National Signing Day has arrived. Here’s where top Fort Worth-area athletes are going
National Signing Day is this week and on Wednesday student athletes from around the country can formalize their college decisions. Of the hundreds from the Fort Worth area, most have made their selections, however, there will be a few who will reveal their choice before assembled family and friends.
One such player is Arlington Bowie’s Devon Campbell, the nation’s top-rated offensive guard, who has narrowed his choices to Oklahoma and Texas. Campbell will announce his decision at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Bowie’s indoor football facility, however, analysts at 247Sports are predicting that he’ll be heading to Austin.
A four-time all-district selection, Campbell was an All-American last season. According to 247Sports, Campbell has been offered by 32 schools, including national champion Georgia, runner-up Alabama, LSU, TCU and a host of other schools.
Along with being the top-ranked guard in the country, Campbell ranks as the third-best football player in Texas for the Class of 2022 and ninth overall in the nation, according to 247Sports. He also participates in basketball and track for the Volunteers.
Texas currently ranks as fifth in the country for its 2022 commitment class and No. 1 in the Big 12 with an average rating of 90.5. Oklahoma is 10th in the country and second in the Big 12 with a rating of 91.9.
Arlington Seguin’s Harris is TCU bound
Arlington ISD celebrated 44 athletes during Wednesday’s national signing day. Nine different sports and 35 colleges were represented while the students combined for nearly $2 million in scholarships.
Over half of the students (25) were football players, and that included three-star offensive tackle Quinton Harris signed with TCU during the early signing period in December. He had been committed to SMU, but switched to TCU, following head coach Sonny Dykes to Fort Worth.
“I was close to him with SMU, we built up a tight bond,” said Harris, who’s listed at 6-foot-7. “It’s been a long journey and I worked hard for this position. My dad has been my drive. I want to make him proud and everyone proud.”
Harris was an all-district selection last season and helped Seguin to a playoff berth in 2020. Now that college is on the horizon, Harris said he’s ready to go to work with the Horned Frogs. “When I come, it’s going to be a new program. We’re going to have a winning season,” Harris said.
Arlington Martin All-American heading to Stanford
Ernest Cooper IV, a four-star defensive lineman for the Warriors, is headed to Stanford. He signed with the Cardinal during the early signing period, but was recognized on Wednesday.
“Definitely not just for me, but all the student-athletes, it’s a moment to be proud of,” Cooper said. “Just taking it to the next level and continued success.”
Signing day comes just a few weeks after Cooper played in the Under Armour All-American game. “Best of the best,” he said. “Brutal, but good though and if I could do it again, I’d do the whole week again.”
Cooper was one of the top defensive linemen in the country.
247Sports ranks him as the No. 21 defensive lineman in the nation for the Class of 2022. He was a four-time all-district selection including top sophomore of the year in 2019.
Last season, Cooper made over 60 tackles and had nearly 10 sacks for the Warriors.
“I never knew I’d be where I am today, but I want to congratulate the coaches,” Cooper said. “I wouldn’t have had the success without the people at Martin and here in Arlington.”
Former Dallas Cowboys lineman speaks
Joe Looney, who played for the Cowboys for five seasons, was Wednesday’s guest speaker during the Arlington ISD national signing day at the district’s athletics complex.
Looney, who retired last August, spoke in front of 44 student-athletes, who were celebrated and recognized for continuing their academic and athletic careers.
“I was where you are 15 years ago listening to someone talk about their experience,” Looney said. “Take this message and do something great. The choice is on you, and once again congratulations.”
Looney grew up in Florida and was drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. While in Dallas, Looney appeared in 61 games from 2017-20, with most of those as the starting center.
“Absolutely wonderful achievement and you deserve it,” said Looney, who played college ball at Wake Forest. “College is such a fun experience. But while you’re enjoying that experience, you’re making the smart decision and doing the right things.”
Headed to the Hilltop
Three-star Arlington offensive tackle Jacob Waller was recognized on Wednesday for his December signing with the SMU Mustangs. He made the all-district 8-6A team last season.
“I’m so excited to get to SMU and see the coaches again,” Waller said. “Build that relationship even more and start working out.”
