National Signing Day: A look at the football players from Marion County who signed today

Years from now, many seniors from Marion County’s football Class of 2022 will look back on their high school careers with fondness.

But Wednesday was about looking ahead, as players from around the county signed national letters of intent with colleges around the country.

A look at who is going where.

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Dunnellon: Three Tigers sign

Three Tigers signed NLIs with linebacker Jaden Dyer and receiver/defensive back LJ Fitzpatrick headed to Iowa Western Community College and offensive lineman Kaden Richardson off to Oklahoma Panhandle State.

Dyer and Fitzpatrick said they decided together in a group chat in late December/early January.

“I’m very excited,” said Fitzpatrick, who finished his final season at DHS with 628 rushing yards, 540 receiving yards, 21 total touchdowns, 47 tackles and seven interceptions. “I’ve dreamed of this moment.”

He added that having Dyer with him will help both transition to college and living in Council Bluffs, Iowa — 1,351 miles away from home.

“We’ve been playing together for four years and now, we’re going to be playing together in college,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s a good feeling to know I’ll be there with him.”

Dyer, who finished 2021 with 53 tackles, 11 TFL, four sacks, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions, joked about how cold it would be in Iowa for a kid from Florida, but added that, most of all, he was thrilled to be continuing his football career.

“I’ve waited my entire life for this,” said Dyer, who also had a combined 498 rushing and receiving yards and nine total touchdowns for DHS. “I’m really happy and looking forward to it.”

If there was a county tough-guy award, it might go to Richardson this season.

A 6-foot-3, 283-pound center, Richardson tore his right ACL and broke his leg in the second quarter of the season-opener against Buchholz.

He sat out three games while the break healed and then returned to play the rest of the season on the torn ACL. He graded out at 83 percent and started in the FACA All-Star Game.

“It was kind of scary,” Richardson said. “As soon as I heard the pop, I knew it was bad.”

He also feared his football career could be over. But at dinner with coach Price Harris a few weeks later, Richardson said Harris told him of an athlete he once had who had played through an ACL tear.

So, Richardson gave it a shot.

It wasn’t easy, as linemen require balance and lower-body strength to be effective, and a compromised knee severely limits that. Richardson said he never really got comfortable playing through the injury, but he got used to it.

“The hardest part was getting up after plays where I would end up on the ground,” Richardson said.

And now, he’s fulfilling a longtime goal and will play for his parents’ alma mater.

“I can't wait,” said Richardson, whose ACL was surgically repaired last week.

- John Patton

Trinity Catholic: Players sign with Western Carolina, Penn, New Mexico and Marshall

There was a celebration of academics and athletics at Trinity Catholic on Wednesday morning, as four Celtic football players signed National Letters of Intent.Quarterback Cole Gonzales is taking his talents to Western Carolina University, defensive back Jaydon Hodge signed with the University of Pennsylvania, linebacker Marquis Jones is headed to play at the University of New Mexico and defensive end Elijah Russell will attend Marshall University.

Gonzales, a dual-threat who transferred to Trinity Catholic from Oak Hall for his final two years of high school, excelled in the classroom and on the gridiron, and led the Class 3A Celtics to the regional finals and a 7-3 record this past season.

Gonzales, also a talented pitcher on the TC baseball team, had numerous scholarship offers, but chose to play at Western Carolina and head coach, former University of Florida quarterback and Trinity Catholic coach Kerwin Bell.

"It's an awesome day," said Gonzales, whose father Billy Gonzales, was the wide receivers coach for Dan Mullen at Florida and Mississippi State. "This is something I've always dreamed of as a kid growing up in a football family. Playing at the next level is what I always wanted to do. I had a couple baseball offers, but I followed my heart with playing football."

“Western Carolina led the country in yards-per-game last year, and the way they throw it around with their offense fits me pretty well. I love Coach Bell and it's going to be exciting to get up there."

