Blue-Grey Football: National Signing Day (2017)

Georgetown commit Joseph Brunell participated in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl and then took part in National Signing for prospects in the Class of 2017. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Hedden)

National Signing Day for prospects in the Class of 2017 started early this morning and will end at some point much later tonight as individuals from all over the country make all-important decision about their respective futures, particularly well-known alumni of the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl.

As most know, though still worth mentioning, many of the nation’s high-profile recruits played in one of three recent games. Each contest took place, of course, in an NFL facility and the student-athletes were fortunate enough to work with our NFL veteran coaching staff during the festivities.

The one-time professionals in attendance read like a who’s who list, including Mark McMillian, George Teague, Arlen Harris, Ken Stills, Byron Evans, Larry Centers, Jerry Wunsch, Quinn Gray and Dick Bell. Also, NFL veteran trainers Rodney Beasley and Reggie Young were in attendance.

For starters, West defeated East, 27-24, on Dec. 22 at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium. Shortly thereafter, Grey won against Blue, 27-7, on Jan. 14 at Jacksonville Jaguars’ EverBank Field. Lastly, but certainly not least, Pacific got the better of Atlantic, 37-14, on Jan. 21 at Oakland Raiders’ Coliseum.

Following the All-American Bowls, the Blue-Grey Football Selection Committee sat down with the brand’s NFL veterans for exit interviews and the collection of upperclassmen talent was the topic of conversation. That said, with it being National Signing Day, here’s a look at the best of the best.

Editor’s Note: Below is a somewhat comprehensive list of players who committed, or, signed National Letters of Intent. The plan is to add names over the course of the next couple of hours, days, weeks, and months. Of course, as more official announcements are made. Stay tuned for the details.

DALLAS COWBOYS’ AT&T STADIUM

Peyton Mansell, QB, Belton (TX): The Iowa commit was one of the better leaders around. Both on and off the field, for that matter.

Xavier Martin, QB, Steele (TX): A consummate team player, the Texas Tech commit kept morale high with his spirited demeanor.

Austin Burton, QB, West Orange (FL): The UCLA commit was not intimidated by the big stage. In fact, he shined in the spotlight.

Trenton Hatfield, QB, Muncie Central (IN): With a good understanding of the offense, the Illinois State commit delivered results.

Trey Coleman, RB, West Monroe (LA): The Tennessee commit would have liked to contribute more, still his presence was felt.

Terence Dunlap, RB, Maplesville (AL): Running the ball, catching it, special teams too, the Troy commit did a little bit of everything.

Dominic Williams, RB, Independence (TX): Despite prior plans, the Kansas commit proved to be a good representation of the brand.

Mikey Griebel, RB, Columbine (TX): The North Dakota commit made play, after play, and it was difficult to keep him off the field.

Billy Reagins, RB, Kempner (TX): With a frame most colleges covet, the Northern Colorado commit was as good as advertised.

Beau Corrales, WR, Georgetown (TX): A big target, particularly in the red zone, the North Carolina was a favorite of the signal-callers.

McLane Mannix, WR, Midland (TX): The Nevada commit did a little bit of everything, and most of it well, when called upon to do so.

David Cormier, WR, Volcano Vista (NM): Somewhat under the radar before the game, the Air Force commit opened up eyes.

Kedrick James, TE, La Vega (TX): One of the game’s more well-known national names, the Alabama commit lived up to the hype.

Riley Locklear, OL, Spring Valley (WV): The Tennessee commit was force to be reckon with and caused headaches for opponents.

Robert Martin, OL, St. Joseph Regional (NJ): Linemen had a difficult time getting to the backfield against the Penn State commit.

Owen Drexel, OL, Montclair (NJ): The Pitt commit was, in many ways, an extension of the coaching staff with the ball in his hands.

Pat Bartlett, OL, Council Rock North (PA): The Georgia Southern commit fit the bill. He looked the part and played the part.

Johnathan Nathaniel, OL, Basha (AZ): The Washington State commit was one of the game’s more high-profile prospects, rightfully so.

Dakoda Newman, OL, Timberview (TX): With a motor that did not stop, the North Texas played with his foot on the gas pedal.

Evan Fields, DB, Midwest City (OK): All game long, it was apparent, quarterbacks threw the ball away from the Arizona State commit.

Kris McCune, DB, Dallas Christian (TX): The Oklahoma State commit shutdown an entire side of the field and was Defensive MVP.

Exree Loe, DB, Greater Johnstown (PA): The West Virginia commit locked down pass-catchers from start to finish, no questions asked.

Eric Scott, DB, Basehor-Linwood (KS): Didn’t matter if it was man or zone coverage, the Illinois State commit made a difference.

Jordan Walker, LB, Silverado (NV): Capable of playing multiple positions, the Southern Utah commit was as versatile as they come.

Jakharious Smith, DL, South Grand Prairie (TX): The Texas State commit was a late addition to the game, but worth the wait.

Anthony Payne, DL, Raymore-Peculiar (KS): The opposing offensive coordinator never found a way to stop the Kansas State commit.

Blake Haubeil, K, Canisius (NY): The Ohio State commit put on a show with his powerful boots, before, during, and after, the game.

Jake McClure, P, East Hamilton (TN): With his big leg, the Oklahoma State commit flipped the field on more than one occasion.

Bill Taylor, LS, American Christian Academy (AL): With pinpoint accuracy, the Auburn commit made things happen on special teams.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS’ EVERBANK FIELD

Darriel Mack, QB, Norview (VA): The Central Florida commit got the job done with his arm and feet and the effort was impressive.

