Galena Park quarterback/receiver Gahn McGaffie signed to play at Big 12 runner-up Missouri. "The coaches made me feel real at home. Like, most of the coaches up there remind me of the coaches I have right now. ... When I went down on my official visit, all the players, they seem like real cool people to be around," McGaffie said.
During his four years on varsity, McGaffie ran or caught for almost 5,700 yards. He scored 58 touchdowns and is on the academic all-district team.
"And I know college is going to be a big change from high school. So I'm ready for the challenges I'm going to face," McGaffie said.
The commitment to University of Missouri wasn't a snap decision. It was very thought out. Gahns mom, Brenda, really did her homework.
"I kind of did a spreadsheet on the schools that had offered him (scholarships), and I put in how long the coaches had been there, what kind of records they had, what their percentage of athletes graduating was. And, with process of elimination, it came down to Missouri," she said.
Also signing were running backs Lester Bush to Midwestern State and Tony Morales to Prairie View.
"I picked Midwestern State because I liked it down there. I liked the atmosphere. It wasn't too out in the middle of nowhere and it was pretty nice. I liked the players. They are real good in academics and they have a pretty good football team," Bush said.
At North Shore, coach David Aymond is proud of his six players signing letters of intent.
"They take care of business in the classroom, or they wouldn't be up there. That's the first thing. Secondly, they worked hard year round in our program to be where they are, and it's a chance to move on to the next level and see what they can do, " Aymond said.
Defensive lineman Chase McEntee signed to play at Fresno State. For McEntee, signing day comes as a relief.
"Don't get me wrong, it was a great process. It's fun. But, I mean, it was long and tiring. I mean, people are calling me all the time. But it was a great process. The trips were great, it's been a fun ride. Whoever's gonna go through it in the future, be prepared. It's going to be fun.
Lawrence Furlow and Justin Rogers signed to play at Grand View College in Iowa. Ryan Williams will go to Harding University.
Armando Alvarez and quarterback Jeremiah McGinty will go to Kilgore Junior College. For McGinty, last season was his first to play quarterback and took the Mustangs to the Class 5A Division I state semifinal.
He's confident in his abilities and has his goals already laid out.
"My goal is to go to Kilgore and take care of business there, then go transfer to a Division I (school) and hopefully become the starter there. Get the job done there, and at the end of the (NFL) draft, make an impact in the NFL," McGinty said.
Jeremiah's parents know he can succeed at the next level. He's come from behind all his life.
"He's always been an underdog. He's got a dream, and he follows it," Jeremiah's father, Durward McGinty said.
And, life around the house will be a little different for all the signees' parents.
"It's going to be quiet, no one's gonna be bossing us around," Durward McGinty joked, with his wife Wanda echoing the sentiment.
"My life has just begun," Brenda McGaffie said. "(Gahn) is the baby, I'm celebrating more than one thing."
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