A day of tears, pride and dreams realized hit home on national letter of intent signing day, where about a dozen area high school football players made their college choices official during a wild day in the San Gabriel Valley on Wednesday. Diamond Ranch, which advanced to the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division championship game for the first time in school history, landed an area-best four players to Division I schools, led by cornerback Brandon Sermons, who chose UCLA even though Washington and others were still trying to pry him away early Wednesday.
To continue reading, click thread
“I didn’t expect all that to be happening at the last minute,” Sermons said. “At the end of the day, I really wanted to go to UCLA. I figured, if I went somewhere and got hurt the first day of practice, where would I want my education. All the signs kept pointing to UCLA.
“Plus, they’ve got a heck of a recruiting class and I want to be part of it, and bringing UCLA back to where it should be.”
Along with Sermons, Xavier-Molina Williams chose Colgate, and Panthers lineman Graham Vickers (Navy) and linebacker Kyle Lengyel (Air Force) signed certificates of intent – the first step toward receiving an appointment.
“It’s not just a great day for Diamond Ranch football, it’s a great day for the kids who signed and what it says about academics here,” Panthers coach Roddy Layton said. “Colgate is an Ivy League school, the Air Force and Navy are hard to get in, and then you have UCLA, another great academic institution.
“As proud as I am of what they accomplished in football here at Diamond Ranch, I’m even more proud of where they’re headed and what they will become.”
Bishop Amat had three signees, including two who are headed to UCLA.
Linebacker Isaiah Bowens and defensive back Sheldon Price announced their intentions long ago to attend UCLA, but made it official on Wednesday.
Lancers defensive back Brent Seals committed to Stanford, giving the Lancers three Pac-10 players.
South Hills’ Cameron Deen was the only area quarterback to get a full athletic scholarship, signing with the University of Northern Colorado.
Deen, a two-time all-CIF first-team selection, threw for 2,286 yards and 23 touchdowns. He’s the first Huskies quarterback to get a scholarship since Ryan Leadingham, who signed with Sacramento State in 1999.
“It’s been a long process since my sophomore year,” Deen said. “I’m glad it’s finally over. I feel good about where I’m going, they had a good recruiting class and the best running back from Colorado. I feel really good about it, I can’t wait to get started.”
Diamond Bar cornerback Colin Lockett, listed at 6-feet and 165 pounds, needed just one visit to San Diego State to cement his future.
“As soon as I got there (San Diego State), it felt like home,” Locket said. “It really felt like a place I could go and succeed at the next level. It’s a dream come true, it really is.”
It was also a great day for two huge offensive linemen.
San Dimas’ 6-foot-6, 285-pound Valle Vista League first-team selection Kyle Salm signed with Idaho while Covina’s 6-foot-6, 245-pounder Greg Reid signed with Southern Utah.
Glendora lineman Cody Tescher will continue his career at Humboldt State.
It wasn’t just a big day for football players, Diamond Ranch track standout Karynn Dunn, who won three CIF-SS Division III individual titles in the 100 hurdles, long jump and triple jump, signed with Stanford.
Diamond Ranch girls soccer standout Haley Cain gave the Panthers six signees overall by signing with Kansas Wesleyan.
Glendora senior forward Aissa Sanchez is heading to Arizona State, while San Dimas’ soccer/softball standout Ariel Shore and St. Lucy’s soccer defender Lynsey Browne are going to UC Riverside.
fred.robledo@sgvn.com
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2161
