PALM BEACH GARDENS – Nobody saw this coming.
Daniel McCullon was simply content with choosing one of his four offers to Columbia, Brown, Florida Tech, and St. Anselem College. Then at the last minute (figuratively), Benjamin head coach Eric Kresser conducted some behind-the-scenes work on his behalf.
It resulted in McCullon’s ability to get his fifth offer from UCF. He quickly turned that into a verbal pledge on Wednesday (Feb. 5) and made it official with his signing on Thursday (Feb. 6).
“Coach [Willie] Martinez (defensive backs coach at UCF) came by the school this past week, and Kresser told him my story about my late blooming in my high school career as a football player,” McCullon said.
“He had a spot at DB and was very interested in me,” he continued. “He watched my tape over with the recruiting coordinator. He came back this past weekend and told Kresser he wants me to PWO (preferred walk-on) my first year, and from there I would have a scholarship the following years. I’ve always wanted to put on for my city, especially being able to do it right here at home. I felt like this was an opportunity I could not pass up on.”
Just to be clear, Daniel McCullon’s choice to go with UCF was fully supported by his parents, Maria and Fabian McCullon.
“He was looking for a home, and UCF gave him that,” Maria McCullon said of her son. “He was happy when speaking to us. And of course, we made a family decision for that 40-year plan.”
With all that said, Daniel McCullon wasn’t the only Benjamin player who signed his letter of intent yesterday.
Roshaune Downie officially inked with Denison. It marked the close of a memorable high school football experience that began at Cardinal Newman and climaxed at Benjamin.
“It was good,” Downie said. I had my mom and brother there, which is always great. I also got to do it with my friends, so it was cool. The school did a good job.”
Tommy Rooney has officially signed with Lehigh. It was a memorable moment for our No. 1-ranked tight end and No. 68 overall player in Palm Beach County.
Rooney revealed his verbal pledge to Lehigh on Dec. 25, 2019 and did not change his mind at any point.
“It was awesome,” Rooney said. “Getting to sign with my brothers and friends, with our families there and the whole school watching, was a experience I will always remember.”
Other Benjamin players who signed yesterday were Daymon Cantave (No. 7 LB; No. 52 overall player in Palm Beach County; Florida Tech walk-on), Vance Hendryx (Stetson) and Addison Matevia (Brown).
Last but not least, defensive end/linebacker Cameron Williams (No. 3 DE/LB; 54 overall player in Palm Beach County) will move on to play college ball at Keiser. He reportedly signed on Wednesday, but did not actively participate in the signing ceremony at Benjamin.
PHOTO CREDITS: Roshaune Downie and Maria McCullon
