The South Florida logo was all over the place at state champion Armwood's signing day ceremony as family, friends and members of the media watched three players sign letters of intent with the Bulls.
One by one, defensive end Jarriett Buie, offensive guard Jake Griffin and wide receiver Mike Williams pulled on USF caps as they were introduced. Parents and grandparents were easily identified by their Bulls apparel.
USF aggressively recruited the Class 4A champions, and Bulls coaches spent hours talking to players and their families and frequently trekked to Armwood. Griffin's father, Doug, noted that USF recruiters knew everyone in Griffin's family by name. Armwood coach Sean Callahan sometimes arrived at work to find USF coach Jim Leavitt waiting in his office.
Defensive guard Fred Hicks also was wooed by USF but opted to sign with East Carolina.
Another future Bull was added to Armwood's signing day at the last minute: offensive lineman Mike Thompson, who orally committed to the State University of New York at Buffalo Bulls.
DESTINY FULFILLED: From the moment he arrived at Tampa Bay Tech three years ago, Maurice Crum faced huge expectations.
His father, Maurice Sr., was an All-American linebacker at Miami. Crum had a reputation as a fast-moving, hard-hitting linebacker. Wednesday, Crum fulfilled his potential, signing with Notre Dame.
"To Maurice, it's the continuation of his destiny," Tampa Bay Tech coach Mike Bradley said. "Since he got here, he was destined for greatness."
Though expectations were huge, the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder said his most difficult obstacle was earning the respect of older teammates when he started as a freshman. "It's a special day for all my hard work," Crum said. "From the moment I got here, I got to work to get to the next level. Now that day's here where I got to the next level."
Crum plans to study predentistry and pursue a career in orthodontics. He said he has been interested in the field since his first trip to the dentist's office as a child.
Would Bradley trust Crum with his teeth? "Not right now," he said. "Let him learn a little, and in a couple of years he can come back as dentist/linebackers coach."
ON HIS OWN: Throughout his high school days, TBT linebacker Cedrick Maxwell played in the shadow of Crum, who is his cousin. By signing with Kent State, Maxwell took the first step toward establishing his own identity. "It gives me a chance to show my talent," Maxwell said.
Maxwell and Crum have compared statistics for years, teasing each other that one's was better than the other's. They won't stop simply because they're playing for different schools.
"We talk on the phone all the time, "Who's going to make it first? Who's going to be the big-time player?"' Maxwell said.
"Our competition now is to see who shines fastest stat-wise," Crum said.
JOE'S STAYING: Fans who have been calling for Joe Paterno's retirement won't like what the Penn State coach told Pasco coach Dale Caparaso on Tuesday night, making one last call in trying to land coveted receiver Johnny Peyton.
"He told me, and I quote, "I know there are rumors out there that I'm going to retire, but I'm not retiring. This sophomore and freshman class are outstanding, and we're going to win a national championship in a few years. I'm not retiring until we win a national championship,"' Caparaso said.
SWITCH HITTER: Years ago, Jake Griffin's grandfather, Frank, predicted he would watch his grandson sign with an athletic program. He was right about the signing part, but he had the wrong sport.
"I used to say that I hope I live long enough to see him play for the Atlanta Braves," Frank Griffin said.
Frank Griffin, who lives in Atlanta, said Jake could "knock the cover off of a baseball" when he was younger. Then Jake hit a growth spurt, and baseball no longer was practical. He went out for football at Armwood, and the rest is history. Griffin was listed at 6 feet 4, 295 pounds Wednesday.
HOMEBOUND: One reason Northeast offensive lineman Eric Hodge signed with UCF was so he could be near his older brother, George. Last year, George, 19, was involved in an accident and pinned between two cars. He now uses a wheelchair.
"I try to take care of him as much as I can," said Eric, 18. "I want to be close and come home as much as possible."
GOING THE DISTANCE: Blake defensive back Khevin Peoples might have the nation's distinction of signing with the school farthest from home. Peoples, from Tampa, signed with Hawaii.
"I know it's a long way from home, but I feel we raised Khevin well and I believe he's going to be fine out there," said Peoples' mother, Regina. "I've already started my "Trips to Hawaii' fund. I'm going to have to save a little extra."
BLAKE BREAKS THROUGH: After signing one player last year, Blake stepped up with six Wednesday: DE George Kearse (USF), WR Tito Gonzales (West Virginia), Peoples (Hawaii), LB George Clark (Mississippi Valley State) and OLs Kamal Nesfield (University of Pennsylvania) and Ronald Green (Mississippi Valley State).
"This year is hopefully a trend for years to come," Blake coach Ricky Reynolds said.
TERRIERS SIGN MORE: Hillsborough also had six sign, which increased coach Earl Garcia's list to 84 signees in 11 seasons.
Wednesday's signees: RB Ricky Ponton (USF), LB Brandon Hart (FIU), LS T.J. Wilson (Air Force), OT Aumbray Livingston (NAIA Webber International), G Antonio Mills (Webber International) and Ignacio Martinez (Webber International). "Players like we signed today are the reason we've won 125 games the past 11 years," Garcia said."
FIRSTS: Alonso and Middleton each enjoyed their first signing day ceremony. Middleton's Stoney Woodson signed to play at South Carolina, becoming the first Tiger in more than 35 years to sign with a college football team. Middleton, closed in 1971 because of desegregation, reopened in 2002.
The Ravens had an even more beneficial day, as Hillsborough County's leading rusher, John Forbes, signed with Navy, defensive tackle Leger Douzable with Central Florida and cornerback James Rue with Gannon (Pa.).
Forbes, who rushed for almost 2,000 yards and won the Guy Toph Award, kept his choice secret until Wednesday, mainly because he was deliberating between Navy and The Citadel. "I spent two hours in a dark room just thinking," he said. "I'm not looking at this as a commitment, I'm looking at it as a free job."
LASTS: Wednesday marked the end of an era at Chamberlain, as the last of the players from the Chiefs' 2001 march to the state final signed letters of intent. Quarterback Sidney Bryant signed with Charleston Southern. Wide receiver Brandon Williams and defensive end Doug Williams committed to Akron.
"This is like signing on the dotted line for an NFL team for me," Bryant said. "It makes it even better that I get to do it with two of my best friends."
The three bring the total number of signees from the 2001 team to 15, a number that will increase if Garrett Gibbons and DeMichael Nesbitt sign later.
STILL TO COME: Durant DB Marshall McDuffie is expected to sign with FIU this week. ... Josh Pringle, a DB from Pinellas Park, should sign with Air Force today. ... Clearwater Central Catholic wide receiver/punter Chip Brinkman, a first-team Times all-county and all-suncoast selection, is expected to sign with Wake Forest today. ... East Bay's Billy McPhaul could sign with a team in the next few weeks.
- FRANK PASTOR, EMILY NIPPS, MIKE READLING, SCOTT PURKS, GREG AUMAN, BOB PUTNAM, JAMAL THALJI
