He interviewed Weisz right after the signing ceremony took place.
“When my offensive line coach gave me the offer, it truly felt that it would be the place for me,” Weisz told Downie. “And then when I took my visit there over the summer, I met with all the coaches. I went to the camp and met all the academic staff. I committed on the visit because I knew the place was for me and the coaches truly care about their players. When I leave, I know I will be a better player and man. So I was thankful that I was able to sign with them and make it official.”
Downie asked Weisz what he will miss about Benjamin.
“I enjoyed my four years of high school at Benjamin,” said Weisz, who is fluent in 10 different languages, including Chinese. “I enjoyed all the help and assistance I got from my teachers and administrators. I enjoyed all of my classmates. I never had any problems with them. I felt that Benjamin prepared my for Virginia. I definitely feel I became a better human being here.”
The next stop on New Era Prep’s Early National Signing Day Tour was Boca Raton, where 2018 tight end Dante Lang signed his letter of intent with Florida. He was definitely happy about his decision to go with the SEC school.
“I would like to thank my friends, my family, my girlfriend, Coach (Eric) Davis, and my teachers,” Lang said during yesterday’s Early National Signing Day Ceremony. “Y’all were all there for me since I have been in high school. Also I would like to thank the University of Florida for giving me a chance to go to their wonderful school and play. Football is the sport I love. And that’s it.”
The day’s next and final two stops were split between Palm Beach Gardens and Dwyer, though neither location was at a school.
In the early afternoon hours, Palm Beach Gardens 2018 defensive end Jarrett Jackson had perhaps the most memorable moment in Palm Beach County. He huddled his family, friends, coaches, teammates, and media members at Miller’s Ale House in Palm Beach Gardens to reveal his final decision between Louisville and South Carolina.
After much suspense over the past several weeks, Jackson ultimately stuck with his original verbal commitment to Louisville. It was met with a round of applause and support from everyone who attended his momentous occasion.
And later on, Dwyer 2018 cornerback Cameron Jonas signed with Syracuse at JJ Muggs Sporting Grill in Jupiter. Jonas was joined by fellow senior Justin Birchette, who signed with Ohio.
“Justin and Cam were great players for Dwyer”, head coach Jack Daniels said. “Losing Cam at the beginning of the year was a big blow for us. It was devastating mentally and physically for him. For me, it was just crushing because he was probably our best player. But he has rebounded and now has something to live for. As for Justin, he had a great senior year for us. These guys are going to be great college football players and hopefully make it to the NFL. I’m very lucky to have had them at Dwyer High School.”
Other key signings from the day in Palm Beach County included the following:
Atlantic CB Kenih Lovely to Western Michigan
Oxbridge Academy – DB Keidron Smith to Ole Miss
Palm Beach Gardens – DB Gurvan Hall to Miami
Additional reporting by Xavon Christopher and Kenneth Stephens
