Early national signing day 2022: Where are Philly-area recruits planning on playing college football?
Pennsylvania and New Jersey have some of the top recruits in the class of 2023. They plan to put pen to paper to sign national letters of intent Wednesday.
High school seniors across the country can sign national letters of intent with college football programs during the early period starting Wednesday.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey have some of the top recruits in the class of 2023. And about a dozen from our backyard are committed to Power Five programs, including Georgia, Michigan, and Clemson.
Other prospects from the area are taking their talents to an Ivy league or service academy, while a few are staying local.
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The Inquirer has followed these athletes, learning about their football journeys, recruiting process, and of course, the time that went into getting to signing day.
More than 30 local athletes have committed to FBS programs in the class of 2023. Here’s an interactive map to show which high schools they attend and where each plans to play college football.
In the Philadelphia area, PIAA Class 6A champion St. Joseph’s Prep has two recruits heading to FBS programs: linebackers Josiah Trotter (West Virginia) and Cole Nilles (Air Force).
Trotter, son of Eagles great Jeremiah Trotter, isn’t the only local going to West Virginia. He’ll be joined by Downingtown West’s Cooper Young, an offensive lineman, and Camden’s James Heard, an outside linebacker who played two seasons for St. Joe’s Prep before transferring.
Imhotep linebacker Semaj Bridgeman, one of top recruits in the state, is heading to Michigan, which is taking on Texas Christian in a College Football Playoff semifinal on Dec. 31. Bridgeman’s teammate, safety Rahmir Stewart, recently announced his plans to join former Temple and Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule at Nebraska.
Neumann Goretti’s Shawn Battle, a cornerback who was a key contributor in helping the team advance to the PIAA Class 3A championship game this season, intends on signing with Boston College, where he’ll team up with Kahlil Ali, a safety from Pennsauken High.
Roman Catholic has offensive tackle Austin Ramsey committed to Kentucky, while edge rusher Jameial Lyons, who is ranked as No. 4 recruit in Pennsylvania, will join James Franklin’s program at Penn State.
Among other top signings locally, North Penn wide receiver Yazeed Haynes is ticketed for Georgia and Archbishop Wood tight end Markus Dixon is committed to Clemson.
Army has the most locals committed to the same program. Archbishop Wood’s Eric Gardner (defensive line) and Cole Evans (offensive line), Neshaminy’s Nick Buchys (defensive end), Conestoga’s Brody Eaton (tight end), Springfield-Delco’s Tyler Klambara (offensive line), and Pennridge’s Brennan Fisher (running back) are heading to West Point, N.Y.
Five athletes plan to stay local. Northeast edge rusher Tyrese Whitaker announced on Twitter he would play for Temple. Timber Creek receiver Zyheem Coleman-Frazier, originally committed to Monmouth, plans to join the Owls program. Roman Catholic linebacker Jordan Montgomery announced Tuesday he committed to Temple.
Two offensive linemen from South Jersey are committed to play for Rutgers. Washington Township’s John Stone and Clearview’s Nick Oliveira are looking to make an immediate impact for the Scarlet Knights.