Waller has been committed to SMU since July.
“Playing so close to home, I love it. I get to see my parents every weekend after a big game. It will be so exciting to have my parents there at every game,” Waller said. “Pony up. Let’s get it.”
Colleyville Heritage Football
Six football players from Colleyville Heritage will celebrate signing day this week, which includes several of the top players in the Fort Worth-area.
Wide receiver Hogan Wasson will sign his letter of intent with Northwestern State. Wasson led the area with 85 receptions and fifth with 1,192 yards. He was voted district Offensive MVP. Kicker Bryan Hansen will sign with Colorado State. Hansen led the area with 18 made field goals and also averaged nearly 40 yards per punt.
Defensive lineman Christopher Knight will sign with Harding. He led the metroplex with 205 tackles (seventh in the state) and added 37 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Knight was district Defensive MVP.
Also signing are Leon Covington (West Texas A&M), Jordan Springer (Tyler JC) and Quinn Korinek (Lyon College).
Chisholm Trail’s Gillespie chooses Permian Basin
Rangers’ senior setter Jadyn Gillespie recently committed to UT-Permian Basin and will sign her letter of intent on Wednesday along with teammates Maddie McQueen (Northwestern State), Kira Gonzales (Saint Mary’s of the Woods) and Daija Broadnax (Paine College).
Gillespie was voted district setter of the year in the fall and finished the regular season with the most assists in the Fort Worth-area. She would finish with a school-record 1,400 assists, second in the area and Top 10 in the nation.
McQueen was voted district MVP with over 500 kills and 500 digs as Chisholm Trail finished third in District 3-6A.
Little history at Lake Worth
Lake Worth wide receiver Damarion Polty will sign his letter of intent to play football at Texas A&M Commerce.
With Commerce’s move to Division 1 during the 2022 season, Polty becomes perhaps the first D1 signee in program history, if not the first then the first in some time.
Polty had 940 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns, and helped the Bullfrogs to a 9-3 record and their best start in more than 15 years.
Texas Wesleyan hat trick
Three football players from Fort Worth Eastern Hills will sign their letters of intent with Texas Wesleyan, Jeremiah Holland, Ke’Shawn Rubell and Kareem Walker.
The Highlanders went 4-6 in the fall while Wesleyan went 7-2.
Wesleyan had six players on last season’s roster from Fort Worth.
Top receiver will sign with Angelo State
Burleson wide receiver Luke Peterson committed to Angelo State and will make it official this week.
Peterson was voted district utility MVP after helping the Elks on offense, defense and special teams.
Peterson finished sixth in the Fort Worth-area with 70 receptions, first with 1,467 yards, first with 22 touchdowns and he also added five interceptions.
Mansfield celebration
Student-athletes will again be recognized at Mansfield ISD’s Center for Performing Arts at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. A total of 100 athletes will be honored, with students from all five schools — Mansfield, Lake Ridge, Summit, Timberview and Legacy — taking part.
Gators and Horns
A pair of Weatherford Kangaroos will sign this week with top-tier Power Five programs.
Linebacker Koby Kidd (Texas) and tight end Hayden Hansen (Florida) will celebrate on Wednesday.
Both helped the Roos to one of their more successful years in recent history, going 7-4 overall and 6-1 in district. Weatherford also hosted a playoff game for the first time.
Kidd, who’s also a top wrestler, made 130 total tackles, 88 solo tackles and 14 tackles for loss. Hansen, a 3-star player, scored four touchdowns and averaged nearly 10 yards per catch.
Daniel Seals will also sign at Weatherford on Wednesday with Northwestern Oklahoma State. He is the younger brother of Weatherford grad and Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals.
More football
North Crowley will have 10 football players recognized this week. Eaton has eight, Nolan Catholic has seven while Justin Northwest and Aledo will have six each.
This includes North Crowley quarterback Quinton Jackson (Rice), Nolan’s Curlee Thomas IV (Cal), Eaton’s Charles Whitebear (Oklahoma Baptist) and Brock Hayward (Oklahoma Baptist) and Aledo’s Sammy Steffe (Southwest Baptist) and Jurrien Loftin (Texas Tech).
This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
