The school gym was packed. The lights were dimmed. And three college hats sat on the table in front of Jaylinn Hawkins.
The time had finally arrived Wednesday afternoon for Buena Park’s record-setting wide receiver/defensive back to announce his college decision to a crowd ready to erupt.
Hawkins then thanked his supporters and reached below the table for another cap that revealed one of the biggest surprises for Orange County football on National Signing Day.
“The university I will be attending, going to school and playing football the next four years, is,” he said before a slight pause, “Cal.”
The crowd burst into cheers. The senior donned a gold cap and later signed with the Golden Bears during an on-campus reception.
“It was very surprising for everyone,” said Buena Park teammate Keven Dixon, a left tackle who signed with Utah. “I’m happy for him. I think he made the right choice for him and I can’t wait to play against him.”
Servite wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown and Tustin wide out George Wilson also ended weeks of speculation and mystery by signing with Notre Dame and Utah, respectively.
Several signs pointed that Hawkins might join Wilson at Utah.
Wilson, a childhood friend of Hawkins since their days with Santa Ana Pop Warner, attended Buena Park’s signing day ceremony about two hours after signing with the Utes.
Hawkins also made an unofficial visit to Utah last weekend, a follow-up for his official visit. Besides Dixon and Wilson’s commitments, the Utes also offered a scholarship to Hawkins’ eighth-grade brother, Josiah.
“I chose to go a different route,” said Hawkins, who also made official visits to Cal, Boise State, Arizona State and Washington.
“God gave me the answer, to be honest. … Academically and football-wise, I felt that was the best place. Football only lasts so long.”
Wilson joined the sea of well-wishers. He and Hawkins actually shared their decisions Tuesday night.
“I knew it,” Wilson said with a laugh. “Any decision he made would have been perfect for me. … It’s fine. I’m proud of him.”
“I was surprised but I’m also extremely proud for someone to look at the academic portion of it,” Buena Park coach Anthony White said.
“Everybody has to make the best choice for them and their family and that’s what I think Jaylinn did.”
About an hour earlier at Servite, St. Brown placed hats from Utah, UCLA, USC, Notre Dame and Stanford on a table for a live interview with ESPNU.
St. Brown, who called himself a mystery man in recruiting, said the national stage made him nervous, but he pledged to a program that recruited him hard. The Irish made multiple in-home visits with the 6-foot-5 senior wide receiver.
St. Brown spoke “Notre Dame” in French and also thanked his mother, Miriam, in her native German language.
“I think Notre Dame will be the best fit for me as a football player and for education and for after football,” said St. Brown, who said he picked the Irish over finalist Stanford.
“I kind of knew what I wanted even before the top schools offered me scholarships. I knew I was headed toward education (as a priority).”
Wilson was considered a soft verbal commitment to Utah but signed with the Utes after also making official visits to Washington State, San Jose State and Boise State. He initially reached for a Boise State cap but picked the Utes’ red hat.
“When I was out in Utah, I felt like I was here at home. It was family out there,” he said.
– DAN ALBANO
ST. BROWN BROTHERS COLLECTING OFFERS
St. Brown has two younger brothers who play football at Servite and both have early scholarship offers. Here’s the latest:
Osiris St. Brown, sophomore: offers from Illinois, Washington State, Texas Tech, Notre Dame and Utah
Amon-Ra, freshman: offers from Utah, Washington State
– DAN ALBANO
BIG DAY FOR BUENA PARK
Buena Park’s signing ceremony featured seven players, a record for fifth-year coach Anthony White.
“Buena Park is here to stay,” said Mark Vargas, who will join teammates Mat Sifuentes and Max Rivera at NAIA Trinity International in Deerfield, Illinois.
The Coyotes signing day tallied matched Mission Viejo’s total. The Coyotes; ceremony also included video highlights of each player and speeches from White and the players.
“This is the new standard we have,” White said.
– DAN ALBANO
‘DREAM’ DAY FOR DARNOLD
San Clemente quarterback Sam Darnold, who signed with USC, said he started dreaming of becoming a college athlete at about age 6 after attending his first Trojans football game.
“Dream come true,” Darnold said after signing his letter of intent.
Darnold and Mission Viejo center Cole Smith signed with a USC class ranked No. 1 in the nation by Scout.com and Rivals.com.
– DAN ALBANO
SERVITE’S JOHNSON BLUESHIRTS WITH USC
Servite All-County offensive lineman Clayton Johnson didn’t sign a letter of intent with USC on Wednesday but instead signed documents for blueshirting with the Trojans, the senior explained late in the day.
Essentially, the process means Johnson won’t count as part of USC’s 2015 signing class but will in 2016.
