Arizona’s top high school football seniors signed their national letters of intent in December during that early 72-hour window.
On Wednesday, additional Arizona high school football seniors scrambling to find scholarships to pay for their college will be signing.
Most of them will be signing with lesser-known schools such as Langston University, Western New Mexico, University of Sioux Falls, Arizona Christian, Lake Forest or Fort Hays State.
Centennial Coyotes Noah Carter (11) reacts after making a first down against the Desert Edge Scorpions during a game played at Centennial High in Peoria on Aug. 25, 2023.
This is how the recruiting game has changed. The NCAA transfer portal and the immediate eligibility it provides college players is a factor. So is the impact of additional eligibility years granted to players because of COVID, another key factor that has changed the landscape of high school National Signing Day, as established college players can move to other schools easily and play longer, limiting opportunities for high school seniors.
“The good news is there’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Desert Edge co-head coach Mark Carter, who, with his brother Marcus, will honor 18 football seniors during a signing ceremony Wednesday evening, from Division I to NAIA scholarships. “This last bit of the COVID kids (extra eligibility) is almost done.
“The biggest beneficiary are the small schools who aren’t so frequently in the portal. They’re getting top D-I kids, because it’s so congested at the top. These kids have to see the smaller opportunities that help them get their school paid for,” he said.
“The process can be stressful but with anything, if you have a plan, it will work out.”
Many players used the last several days to pin down their college destination, such as Desert Edge wide receiver Jaqua Anderson…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/arizona-high-school-football-seniors-005452175.html
Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic
Publish date : 2024-02-07 00:54:52
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