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The first Wednesday in February used to be the biggest day on the football calendar for high school seniors moving on to play in college, a celebration of many years of preparation and hard work.
But that changed a couple of years ago when the NCAA added a December signing period, giving players a window to make commitments official early.
Though many do sign in December — the list can be found here — there are still some who wait, and Wednesday was their day to celebrate by putting pen to paper.
Plus, for a few, provide a little suspense.
Serra defensive end Nusi Malani — this news organization’s defensive player of the year last fall — didn’t announce his decision until a signing ceremony in his high school gym.
With three hats on the table — Virginia to the left, Washington State in the middle and Arizona to the right — the big guy picked the blue and orange of Virginia.
“I committed in the coach’s house on my visit,” said Malani, who told family and a few close friends but no one else. “I took other trips to see if I would change my mind, but at the same time didn’t. I just felt Virginia was the right place for me.”
Serra athlete Terence Loville also announced his decision at the ceremony, choosing San Jose State.
The gathering at Tom Brady’s alma mater included quarterback Daylin McLemore, who announced last weekend that he had committed to Arizona State, and offensive lineman Nate Azzopardi, who signed with Idaho.
Safety Jackson Lataimua, who signed with Washington State in December, was recognized, too.
Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall told reporters that Malani will be a nice addition in the team’s 3-4 scheme.
“Nusi has been a highly-targeted prospect after playing so well as a sophomore in his team’s state championship season,” Mendenhall said. “He’s played in a program that has produced Power Five players and we loved his physical approach, mentality and leadership.”
Why wait?
Some Bay Area players wasted no time signing their letter of intent.
At 7:03 a.m., Oregon State sent out a Tweet announcing that Granada offensive lineman Tyler Morano was heading to Corvallis.
“I liked the family type feeling of the team and coaches — also it being a Power 5 school,” he told this news organization a little later. “I think I’ll be a good fit at Oregon State. I’ll be able to redshirt my first year and then get bigger and hopefully get ready for offensive tackle.”
Four minutes after Oregon State announced Morano’s signing, Wyoming sent out a Tweet to welcome Monte Vista linebacker Connor Shay.
“Connor is a tough, physical Linebacker. He is smart, plays hard, and runs very well,” the tweet noted.
By 10 a.m., three more Bay Area players signed — McLemore, St. Francis lineman Mose Vavao (Fresno State) and Valley Christian athlete Isaiah McElvane (San Diego State).
Quite a tale
McLemore’s story is unique on a couple of fronts. The son of former 49ers Super Bowl champion Dana McLemore, he waited until his senior season for an opportunity to start at Serra, staying patient when so many others in similar situations these days choose to transfer.
Eight games into a spectacular campaign, McLemore suffered what was thought to be a season-ending collarbone injury. He watched from the sideline as sophomore Dominique Lampkin led the Padres to section and regional championships and into a state title game.
The length of the postseason run gave McLemore time to heal. He started the state final, leading the Padres to a touchdown on their opening series.
But there was no fairytale ending.
He was knocked out of the game on a vicious hit out of bounds and Lampkin’s effort to lead a dramatic comeback fell just short as Corona del Mar claimed the 1-A championship.
But the college offers continued to pour in for McLemore and last weekend he committed to coach Herm Edwards and ASU.
Wednesday, McLemore made that commitment official.
“I knew once I got the offer that’s where I was going,” McLemore said. “Just wanted to make sure everything was right out there. Playing for Coach Edwards was definitely one of the deciding factors, just him as a person and who he wants me to become.”
