Now or later: When are local football players planning to sign?
Thanks to changes in the college football recruiting process, timing is a bigger focus than it has ever been before.
This year’s recruiting cycle is the first to include an early signing period, which runs from Dec. 20 to Dec. 22. The new period is an addition to the traditional signing period, which begins the first Wednesday in February every year.
Players have the option to end their recruitment now or wait a little over a month to sign on the dotted line. Here’s a look at some of the prominent players in the Chattahoochee Valley area and what they plan to do.
Justyn Ross, wide receiver, Central - The five-star wide receiver and No. 1 player in the state of Alabama said he plans to sign in February. Ross said he has narrowed down his list of schools to four: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and Florida. While Ross is waiting, two of his Central teammates will sign Wednesday. Offensive lineman Jahlil Ryles is signing with Middle Tennessee State, and defensive lineman/linebacker Tyler Moore will sign with Kennesaw State.
Cameron O’Neil, wide receiver, Glenwood - The three-star wide receiver will sign with the Panthers on Wednesday. O’Neil committed to Pitt on Aug. 1 over offers from schools such as Illinois, Troy, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Caleb Johnson, linebacker, Northside - Former Northside head coach Morgan Ingram said Johnson is waiting until February to make his final decision. Johnson, a three-star linebacker, has 13 offers from schools such as Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Louisville, LSU and Tennessee.
Jerquavion Mahone, defensive lineman, Manchester - The three-star defensive lineman will sign with the Wildcats this week. Mahone saw his interest spike in the last month, which culminated in an offer from Kentucky on Dec. 12 that he immediately accepted. Mahone will sign alongside Manchester linebacker Jontavious Ferguson, who is going to Georgia Southern.
T.J. Harvey, long snapper, Shaw - The top long snapper in the area is signing with Southern Mississippi on Wednesday. Harvey committed to the Golden Eagles back on July 21 after visiting the campus in Hattiesburg.
This story was originally published December 19, 2017 at 12:45 PM with the headline "Now or later: When are local football players planning to sign?."