National Signing Day Update

Wednesday was the first opportunity for high school football players to turn their verbal commitments into official signed letters of intent with National Signing Day taking place around the country. The early signing period began Wednesday morning and continues through Friday as players across all collegiate levels can sign on the dotted line. Players who don’t sign early can sign on Feb. 5 during the regular signing period. Many New Jersey recruits saw their lifelong dreams come true officially on Wednesday. Let’s take a look at the Division I recruits who signed and some other general updates. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27860" first="Aaron" last="Armitage"], Blair Academy, DE:</strong> Armitage officially signed to Stanford University on Wednesday. Acknowledged as one of the top defensive ends in the nation, Armitage can use strength and quickness to cause havoc for opposing offenses. Recruited by many Power 5 programs, he ultimately chose a fine academic and athletic institution in Stanford. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27859" first="Tywone" last="Malone"], Bergen Catholic, DL:</strong> Malone is the top recruit in New Jersey for state powerhouse Bergen Catholic. A two-sport athlete, he wants to play both football and baseball at his next destination. Currently uncommitted, Malone’s top six schools are Florida State, Ole Miss, Rutgers, Tennessee, Texas A&amp;M and USC. <strong>Darian ‘Duce’ Chestnut, Camden, DB: </strong>Chestnut gave Syracuse fans a reason to smile when he signed with the Orange on Wednesday. One of the top corners in the 2021 class, Chestnut is a technique player who is competitive and takes it upon himself to lock players down. A four-star recruit, Chestnut is listed as the top defensive back in New Jersey. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27872" first="Jalen" last="Hoyle"], Dwight Morrow, DB: </strong>Hoyle, a safety out of Dwight Morrow, joins Virginia Tech after signing on Wednesday. Listed as a three-star recruit, Hoyle received a number of Power 5 offers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27903" first="Patrick" last="Smith"], Holy Spirit, RB: </strong>Smith had one of the strongest seasons in New Jersey this fall for Holy Spirit. Previously committed to Colorado State, Smith put South Jersey on the map and reopened his recruitment in November. Other schools, such as Vanderbilt, have recently been in the mix for Smith. Rutgers may be in pursuit for Smith, but the Scarlet Knights will have to compete with Vanderbilt and a slew of others. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27867" first="Mikai" last="Gbayor"], Irvington, LB: </strong>Gbayor joins the Nebraska Cornhuskers of the Big 10. Gbayor was a solid get for the school out of Lincoln with his ability to force his way to ball carriers. He has shown he can get to the quarterback and make a number of tackles and big-time plays. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27899" first="Dominick" last="Giudice"], Mater Dei, DL:</strong> Michigan is getting a good one with Giudice. He has a great motor and can really give opposing quarterbacks a tough time, as he showcased at Mater Dei. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27883" first="Mike" last="Jarvis"], Shawnee, DL</strong>: Jarvis made it official with the Wisconsin Badgers. He received a number of offers and is extremely athletic at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds. <strong>George Rooks, St. Peter’s Prep, DL:</strong> Rooks is one of the top defensive linemen left in the class, and he’s down to Boston College, Michigan and Penn State. He has been a force for St. Peter’s Prep, and he’ll be an asset to either the ACC or Big 10. <strong>Others:</strong> <strong>Jack Barnes, Blair Academy, LB: Bucknell</strong> <strong>Justin Shorter, Blair Academy, WR: Holy Cross</strong> <strong>Patrick Colicchio, Bergen Catholic, OL: Columbia</strong> <strong>Hunter Sloan, Blair Academy, LB: Cornell (committed)</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27873" first="Alijah" last="Clark"], Camden, DB: Rutgers (committed)</strong> <strong>Corey Palmer, Camden, DB: Temple</strong> <strong>Imeer Johnson, Central Regional, LB: Long Island