WEST PALM BEACH — Cardinal Newman four-star standout linebacker Adam Balogoun-Ali is heading to Auburn College after signing with the Tigers throughout a faculty ceremony on the primary day of the Early Signing Interval on Wednesday.
Balogoun-Ali, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound inside linebacker, has been ranked No.1 at his place in his class by ESPN 300. He’s the No. 46 participant within the state within the Composite 247Sports rankings for the Class of 2026. He has recorded 101 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss and had an interception return for a landing to assist lead the Crusaders to a 1A state semifinal on Friday.
Balogoun-Ali, who’s in his first season at Cardinal Newman, had beforehand performed at Benjamin.
“It’s been an unimaginable season and I really feel I get higher each recreation,” Balogoun-Ali stated. “The event right here is unmatched and I’m grateful to my coaches. I wish to be among the best linebackers in faculty soccer. I really feel with my versatility on the sector, I could make an incredible influence.”
Balogoun-Ali dedicated to Auburn this previous July. He additionally thought of Missouri and Florida heading into Early Signing Day. Former Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze was fired this previous November and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin had served because the interim coach. The Tigers had completed 5-7 in the course of the common season. Alex Golesh, who served as head coach on the College of South Florida for the previous three seasons, was employed for a similar place at Auburn on Nov. 30.
“I didn’t know who my defensive coordinator can be and who can be within the linebacker room so I began occupied with Missouri and Florida and so they had an opportunity,” Balogoun-Ali stated. “It made me snug to remain at Auburn with D.J. [Durkin] nonetheless there.”
Cardinal Newman quarterback Jyron Hughley (West Virginia) and offensive sort out Brayden Chaney (Syracuse) additionally each signed on the ceremony.
Hughley, who was chosen because the Solar Sentinel Palm Seashore 4A-1A Offensive Participant of the 12 months throughout his junior season, has accounted for 29 touchdowns and rushed for 1,250 yards getting into the state semifinal. Hughley has served because the workforce’s beginning quarterback for the previous two seasons. The 6-foot-1,180-pound three-star prospect, is the No. 26 ATH nationally within the 247Sports Composite rankings for his class. He dedicated to West Virginia final April.
“Coach Jack [Daniels] welcomed me with open arms my Tenth-grade yr and the coaches have believed in me to assist me get to the subsequent degree,” Hughley stated.
Charney, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound offensive sort out, additionally got here from Benjamin. He’s ranked No. 149 nationally at his place within the Composite 247Sports rankings in his class. Charney, a three-star prospect, had dedicated to Syracuse in June.
“It’s been an ideal season and I’ve by no means made it this far in my highschool profession,” Charney stated. “I’m excited for a brand new alternative to indicate my expertise and to work arduous. Coach [Fran] Brown actually stood out to me the best way he preaches and as a coach to assist in my growth at Syracuse.”
Crusaders operating again Phoenix Donghia, a James Madison commit, and offensive lineman Iggy Zulaica, a Florida A&M commit, elected to carry off from signing Wednesday.
— ALEX KUSHEL
Signings galore at West Boca Raton
With the West Boca Raton two wins from a state title repeat in 6A, star operating again Javian Mallory put pen to paper and locked in with Miami and was among the many double-digit signings for the Bulls on Wednesday.
“I’m simply blessed and blissful,” Mallory stated. “I’m simply very grateful for everyone in my nook, in my circle, that helped me get to the place I’m at. It’s solely the start”
The opposite West Boca signings introduced have been CB Jaydin Broadnax (Louisville), EDGE Demetrius Geathers (South Florida), DL Xavier Reid (Liberty), C/DT Chris Medina (Bethune-Cookman), OL DeCarlo Alvarez (Presbyterian), WR Kyle Andrews (West Georgia), FS/WR Tayegan Briskey (Air Power), DE/LB Grant Edmond (Wagner) and WR/TE Calerbe Hermane (Murray State).
Somerset’s Baker heads for UCF
Kaj Baker, an athlete from Somerset Academy in Pembroke Pines, is headed to UCF. He dedicated to the varsity in June after narrowing the record all the way down to the ultimate three faculties – UCF, Pittsburgh, and Virginia. He held 15 affords.
“It was the proper match for me offensively,” stated Baker, a standout observe and soccer participant. “ I really like coach (Scott) Frost’s imaginative and prescient for me as an offensive weapon,” Baker stated. “I might be enjoying operating again, huge receiver and returning kicks.
“My expectations on going to UCF is to play immediately as a freshman,” stated Baker, who completed the season with 1,022 yards speeding and added 516 yards receiving and 4 TDs this yr for the 4-7 Panthers. “That’s a part of the explanation I’m getting into January. It’s an ideal alternative for me to play proper now.”
— GARY CURRERI
Palm Seashore Central strikes
Palm Seashore Central linebacker Antoine Sharp signed his monetary assist bundle with West Virginia. He dedicated in June after taking his official go to. Sharp held 24 D1 affords and stated he’s anticipating to make a right away influence.
“Throughout the official go to, I felt like I used to be in the appropriate place,” stated Sharp, who completed the season with 100 tackles, together with 73 solo, 5 sacks, a fumble restoration and a cross defended. “It was not anybody factor, it was a mixture of the appropriate teaching workers, superb amenities and assist, and the tradition that West Virginia is creating underneath Coach (Wealthy Rodriguez).”
Cornerback Travis Jackson is staying near residence, selecting FAU over his different finalist Bethune Cookman. Jackson, who completed the yr with 37 tackles and two interceptions for the Broncos (6-5) this season, dedicated on November 29.
“I chosen FAU as a result of once I went on the go to it felt prefer it was the appropriate college for me and it simply felt like I belonged there,” Jackson stated.
STA with its normal bunch of signees
St. Thomas Aquinas quarterback Brady Palmer, stated he dedicated to Temple for quite a lot of causes, the primary one being the teaching workers on the college. He’s 10 of 12 for 97 yards and two scores for the six-time-defending-champ Raiders in restricted motion.
“I really like the imaginative and prescient that they’ve for this system, and I noticed myself becoming in completely with what they needed to perform,” stated Palmer. “I noticed it as a spot the place I felt at residence, and I do know I’ll discover a variety of success there sooner or later.”
Phillip Goodrich, a 6-0, 215-pound St. Thomas Aquinas linebacker dedicated to Military West Level on Nov. 18. Like many of the athletes that signed as we speak, he stated he felt the choice was proper after taking an official go to.
“I felt that call felt proper the second I stepped on campus,” stated Goodrich, who has 97 tackles, together with 4 sacks and an interception for the Raiders, who’ve gained 12 straight and are simply two wins from seven titles in a row.
“The historical past, the vitality, the surroundings, the brotherhood, the amenities – the whole lot hit completely different,” he stated. “The coaches didn’t simply speak about creating me as a participant, they confirmed me how they construct leaders and males of character.”
Mississippi State signee Dylan Steen, an offensive lineman, stated the chance to develop in his place, whereas enjoying within the SEC was simply too good to cross up.
“I anticipate to be coached up and developed and compete on the highest degree,” he defined. “I anticipate us to show it round within the close to future.”
Adam Lichtenstein contributed to this report.
