PALM BEACH COUNTY – The 2019 National Signing Day took place this past week on Wednesday (Feb. 6), where we saw 85 players from 21 different schools commit to playing football at the collegiate level.
Arguably the biggest signee announcement to hit Palm Beach County this year was broadcasted on ESPN2 for the whole world to see.
Under Armour All-American and 4-star CB Kaiir Elam announced his college decision in front of a packed room at The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach. After trimming his list from 41 down to four, the No. 9 ranked prospect in the state chose to remain in Florida and become a Gator.
Elam, who chose Florida over Colorado, Georgia, and Miami, said he “had to sit down and make a business decision,” and “…at the end of the day I had to make the best decision for me, my family, and I.”
Less than 30 miles away, fellow four-star prospect Mark-Antony Richards was making his decision heard at Wellington High School.
Similar to Elam, Richards had his choices consisting of Florida and Miami as well. Unlike Elam though, Richards decided to leave the state of Florida and commit to the University of Auburn.
The No. 3 ranked athlete – and No. 11 overall prospect in Florida – decided to attend Auburn after talking it over with his family. At one point, Richards “just kept thinking Auburn.”
People who have heard the last name Richards before might be a little surprised to see Mark-Antony choose the Tigers, as he is the younger brother of former Miami Hurricane wide receiver Ahmmon Richards. Ahmmon, who accumulated 74 catches for 1,382 yards before being forced to medically retire this year, “loved the decision,” and thought his little brother was “becoming his own man.”
Elam and Richards weren’t the only guys from Palm Beach County to sign to Power 5 programs.
Palm Beach Central three-star lineman Renato Brown signed with Lousiville over offers from FIU, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Virginia, among others.
The 6-5, 300-pounder is coming off a senior season where he helped lead his squad to a regional championship berth in Class 8A and 11-2 overall finish.
Dwyer three-star defensive end Ishmael Goulbourne commited to Syracuse before the season started and stuck with the Orange all the way through, officially signing on Wednesday. The 6-3, 195-pounder is the 115th best weakside defensive end in the country.
Another defensive end who signed is Delray Beach-American Heritage’s Michael Morris, who signed with Michigan.
Morris, the No. 48-ranked prospect in Florida, helped lead the Stallions to the Class 3A regional championship, where they fell to eventual state champion Chaminade-Madonna.
Heading down south to FIU is Atlantic three-star tight end Kamareon Williams. He is the only Palm Beach County high school who signed with the Panthers this year.
Dwyer running back James Meeks signed with the FAU Owls. But the three-star prospect will grayshirt the 2019 season after tearing his ACL near the end of his senior season.
Meeks will officially enroll at FAU in 2020.
Joining Meeks aboard the Lane Train is Guinness world record holder and Wellington wide receiver Dane Stratton, along with Pahokee teammates and fellow three-stars Deante Nelson (athlete) and Deshawn Richardson (offensive lineman).
Of all the FBS (Division l) colleges in South Florida, FAU had the most success in Palm Beach County, as it led with four area players signing their letters of intent. FIU was second with one area signee, while Miami (not surprisingly) struck out with zero signees in our area.
With respect to our area high schools, Dwyer had the most signings in the county with 13, followed closely behind by Pahokee with 11.
Park Vista and Atlantic tied for third with seven apiece.
