3 Helix Football Stars Commit to Universities on National Signing Day

Three football stars at Helix Charter High School were among dozens locally to announce their college destinations Wednesday.

• Brandon Lewis, quarterback of the state champion Scotties and San Diego CIF Offensive Player of the Year, signed with the University of San Diego, where he also may play baseball. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-hander is an ace of the Highlanders this spring after helping Helix win a CIF title last year.
• Jimmy Pruitt, a receiver and cornerback at 5-10, 175 lbs., signed with San Jose State University.
• Gary Thompson, an outside Linebacker at 6-2, 205 lbs., signed with Marshall University of Huntington, WV.

Once up a time, high school football player would sign with a college, and fans of that school would not know about him until they checked their media guides on the first day of spring practice.

Flash forward to 2012.

In what has become an annual tradition, Wednesday was “National Signing Day,” when high school football stars from around the country officially announced their intentions to pursue their academic and athletic pursuits at the college level.

The day has become its own media circus, with homepage coverage on ESPN.com and other major sports outlets. Television shows even broadcast live from high schools around the country, as the highly sought recruits don a cap with their college choice as friends, family and the media look on.

One such event was held Wednesday morning at the Helix library, where caps and shirts bore the names of the teams the Scotties signed with.

While it’s a little less subdued in San Diego, football stars in Patch communities  signed on the dotted lines, and announced their new school colors. Many of these same players were named to the All-CIF San Diego team.

Mount Miguel (Spring Valley)

Malcolm Jackson, Offensive Tackle/Defensive Tackle – 6-3, 255 lbs. Signed with San Diego State University.

Cory Littleton, Linebacker/Defensive Line – 6-4, 220 lbs. Signed with University of Washington.

Steele Canyon (Rancho San Diego)

Chanceller James, Safety – 6-2, 182 lbs. Signed with Boise State University.

Mario Yakoo, Offensive Guard – 6-3, 325. Signed with Boise State University.
Players from other Patch communities made their choices as well:

Santana (Santee)

T.D. Gross, TE/OT – 6-5, 255 lbs. Signed with the University of Arizona.

West Hills (Santee)

Gary Isaacson, Quarterback – 6-0, 188 lbs. Signed with New Mexico State University.

Valhalla (El Cajon)

Shane Pennix, Defensive End – 6-3, 250 lbs. Signed with the University of Nevada. (Played at Grossmont College).

Christian High School (El Cajon)

Shane Dillon, Quarterback – 6-6, 190 lbs. Signed with Colorado University.

Ramona

Kwayde Miller, Offensive Tackle – 6-7, 275 lbs. Signed with San Diego State University.

La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad)

Jake Jackson, Outside Linebacker – 6-3, 191 lbs. Signed with the University of Utah.

Erik Magnuson, Offensive Tackle – 6-5, 275 lbs. Signed with the University of Michigan.

Carlsbad

Tanner Wrisley, Quarterback – 6-3, 195 lbs. Signed with Harvard University.

Poway

Brian Guendling, Defensive End – 6-4, 202 lbs. Signed with the University of Nevada.

Oceanside

Grant Bays, Center – 6-3, 290 lbs. Signed with Oregon State University.

Eduardo Middleton, Offensive Tackle – 6-4, 285 lbs. Signed with Washington State University.

Vista

Alex Kelley, Center – 6-3, 305 lbs. Signed with Colorado University.

Westview (Rancho Penasquitos)

Taylor McNamara, Tight End – 6-5, 230 lbs. Signed with the University of Oklahoma.

Know anyone else who signed with a college that is not on the list? Please tell us about them in the comments section.