With pens in hand and dreams in their sights, local prep football players celebrated the culmination of years of dedication during National Signing Day last week. From the early signing period in December to the February signing period, the anticipation of what’s next ignited enthusiasm across the Inland area as athletes officially committed to programs that will shape their futures.
Wednesday, Feb. 5, was National Signing Day, which is always filled with excitement, but it was especially sweet for Murrieta Valley senior Dorian Hoze., who made his dream a reality by signing to play Division 1 football with Nevada. The running back, who had been overlooked for several months, was named to the 2024 All-CIF Southern Section Division 2 First Team and was the Big West Offensive Player of the Year after he rushed for 2,127 yards and 32 touchdowns as Murrieta Valley went 11-3. Hoze also posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons his final two prep years, also going for 1,490 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior in 2023.
Hoze wasn’t the only standout from Murrieta Valley to take part in the festivities. The school highlighted four athletes during the early signing window in December. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier will be heading to Stanford, where he’ll team up with his older brother Tiger. Offensive lineman Andrew Nichols solidified his future at Michigan State, while tight ends Jacob Alvarez and Brandon Gilbert will continue their football journeys at San Diego State and Cornell, respectively.
At Chaparral, six student-athletes also solidified their decisions early. JJ Craven signed with Idaho, while Corbin Frutos and Cole Fuller both committed to Cal Poly, bringing their talents to the Mustangs. Shane Klingelberg is set for Southern Utah, Liam Porter chose Davidson, and Justin Selway became a future cadet at Air Force, reflecting the depth of talent within one of the area’s top programs.
The tradition continued during the February signing period, with Murrieta Valley seeing three additional recruits find their new homes. Offensive lineman Ethan Adams signed with Ottawa University, defensive back Isaiah Ayers committed to Black Hills State, and receiver Kurelle Thomas joined Western Colorado. These signings brought further attention to the program’s ability to develop top-tier talent ready to excel at the collegiate level.
Meanwhile, athletes from surrounding schools also joined the fray. Linfield Christian’s Marcus Dylke will take his skills to Fort Lewis. Temecula’s Noah Watkins will be headed to Colorado Mesa University and Murrieta Mesa celebrated as Alexander Krishan signed with Army West Point, a commitment reflecting a tremendous opportunity for both academic and athletic growth.
The differences between the early signing period in December and the traditional February window continue to be a topic of interest for athletes and fans alike. Early signing allows players to enroll for the spring semester, gaining extra time to adjust to collegiate life and prepare for the upcoming season. For others, the February signing period provides an extended timeline to weigh options and finalize decisions, ensuring the best possible fit both athletically and academically.
This year’s Signing Day celebrations captured an important milestone for athletes across the region. Families and communities joined together to honor the hard work, determination, and talent these players have displayed throughout their high school careers. While the numbers on the scoreboard may fade, the commitments made on National Signing Day signal the start of a fresh and exciting chapter for these local stars, as they prepare to compete at some of the nation’s most prestigious collegiate programs.
With so many athletes committing to pursue their passion beyond high school, the Inland area once again proved its identity as a hub for top-tier football talent. The future looks bright for programs across the country as they welcome a new wave of players who are more than ready to leave their mark. In next week’s issue the Valley News Sports Department will highlight the other sports and colleges that local senior student athletes committed to during their NLI signing ceremonies as well.
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