Has Signing Day lost some luster because of the college transfer portal?

ORADELL − For some, Commitment Day at Bergen Catholic was about saying goodbye. For all, it was hello to new opportunities.

Eleven Crusader athletes took part in ceremonies Tuesday morning inside the Hoehl Gymnasium, headlined by football players Nyier Daniels (Georgia), Elijah Kinsler (West Virginia) and Kaj Sanders (Rutgers). The last day before Christmas break at the school is Wednesday, so school administrators wanted to recognize all the athletes a day early, and a day before the early football signing period officially started.

But for Daniels, Kinsler and Sanders, Wednesday is also their last day of school in Oradell. The three have completed the required coursework to graduate early, and will be headed to their respective colleges to start working with the football programs.

“The way we do it is, if you’re holding a Division I scholarship before the start of your senior year and you have a coach who says they want you there, we can work with you,” Bergen Catholic coach Vito Campanile said. “Steve [Angeli] and the Jaydens [Jayden Bellamy and Jaeden Gould] were the first to do it. They did really well with it.”

Sanders said he is looking forward to joining Rutgers as the Scarlet Knights prepares for their bowl game, but also admitted he would miss high school.

Eleven Bergen Catholic athletes made college commitments on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.

“It’s a grind through the summer,” Campanile said. “There is no real offseason academically for them now with going to school over the summer before senior year and then we have four guys going down the same road next year.”

Signing Day, or Commitment Day as Bergen Catholic calls it, is still a big deal. Campanile called it one of his favorite days because it’s the culmination of so much hard work and a celebration for those athletes who found a path to…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/cooper-signing-day-lost-luster-091102369.html

Author : The Bergen Record

Publish date : 2023-12-20 09:11:02

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