Bay Area football signings
DT, Jacques Allard, 6-3, 235, Holy Cross
Welcome to the Family, @JacqAllard!#HaveItALL | #NSD20 | #GoCrossGo pic.twitter.com/B7x34dwYmF
— Holy Cross Football (@HCrossFB) February 5, 2020
OL Nate Azzopardi, Serra, 6-3, 275, Idaho
Let's get this party started, join us in welcoming Nate Azzopardi @NateAzzo to the squad!#JoinTheTribeFromTheNorth #GoVandals | #SigningDay2020 pic.twitter.com/78y5Tm4Ulf
— Idaho Football (@VandalFootball) February 5, 2020
ILB Peyton Borrelli, Liberty, 6-2, 230, Southern Utah
DT Joe Fleming, Christopher, 6-2, 280, Southern Oregon
RB Justice Jackson, Liberty, 5-11, 180, Eastern Washington
“He’s a long and taller running back and runs with a great profile. He has a nose for yards and a tool belt of options when he gets the ball and can make people miss. He’s a grinder.” –AB
An Eag has landed from Cali, welcome to EWU, Justice!#GoEags #NSD20 pic.twitter.com/U8GZqusNUc
— EWU Football 🏈 (@EWUFootball) February 5, 2020
DE Elijah Lash, Las Lomas, 6-3, 240, New Mexico
Up to lucky No. 13 on #NationalSigningDay2020 and when you need a defensive lineman to lash out at the opponent, you get LASH!! Let's welcome to the Lobo family from Walnut Creek, Calif., Elijah Lash (@Elijahlash4)!! #GoLoboshttps://t.co/HW3qaH6q00 pic.twitter.com/wtgHr7qxd9
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) February 5, 2020
ATH Terence Loville, Serra, 6-0, 170, San Jose State
Welcome to the #SpartanFamily, WR Terence Loville!
"The young man is an incredible competitor."
📰 https://t.co/GmV8tDBmBZ pic.twitter.com/gnOdMcYmId
— San José State Football (@SanJoseStateFB) February 5, 2020
DE Nusi Malani, Serra, 6-6, 250, Virginia
A 6-6 defensive rushing beast from San Bruno, Calif., @JuiceNus starred at Junipero Serra High School in the Bay Area. #GoHoos | #TheStandard
BIO: https://t.co/Z8ZUyeH7B5 pic.twitter.com/khrwR1n9UK
— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) February 5, 2020
ATH Isaiah McElvane, Valley Christian, 5-11, 183, San Diego State
From the Bay Area to America's Finest City, Isaiah McElvane is now an Aztec! pic.twitter.com/bUfLs4UZSU
— San Diego State Football (@AztecFB) February 5, 2020
QB Daylin McLemore, Serra, 6-3, 195, Arizona State
Welcome to Tempe, @daylinmclemore 😈 pic.twitter.com/smp2210mrw
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) February 5, 2020
OL Marcus Miller, Castro Valley, 6-4, 270, UNLV
Here we go @_MEM_69_ ‼️
Welcome ‼️#BEaREBEL #NSD20 pic.twitter.com/mGbUyHIaRD— UNLV Football (@unlvfootball) February 5, 2020
OT Tyler Morano, Granada, 6-6, 255, Oregon State
Family > Everything
Welcome to the family, @tymorano99! #BTD20 pic.twitter.com/kUhmdqr2FB
— Oregon State Football (@BeaverFootball) February 5, 2020
OL JT Reed, Valley Christian, 6-2, 290, Montana State
Ready to be a cat ‼️ https://t.co/ldXq1jlEfa
— JT Reed (@treed408) February 5, 2020
DE Braeden Yee, Benicia, 6-2, 245, Southern Oregon
DE Colton Vardell, Bishop O’Dowd, 6-5, 230, Brown
Very excited to announce my commitment to Brown University!! So thankful for everyone who has supported me through this process my gratitude to you all goes beyond words. Can’t wait to see what we can do in the next 4!🐻📚@BrownUFootball @BrownHCPerry @coachDjackson1 @dlinevids1 pic.twitter.com/MgOQAukmBp
— Colton Vardell (@VardellColton) January 28, 2020
TE Sterling Stokes, Bishop O’Dowd, 6-4, 210 Penn
I'm excited to announce my commitment to the University of Pennsylvania!🔴🔵 #JoinTheUPrising #GoQuakers #IvyLeague pic.twitter.com/TKQkePwrCf
— Sterling Stokes (@StokesSterling) February 4, 2020
• Note: Ivy League commits don’t actually sign a letter of intent because those schools don’t offer athletic scholarships, though there is a blind admissions/financial aid process.