Here is the complete list of players who signed in Palm Beach County:
AMERICAN HERITAGE (5)
RB Therdens Conserve (Mississippi College)
K/P Lucas Matias (Keiser)
DE Michael Morris (Michigan)
RB Isaiah Rampart (Keiser)
TE Luke Sharkey (Keiser)
ATLANTIC (7)
RB/CB Woodrow Hunter (McDougle Prep)
QB Kalani Ilimaleota (St. Thomas)
WR Keyshawn Simmons (McDougle Prep)
DL Derrick Wells, Jr. (McDougle Prep)
WR/DB Jaha’d Williams (St. Thomas)
TE Kamareon Williams (FIU)
LB/S Jalen Wring (McDougle Prep)
BENJAMIN (1)
ATH Ka’iir Elam (Florida)
BOCA RATON (1)
RB/DB Davion Maxwell (Stetson)
CARDINAL NEWMAN (1)
DE Jayson Martin (New Mexico
Military Institute)
DWYER (13)
RB Robert Armes (St. Thomas)
TE Jeremiah Dezard (Wagner)
OT Ronald Folkes (Georgia State)
DE Ishmael Goulbourne (Syracuse)
LB Cory Hamilton (Keiser)
DB Antavious Lane (Georgia State)
RB James Meeks (FAU)
DL Vernon Padgett (Keiser)
DL Tyler Payne (Davidson)
QB Gio Richardson (UT-Chattanooga)
K/P Nicholas St. Amand (Rensselaer Polytechnic)
RB Cedric Tucker (St. Thomas)
DB Da’Quan Wilson (Hutchinson CC)
FOREST HILL (4)
WR/FS Raekwon Beverly (East New Mexico)
CB Tyrell Coleman (Keiser)
OL Sincere McCall (Keiser)
OL Joey Suarez (St. Thomas)
GLADES CENTRAL (2)
QB Davius Richard (North Carolina Central)
WR Odieu Hilaire (Alabama A&M)
KING’S ACADEMY (2)
QB Justin Wake (Southwest Baptist)
DB Jeremiah Scroggins (Southwest Baptist)
OLYMPIC HEIGHTS (3)
TE/DE Bryan Antoine (St. Thomas)
WR Jack Coulson (Holy Cross)
OL Will Cunningham (St. Anselm)
OXBRIDGE ACADEMY (1)
FS/WR Daniel Hutchinson (Ithaca)
PAHOKEE (11)
DB Connari Boldin (Valdosta State)
WR Kajavian Boldin (McDougle Prep)
DB Jason Campbell (Chadron State)
DB Jessie Dunnaway (McDougle Prep)
WR Issac Fulton (McDougle Prep)
WR Jasteven Jordan (McDougle Prep)
DB Trey Love (Murray State)
ATH Deante Nelson (FAU)
OL Deshawn Richardson (FAU)
OL Domonique Williams (McDougle Prep)
LB Lavonski Williams (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
PALM BEACH CENTRAL (4)
DT/OT Renato Brown (Louisville)
DL Brandon Hudgins (St. Anselm)
LB Elijah Roman (St. Thomas)
OL Joseph Villano (Keiser)
PALM BEACH GARDENS (4)
OL Daniel Alvarez (McDougle Prep)
LB Wendy Francois (St. Thomas)
DB Dametrius Love (St. Thomas)
DB Belden Smith II (St. Thomas)
PALM BEACH LAKES (4)
DB Eldridge Franklin (Chadron State)
DB Wisney Jean (Keiser)
DL Denzel Mears (Keiser)
LB Harvey Reynolds (Chadron State)
PARK VISTA (7)
DB D’Marco Augustin (Youngstown St.)
DB Frantz Derival (Indiana Wesleyan)
LB/RB Marion Johnson (St. Thomas)
LB David Kellier (St. Thomas)
RB/LB Nicholas King (West Florida)
WR Mason Proch (Stetson)
QB Tyler Thomas (St. Thomas)
SANTALUCES (5)
WR Anthony Caldwell (St. Thomas)
WR Jerson Jacques (Keiser)
DL Angerlyns Julceus (Keiser)
DE Aundre Remelus (St. Thomas)
LB Andy St. Hillaire (Keiser)
SEMINOLE RIDGE (2)
ATH Ty’Korian Brown (Tusculum)
FB/LB Peter Sinoyiannis (Florida Tech)
SOMERSET ACADEMY CANYONS (2)
OL Devante Miguel (Culver-Stockton)
DL Vanes Valiere (Culver-Stockton)
SUNCOAST (1)
LB Mitzseen Joseph (Penn)
WELLINGTON (5)
ATH Mark Antony Richards (Auburn)
WR Dane Stratton (FAU)
DB Cornelius Butler (St. Thomas)
OL/DL Antonio Washington (Keiser)
WR Devin Scott (Keiser)
Be on the lookout as more players will be signing to colleges between now and the summer.
All rankings are according to 247 Sports.
NOTE TO ALL HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS: If you signed on National Signing Day and don’t see your name on the list, message us and we’ll add you.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Additional reporting by Kevin Fielder, Kenneth Stephens, and Naji Tobias.