Anthony Butler, QB, Roman Catholic (PA): With a good head on his shoulders, the Morgan State commit exceeded many expectations.

Joseph Brunell, QB, Episcopal (FL): The Georgetown commit had good understanding, better than most, of what was expected.

Ivory Kelly-Martin, RB, Oswego East (IL): The Iowa commit did nothing to tarnish his growing reputation with a well-rounded effort here.

Titus McCoy, RB, Center Grove (IN): On the ground, or in the air, the Indiana State commit was a jack-of-all-trades type of back.

C.J. Hayes, WR, South Warren (KY): In the air, the Michigan State commit dominated, despite seeing his fair share of double-teams.

Justis Stokes, WR, Williams Field (AZ): The Northern Arizona commit initially did well underneath and that opened up things deep.

Amari Terry, WR, Bolles School (FL): With his versatile skill set, the coaching staff often put ball in the hands of the Air Force commit.

Ethan Piercy, WR, Fort Mill (SC): The Gardner-Webb commit had plenty of interest, then decided staying close to home was the best fit.

Adam Boselli, TE, Episcopal (FL): The North Carolina State made an appearance and created a buzz, particularly so on the sidelines.

Sean Fitzgerald, OL, Mt. Pleasant (MI): With an effort that caught the attention of coaches, the Michigan commit improved his stock.

Luis Lebron, OL, Sandalwood (FL): The Colorado State commit lived for contact. More physical the flow of the game, the better he did.

Larry Borom, OL, Brother Rice (MI): Calm, cool, and collected, off the field, the Missouri commit was loads of trouble on the field.

Eddie Brecht, OL, Lapeer (MI): The Kent State commit was an imposing presence, regardless of where he was lined up in the trenches.

Bill Kuduk, OL, Marist (IL): Massive frame, yet somewhat surprisingly mobile, the Kansas State commit turned quite a few heads.

Isaac Hawn, OL, St. Charles North (IL): The Northern Illinois was relatively quiet. Once the ball was snapped, his play spoke volumes.

Noah Knapp, OL, Bishop Sullivan (VA): Essentially an orchestrator with the ball in his hands, the Army commit ran the show well

Nick Novak, OL, Lake Orion (MI): The Navy commit had no trouble with motivation, he was fired up to make a name for himself.

Peter Wise, OL, Brunswick School (CT): Tough and nimble, a good combination, the Columbia commit did not hold anything back.

Jarques McClellion, DB, American Heritage (FL): Not one to back down from challenges, the Arkansas commit won many exchanges.

Randall Haynie, DB, Cardinal Gibbons (FL): Focused on playing ball in the SEC, the Vanderbilt commit did well in his prep circuit finale.

Marlin Brooks, DB, Coral Gables (FL): The Ohio (OH) commit plans to soon leave the South behind and start a new journey up North.

Ian Swenson, DB, Loyola Academy (IL): The UConn commit was a coaching staff favorite at practice. It was of same during the game.

Austin Johnson, LB, St. Petersburg (FL): A force to be reckon with at the second level, the Eastern Illinois commit was a major factor.

Tah’shim Knight, LB, Northside Christian (FL): It seemed as if no one worked more diligently than the Charleston Southern commit.

Joshua Maize, DL, Deerfield (IL): In the end, there was doubt about it, the Miami (OH) commit earned the honor of Defensive MVP.

Steven Franklin, DL, Glasgow (KY): The Eastern Kentucky commit had an uncanny ability to be around the ball, at all times, no less.

Pressley Harvin, P, Sumter (SC): Not many specialists were able to keep the crowd’s attention. Except for the Georgia Tech commit.

OAKLAND RAIDERS’ COLISEUM

Chase Cord, QB, Sunrise (AZ): The Boise State commit, hands down, was named as Offensive MVP after his memorable effort.

Beau English, QB, DeMatha Catholic (MD): Picking apart the opposing secondary appeared to come naturally to the Air Force commit.

Evidence Njoku, WR, Wayne Hills (NJ): The Miami commit had his way in the secondary, and most times, no one could contain him

Curtis Chiaverini, WR, Valor Christian (CO): Disciplined, a technician many say, the Colorado commit had no trouble with getting open.

Dominic Gudino, OL, Olympian (CA): The San Diego State commit dominated on the interior and his teammates were the benefactors.

Abraham Lucas, OL, Archbishop Murphy (WA): A man among boys quite frequently, the Washington State commit was without peer.

Matt McClurg, OL, Heritage (CO): The Oklahoma State commit had Pac-12 Conference interest, but is bound for the Big 12 Conference.

Kevin Williams, OL, Omaha North (NE): At first glance, his size jumped out, yet the Northern Colorado commit was athletic too.

Zachary Hauschild, OL, Clearwater (FL): No one worked harder than the Youngstown State commit and end result was a scholarship.

Tre Bugg, DB, Williams Field (AZ): The Air Force commit was pushed and pulled in different directions, but enjoyed the process.

Jackson Block, DL, Columbine (CO): No need to travel far for college ball, the Northern Colorado commit figures to feel right at home.

Rourke Freeburg, DB, Desert Mountain (AZ): The Arizona commit hit as hard as anyone in the game, that was evident from the start.

Brent Cimaglia, K, Page (TN): With a cannon for a leg, the Tennessee commit kept everyone on their toes with his 51-yard field goal.

Riley Patterson, K, Edwardsville (IL): Not to be outdone, the Memphis commit caught the attention of many with his accuracy.