University</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27894" first="Josh" last="Toner"], Cherokee, DL: James Madison</strong> <strong>Cole Freeman, Delbarton, QB: Brown</strong> <strong>Elijah Hills, Delbarton, DL: Albany</strong> <strong>Jake Jarmolowich, Delbarton, DB: Holy Cross</strong> <strong>Patrick Ryan, Delbarton, K/P: Georgetown</strong> <strong>De’Mere White, DePaul, RB: Robert Morris</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27888" first="Michael" last="Entwistle"], Don Bosco Prep, OL: Harvard University</strong> <strong>Alex Geraci, Dartmouth, TE: Dartmouth</strong> <strong>Jake Guy, Don Bosco Prep, OL: Bucknell</strong> <strong>Camron McNair, Donovan Catholic, OL: Holy Cross</strong> <strong>VeRon Garrison, Dwight Morrow, DT: Georgetown</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27871" first="Al-Shadee" last="Salaam"], East Orange Campus, RB: Rutgers</strong> <strong>Omakus Langley II, Hillside, DE/LB: Delaware State</strong> <strong>Owen Anderson, Hun School, WR: Monmouth</strong> <strong>Brandon Mackinnon, Hun School, OL: Northern Illinois</strong> <strong>Liam Rempel, Hun School, DE: Northern Illinois</strong> <strong>Mason Shipp, Hun School, WR: Yale</strong> <strong>Kevin Wingenton, Hun School, OL: Michigan State</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27886" first="Zaire" last="Angoy"], Irvington, DT: Rutgers</strong> <strong>Al-Jay Henderson, Irvington, RB: Buffalo</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27882" first="Will" last="Towns"], Jackson Memorial, RB: Wake Forest</strong> <strong>Trey McDonald, Kinnelon, TE: William &amp; Mary</strong> <strong>Deon McLean, Lawrenceville, DB: Connecticut</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27876" first="Xavier" last="Coleman"], Lenape, RB: Boston College</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27914" first="Tyler" last="Davis"], Lenape, DB: Delaware</strong> <strong>Vincenzo Rea, Manalapan, K: Monmouth</strong> <strong>Naran Buntin, Mater Dei, WR: Kent State</strong> <strong>Richie Pekmezian, Mater Dei, K: Maine</strong> <strong>Anthony Perez, Mater Dei, OL: Bryant</strong> <strong>Michael Robinson, Montclair, ATH: Michigan (preferred walk-on)</strong> <strong>Rickey Spruill, Notre Dame, ATH: Wagner</strong> <strong>Jed Henry, Nottingham, LB: Georgetown</strong> <strong>Brad Jamison, Ocean City, LB: Bucknell</strong> <strong>Chris Carasia, Ocean Township, ATH: Lafayette</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27890" first="Louce" last="Julien"], Orange, DE: Massachusetts</strong> <strong>Broadus Brown, Paramus Catholic, DT: Howard</strong> <strong>Chris King, Paramus Catholic, DE: Buffalo</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27906" first="Zack" last="Taylor"], Parsippany Hills, LS: Rutgers (preferred walk-on)</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27875" first="Jordan" last="Thompson"], Parsippany Hills, DE/LB: Rutgers</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27887" first="Jake" last="Ketschek"], St. Augustine, OL: Vanderbilt</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27868" first="Keshon" last="Griffin"], St. Joseph (Hamm.), DE/LB: Rutgers</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27878" first="Desmond" last="Igbinosun"], Union, DB: Rutgers</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27915" first="Zahir" last="Abdus-Salaam"], Union City, RB: Western Michigan</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27929" first="Casey" last="Larkin"], Wall, ATH: Army</strong> <strong>Chad Martini, Watchung Hills, QB: Cornell</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27884" first="Jayson" last="Raines"], West Orange, Stanford</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27861" first="Khayri" last="Banton"], West Side, LB: Rutgers</strong> <strong>Shaquan Loyal, West Side, DB: Rutgers</strong> <strong>Donovan Ezeiruaku, Williamstown, ATH: Boston College</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27880" first="Demie" last="Sumo"], Willingboro, RB: North Carolina State</strong> <strong>Jayden Brown, Winslow, ATH: Navy</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27866" first="Jalen" last="Cheek"], Winslow, DB: Boston College</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27893" first="Joshua" last="Nobles"], Woodrow Wilson, DE: Western Michigan</strong>