GREENACRES – When Jonel Dieujuste signs his letter of intent with St. Thomas this upcoming Wednesday (Feb. 5), he will do it with conviction and pride.

The John I. Leonard senior wide receiver was relatively drawn to the academic program that St. Thomas could offer him for the next few years. He was also smitten by the direction its football program is going right now.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound wideout decided to go with St. Thomas on Jan. 30. He went into the reasoning behind his final decision.

“Well what led me was the interest they showed in having me there,” Dieujuste said. “And after the campus visit (took place on Jan. 17), it really helped me make my decision because I loved the programs they had to offer. I feel like I could fit into the way they run things in their program.”

Dieujuste received his official offer from St. Thomas on Jan. 29, just one day before he announced his verbal commitment on social media.

Another factor into Dieujuste’s decision to go with St. Thomas is the fact there will be a plethora of current and future players from Palm Beach County. They include the likes of freshman running back/Dwyer alum Robert Armes (699 yards, three touchdowns last year) and freshman linebacker/Park Vista alum David Kellier (11 tackles last year), among many others.

“It makes me excited to know I will be playing with people from my city and with one mission in mind, and that’s to make history over at St. Thomas University,” Dieujuste said.

Dieujuste, who chose St. Thomas over Greensboro College and Judson University, is currently in this position because of the stellar senior season he had at John I. Leonard.

Catching passes from fellow senior and New Era Prep Top 100 player Jadiel Cruz, the wide receiver had 22 catches for 356 yards and five touchdowns, with his two best games coming against Spanish River and Wellington.

In the Wellington game, Dieujuste had four catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns. And in Week 1 of the regular season against Spanish River, he had three catches for 45 yards and two scores.

“In those games, it felt like every time we connected, it was in the end zone,” Dieujuste said.

Cruz spoke about Dieujuste’s level of impact on the game.

“I can say this,” Cruz said. “He’s one of the best wide receivers that I’ve played with since freshman year. He has relentless ball skills and perfect route running. He has hands for days.”

Stay tuned for Dieujuste’s next move, which will unfold on National Signing Day.

PHOTO CREDITS: Gene Nardi and St. Thomas University Football