National Signing Day kicked off Wednesday morning and the state of Georgia once again took center stage as top prospects in the Class of 2021 maintained the state’s strong tradition of being a hotbed of college football talent. The early signing period that occurred back on Dec. 16 was exceptionally busy with Georgia’s Class of 2021 standouts taking advantage of the first opportunity to sign their National Letters of Intent. This year’s early signing period came following significant changes that were forced by Covid’s disruptions on the recruiting process. Among these changes were the NCAA’s ruling to suspend all in-person recruiting until April 15, 2021, a summer that saw the normal camp schedule scrubbed and the removal of SAT/ACT requirements from the initial academic eligibility requirements. That early activity shaped how the remaining Class of 2021 signees would fill out the recruiting classes. Here are some of the biggest headlines from National Signing Day 2021:
10:00 A.M.: Hughes made history this season by appearing in the quarterfinals for the first time in school history. Track standout and wide receiver Marquez Cowens hauled in a team-high 43 catches for 760 yards and five touchdowns and signed with Tuskagee at the next level.
11:00 A.M. Class 2A state champion Callaway celebrated their Class of 2021 signees with nine Cavaliers signing to play at the next level. This group includes two-time all-state quarterback Demetrius Coleman—who will switch to the defensive side of the ball to play defensive back at Chattanooga.
11:15 A.M.: Wilcox County’s Key Larkin was joined by his family as he signed to play for the Point University Skyhawks. Larkin will graduate with a 3.5 GPA this Spring and played running back, wide receiver and free safety for the Patriots that finished this past season with a 9-3 record after falling to eventual state champion Irwin County in the second round. Wilcox County also saw Matt Mcadoo sign with Mars Hill, Branson Owens signed with Army and Curtis LeFlore signed with University of the Cumberlands.
11:30 A.M. Class 3A powerhouse Cedar Grove announced its massive haul of 11 signees that will be representing the Saints at the next level all around the college football landscape. This group includes: Jordan Grier (Indiana), Austin Smith (Eastern Michigan), Antonio Taylor (SE Missouri), Langston White (Mercer), Christian Anderson (Chattanooga), Keon Watson (Albany State), Demarius Jackson (Shorter), Justin Jones (Eastern Kentucky), Montego Johnson (Central State), Zaire Prioleau (Concordia), Domonique Davis (Lenoir-Rhyne).
11:35 A.M: Class A-Private ELCA’s Bryson Estes is already enrolled at Florida State, but three more Chargers inked their letters of intent on Wednesday with Caleb Anthony (UCONN), Reece Smith (Dartmouth) and Phil Massengale (Shorter) rounding out the Class of 2021 signees.
11:40 A.M.: Banneker’s Jeterryous Jones announced he would be signing with Carson-Newman. The safety and wide receiver earned All-Region recognition as a sophomore with the Trojans and also filled in as a quarterback this past season.
11:45 A.M.: Gainesville high school sent five seniors to the next level. Punter Tristian Lyon signed with Georgia State, linebacker and tight end Asif Ali signed with Lenoir Rhyne, quarterback Gionni Williams signed with Garden City CC, 6-foot-5 defensive tackle Malique Stringer signed with Coffeyville CC and versatile 6-foot-4 lineman and long snapper Ignacio Olvera signed with Keiser University.
12:00 P.M.: Appling County football took the stage to recognize the Pirates’ seven Class of 2021 signees. Quarterback and Athlete Jerimiah Holmes signed with Georgia Military College, with teammates Lane Hutchinson—a 6-foot-2, 270-pound offensive lineman and Trace Shumans—a 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive lineman.
12:00 P.M.: Miller Grove cornerback Daveon Williams became the latest DeKalb product to sign his letter of intent and will be heading to play for William Penn. Williams is also a member of Miller Grove’s basketball team. William was one of five Miller Grove players that signed their LOI on Wednesday’s ceremony. Linebacker and running back Stephen Bacon signed with Concordia University of Chicago, defensive end and linebacker Jamil Robert and tight end Kehavi Jackson signed with Point University and Jarvis Stewart signed with the GA Knights Prep Academy.
12:05 P.M.: Sonoraville’s Brady Lackey signed with The University of the Cumberlands. Lackey is a 6-foot-2 playmaker that made a huge impact this past season as the quarterback of the Phoenix.
12:30 P.M.: New Manchester added to Douglas County’s growing list of signees and celebrated a group of seven former Jaguars that will represent the school at the next level. Their next destinations span across the college football landscape with FBS and DIII all in the mix: Wake Forest, Mars Hill, Washburn, Arkansas Monticello, West Georgia, Concordia and Lane College.
1:00 P.M.: Woodstock defensive lineman Brett Stefan proudly announced he would be continuing his playing career at Valdosta State next fall. Stefan is a 6-foot-4, 250-pound prospect that posted 6.3 tackles per game and this past season.
2:00 P.M.: North Gwinnett added four more signees to this year’s group of college-bound Bulldogs. Aaron Brebnor signed with Columbia, Seth Anderson signed with Charleston Southern, Corbin Hood signed with Mars Hill and Austin Wainwright signed with Savannah State. These players join North Gwinnett’s early signees Barrett Carter (Clemson), Jordan Hancock (Ohio State) and Jayson Gilliom (Kentucky).
2:30 P.M.: Roswell offensive lineman Corey Robinson III made his commitment official and signed with Kansas. Robinson is a 6-foot-5, 270-pound three-star prospect that chose the Jayhawks over his other 15 offers.
3:30 P.M.: Glynn Academy had one signee on Wednesday with linebacker Ryan Seay inking his LOI to play next year at Savannah State.
4:00 P.M.: North Forsyth offensive and defensive lineman Max Bryant signed with Carson-Newman. The 6-foot-1, 265-pound Bryant was one of five Raiders that signed their LOI at Wednesday’s ceremony.
5:00 P.M.: Class 7A state champion Grayson sent another product to the next level with Grady Bryant announcing his decision to play at Berry. Bryant is a 5-foot-10, 190-pound linebacker that accounted for 91 tackles and 11 tackles for loss this year—helping Grayson complete a perfect season and finish No. 2 in the Maxpreps National Poll.
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