Western Carolina competes in the Southern Conference and Bell is in his second year as head coach of the Catamounts, who went 4-7 last season. Gonzales, who threw for 734 yards and ran for 656 as a senior, said he hopes to be able to contribute as a freshman.

"I definitely have a chance to play my first year," said Gonzales, who hopes to play baseball as well. "They have a junior who transferred from a junior college and another freshman. I'll be on scholarship and have a chance to go to work and fight to earn a spot."

Having Gonzales sign with Western Carolina keeps up the streak of all seven quarterbacks who played under Brantley in his illustrious coaching career going on to play college football.

Hodge, who transferred from Forest for his senior season, had several offers, but decided Penn was the right college for him.

"I'm going to Pennsylvania because it has an Ivy League education..." Hodge said. "Going to an Ivy League school is a 40-year decision, not a four-year one, which speaks volumes. The recruiting process was fun but stressful at the end and I'm glad it's over."

Hodge finished his senior season with 37 tackles, four passes defensed and a fumble recovery. He said he is hoping to play as a freshman for the Quakers, who went 3-7 last season.

"Penn had three true freshman defensive backs starting last year," Hodge said. "The coaches told me to come in and work hard and that's what I'm going to do and we'll see what happens."

Jones, who had 66 tackles (12 for-loss) and an interception at outside linebacker, is headed to New Mexico.

"It felt like home when I went on my visit to New Mexico," Jones said. "My teammates feel like brothers already and I can't wait to go there and shine."

The Lobos, who compete in the Mountain West Conference, posted a 3-9 record last season. "New Mexico lost a few linebackers," Jones said. “I'm looking forward to getting out there and contributing to the football team and growing as a man and an adult."

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Russell, who transferred from Forest for his senior year, decided Marshall was the right fit for him.

"The coaching staff and people at Marshall are unbelievable," Russell said. “They treated me like family as soon as I got there on my visit and my mom loved it."

Russell had 16 scholarship offers, including Michigan State and Virginia Tech, but chose to stick with playing for Marshall, which is located in Huntington, West Virginia.

Marshall went 7-5 least season in coach Charles Huff's first year. The Thundering Herd compete in Conference USA.

The 6-foot 8, 215-pound Russell, who also plays basketball, is looking forward to getting started on his college career.

"I'm ready to get up to Marshall and get going," said Russell, who finished 2021 with 42 tackles and 13.5 sacks. "I need to get in the weight room to get stronger, and the coaches want me to put on some weight. I'm just playing football at Marshall. I'm going to have to wait my turn, but by my second year I hope to be starting."

- Mark Pinson

West Port: Gavin Savino signs with Stetson

West Port standout Gavin Savino surely subscribes to the saying "Patience is a virtue."

While he had to wait for college offers, everything came together in the last few weeks.

Now Savino, a 3-year starter at quarterback for WPHS, is heading just a bit east to play football for the Stetson Hatters after signing a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday morning.

Savino just visited Stetson a few weeks ago, and said he immediately fell in love with the campus.

"The coaches there (at Stetson) made me feel welcome and the campus is beautiful," Savino said. "Plus when I was there for a visit there was a players panel and the players all had good things to say about the coaches."

Stetson also sets up nicely for Savino's academic goals. "They (Stetson) have one of the top business schools in the nation, and I plan on pursuing an MBA," Savino said.

Savino was surrounded by family and friends as he signed. His high school coach, former West Port coach Steve Rhem, also was on hand.

"Coach Rhem could be hard on me at times, but he was looking out for what's best for me," Savino said. "He just helped me push through certain things and be the best man I can be."

Savino, who threw for 1,345 yards as a senior, wanted to play at the next level, but the offers didn't come right away. His friends knew something big was coming soon.

"After talking to (Stetson) coach (Brian) Young for 30 minutes, I knew what the right decision was," the QB said.

Savino helped lead West Port to its first winning season of 5-3 in 2020. Last year the Wolfpack struggled to a 1-9 mark but played maybe the toughest schedule in the state, including eventual FHSAA Class 6A state champ Tampa Jesuit (15-0), which finished eighth in USA Today’s Super 25 national rankings.

