CLEVELAND — Time to sign on that dotted line!
Wednesday marked the start of Division I college football's early national signing period, a three-day stretch where high school seniors from across America can sign with their colleges of choice if they feel they are ready to do so. No final decisions have to be made yet, but here in Northeast Ohio, 19 kids felt it was time to make the official commitment.
Here's a look at where some of the region's top players will be headed next fall (certain projections courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings):
Brenan Vernon - DL, Mentor
Ranked as the 145th best prospect in the country, Vernon overcame various injuries early in his career to anchor a Cardinals defensive unit that made it to the regional finals this past season. The game-wrecking lineman verbally committed to Notre Dame last year and stuck with the Irish even after Marcus Freeman replaced Brian Kelly as head coach.
Arvell Reese - LB Glenville
Reese also made the top 200 as the nation's 18th-best linebacker, playing a major role for the Tarblooders' first state championship football squad. After he participates in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 7, he will be off to Ohio State, reinvigorating the Glenville-to-Columbus pipeline that has produced greats like Ted Ginn Jr., Donte Whitner, and Troy Smith.
Michael Kilbane - EDGE, St. Edward
Another force at the end position, all Kilbane did was tally 19 1/2 sacks for an Eagles squad that won its second consecutive Division I state title. The hulking 6-foot-4, 240-pounder will also be headed to the Big Ten, playing for Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern.
Collin Dixon - WR, Tallmadge
It's hard to imagine a better receiver in Northeast Ohio than Dixon, who caught 88 passes for 1,493 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2022. The three-star prospect was a late flip, first choosing Wisconsin before eventually committing to Bret Bielema and Illinois.
Ardell Banks - WR, Massillon Washington
Banks was a master of the big play during his time with the Tigers, averaging more than 20 yards per reception as a senior with 12 touchdown grabs. He was another late flip, backing out of an offer from Toledo and eventually deciding on Mark Stoops and Kentucky.
Ryne Shackelford - WR, Keystone
The wideout trio wraps up with Shackelford, a talented possession receiver who had 13 touchdowns on 72 receptions this past season. He has remained committed to Purdue, despite head coach Jeff Brohm's recent departure for Louisville (Ryan Walters will take over).
Dominic Rivera - OT, Olmsted Falls
Let's head back to the trenches, where Rivera established himself as perhaps Northeast Ohio's best offensive lineman. He helped the Bulldogs to the regional semis in 2022, and will now take his talents to Greg Schiano's Rutgers squad.
Keontez Bradley - CB, Mansfield Senior
Bradley was an elite two-way player for the Tygers, but his real talents lie in the defensive backfield, where he buoyed a unit that allowed just 13 points per game and notched four shutouts. He was originally supposed to go to Kent State, but Sean Lewis bolting for Colorado appeared to change those plans. Instead, he has signed on with Arizona State and new Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham.
Lamar Sperling - RB, Archbishop Hoban
Our list would not be complete without Ohio's "Mr. Football," who shattered records with 3,867 rushing yards (including 356 in the Division II state title game) and 58 touchdowns. Though he had an offer from Kentucky, Sperling chose to stick with Maurice Linguist and Buffalo.
Other area commitments
- Colin Van Rooy - OT, Strongsville: Fordham
- Wyatt Gedeon - LB, St. Edward: Coastal Carolina
- Mason Williams - TE, Mogadore: Ohio
- Roosevelt Andrews - EDGE, Barberton: Miami, OH
- Marcus Moore - DL, Massillon Washington: Akron
- Freddie Lenix Jr. - ATH, Massillon Washington: Kent State
- Jayvian Crable - ATH, Archbishop Hoban: Ohio
- Kayden Davis - RB, Alliance: Youngstown State
- Anthony Iliano - IOL, Benedictine: Maine
- William Robinson - DL, Saint Ignatius: Holy Cross
The early signing period ends Friday, and all remaining prospects who have not committed by then will not be able to sign their national letters of intent again until Feb. 1. Notable Northeast Ohio teens who remain uncommitted include:
- Willtrel Hartson - RB, Massillon Washington
- Joel Kpassou - ATH, Solon
- Sayed Abumandeh - LB, North Royalton
- Mekhi Bradley - LB, Mansfield Senior
- Malik Davis - CB, Glenville
- Tommy Dunn - LB, Shaker Heights
- Dom Ference - IOL, Saint Ignatius
- Jermaine Foster - WR, Glenville
- Richard Luecke - IOL, Lutheran West
- Edward Robinson - RB, Maple Heights
- Myshaun Turner - OT, Euclid