Johnson explained that he will report to August camp and after the first day of practice, he will sign financial aid papers that make him count as 2016 recruit.
And despite being a bluesirt, he could still play this fall for USC, he explained.
– DAN ALBANO
TRULY BLESSED AT SERVITE
Recruits often talk about being blessed but at Servite on Wednesday, the football signees really were blessed. Father Viblanc Steephen said a prayer at the Friars’ ceremony and then surprised the players by sprinkling Holy Water on them as they were seated at a long table.
– DAN ALBANO
SLEEPER ALERT
Pacifica offensive lineman Dallas Hart (6-5, 295) signed with FCS contender Montana. The senior was a first-team All-Empire League selection last season.
– DAN ALBANO
SAGAPOLU JOINS WISCONSIN ‘FAMILY’
Mater Dei All-County defensive lineman Olive Sagapolu signed with Wisconsin. And not for the weather.
“Wisconsin has one of the top sociology and criminal justice programs in the country,” Sagapolu said. “They said that I could become a starter for them this coming season. I felt welcome there and they have a family atmosphere there.”
Sagapolu is happy that Mater Dei teammate Kyle Penniston, a tight end, also signed with Wisconson.
“It will be good knowing Kyle is there,” Sagapolu said, “somebody from home who I can relate to with certain things.”
– STEVE FRYER
WHAT NOW FOR McMORRIS?
Malik McMorris was an All-Orange County first-team defensive lineman this past season. But the first day of the winter signing period came and went without McMorris signing or making a decision.
The 6-foot, 290-pound senior has several offers, including ones from Army, Holy Cross, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UC Davis, Azusa Pacific and Virginia Union.
Cal also invited him as a preferred walk-on, which means McMorris would have to try out for the team and, if he makes it, he could try to secure a scholarship, too.
Joe Schmidt III thinks that McMorris can do what his son, Joe Schmidt IV, did. Schmidt IV, a Mater Dei alum, walked on at Notre Dame. He was the team’s MVP this past season.
“Eventually, as Joe will tell you, if you keep working hard in practice every day,” Schmidt said, “people will start noticing and you’ll get your chance. Joe got into a game and made some plays, and Malik could have the same thing happen for him. Malik’s the same kind of guy.”
Schmidt was at Mater Dei’s signing day celebration where his daughter Margaret signed with Texas A&M.
Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson doesn’t know whether to advise McMorris to take one of the offers at hand before they all go to other recruits, or to pursue a roster spot at Cal.
“What do you say?” Rollinson said. “A kid has a dream of playing and competing at the Division 1 level. It’s a tough decision.”
– STEVE FRYER
PIPELINE STILL RUNNING
Of the four college-bound Mater Dei water polo players, three are going to USC. There has been a Mater Dei-to-USC water polo pipeline for years.
Nick Silvers, a Monarchs water polo player who signed with USC on Wednesday, said his connection to the Trojans has more to it.
“My brother went to USC and so did my sister,” said Silvers, who will major in business and finance at USC. “So it’s sort of a family tradition. I’ve known since I was much younger that I wanted to go there.”
– STEVE FRYER
MAKING A CONNECTION
Mater Dei All-County defensive end Rasheed Williams signed with Idaho State. He knows something about Idaho State defense ends.
“One of my favorite players of all time, Jared Allen, made it from there,” Williams said.
Allen was a three-time All-Big Sky Conference defensive end at Idaho State before becoming a four-time All-Pro defensive end I the NFL.
– STEVE FRYER
THE SOCCER SCENE
Third-ranked Tesoro led the way with seven girls soccer players penning their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday during an on-campus ceremony in front of dozens of family and friends.
The Titans who signed were Victoria Bresler (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), Kaitlyn Cook (Air Force), Kyra Cloutier (Jacksonville), Cameron Davidson (Dominguez Hills), Hailey Hite (USC) and Valen Soares-Gache (Northeastern).
She’s not playing for Tesoro this season, but Natalie Jacobs – a U-20 U.S. Women’s National Team player – also took part in the school’s Signing Day festivities, officially committing to Notre Dame.
Santa Margarita had six players sign, and San Clemente had four officially commit, but two others, Alexandria Robertson and Samara Bahoo, will sign in the coming days, giving the Tritons a total of six signees.
Every team in the latest O.C. top 10 had at least two players pen letters of intent, except for one: top-ranked Aliso Niguel. Star center midfielder Sarah Roberts was the lone Wolverine to commit on Wednesday, signing with Ohio State.
The college that signed the most Orange County players? Air Force will be getting three local players next season. The Falcons signed Cook, Rafaella Bucur (Laguna Hills) and Hailey Laub (San Clemente).
– KENNY CONNOLLY