- Marty Pallman

Belleview: Amarion Dudley signs

Amarion Dudley will graduate from Belleview with three single-season school records — receptions (50), receiving yards (971) and receiving touchdowns (10) — all set in 2021.

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound wideout also will leave with a scholarship awaiting him at West Florida after signing a national letter of intent on Wednesday morning.

“This is so exciting,” Dudley said. “It’s such a great opportunity.”

BHS coach Brady Ackerman praised Dudley, a full qualifier, as not just one of the most talented, but the hardest-working Rattler on the roster.

“I wish I could have coached him more than one year,” said Ackerman, whose first season at Belleview coincided with Dudley’s transfer from Lake Weir. “He has great, positive energy, is really competitive and always goes about things with a smile. He’s incredibly coachable.”

A finalist for the 2021 Scot Brantley Award, Dudley also had offers from UNC-Central, Fort Hays State and Tusculum.

Dudley said the relationship he established with his future position coach Ron Dickerson, Jr. was key to selecting UWF. “We got to talking and it felt right,” Dudley said.

Dudley said he has loved his time in high school, telling stories of how after some games young children would walk up to him and say “you’re No. 8? You’re so good.”

“It was so great playing with and being around childhood friends,” Dudley said. “I can’t take everybody with me, though. So, I’m looking forward" (to the new challenge in front of me).”

- John Patton

Forest: Jamarrien Burt signs with OU

Receiver/cornerback Jamarrien Burt signed with Oklahoma on Wednesday, he announced on Twitter.

A former Florida commitment, Burt decommitted from the Gators soon after former coach Dan Mullen was fired.

Forest’s Twitter account announced the school would hold a ceremony on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

-John Patton

Football: North Marion chops down Forest to open season in big way

North Marion: Jeriahmiah Mack signs

Two years ago Jeriahmiah Mack thought his football career was over.

Playing in the final game of the junior varsity season against Palatka, Mack broke the growth plate in his left wrist. Doctors told him that playing again could stunt the growth of his arm.

A long eight months followed before Mack got news he didn’t think he would ever hear: Doctors said there was no longer a risk for further damage, and he was cleared to play.

Wednesday afternoon life got even better for the Colts’ free safety, as he signed a national letter of intent with St. Thomas University.

“This has always been a goal of mine, ever since I first laced up cleats (in the fifth grade),” said Mack, a two-year starter for NMHS.

Mack said his football coach, Greg Carr, and basketball coach, Tim Yarn, were helpful in getting him to this point and said Carr got him through the uncertain times the second half of his sophomore year and into the next summer.

“He really taught me that things in life will come if you work for it,” said Mack, who finished with 40 tackles and five interceptions as a senior. “Go prepare yourself for every obstacle thrown at you.”

- John Patton

Vanguard: 11 players honored at event

The Knights closed the day with a 65-minute ceremony honoring 11 players.

Defensive back Emile Sancho, defensive end Jaylen Williams and place kicker Grandin Willcox signed with Norfolk State.

Offensive lineman Lynden Wallace inked with Lane College, athlete Tyrell Randall with Northeast Mississippi, receiver Kelmonte Pete with Georgia Prep Academy, safety Malik McConico with Hutchinson Community College, quarterback Ronnie “Joe” Gilchrist with Warner and tailback Dewhitt Betterson, Jr. with Troy, where his father was one of the best running backs in school history.

Defensive back Izaiah Guy (Georgia State) and athlete Elijah Hopkins (Coastal Carolina) signed during the early signing period, but Guy was on stage with his teammates and Hopkins, already enrolled at CC, joined by phone late.

“These guys have worked hard and put in a lot of hard work and dedication,” VHS coach Edwin Farmer said. “But the leadership they brought is a big part of what they brought to this program.

-John Patton

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: National Signing Day 2022: See Marion County football recruits signing today