(FOX 17) — While the division one early signing period in December and the transfer portal have changed the traditional national signing day in February, a large number of West Michigan high school seniors signed their national letter of intent to play college football.
At Fruitport, three signed on Wednesday, including running back Paschal Jolman who ran for 2,224 and 25 touchdowns last fall helping the Trojans to their first conference title since 2012.
"It's crazy because last year I'd seen a few of my friends, guys that graduated, sign and I didn't really think anything too much of it until I got to this point and it's like one of the biggest achievements of my life," Paschal said. "It's bigger than what it looks like. The whole community is out here - different teams: basketball team, track coaches, football coaches, wrestling coaches, just everybody coming together for one just to celebrate one's success."
At Caledonia, quarterback Mason McKenzie inked his NLI to play at Saginaw Valley State after leading the Fighting Scots to the division one state championship game back in November accounting for 35 touchdowns, 20 through the air.
"It's awesome," McKenzie said. "It is the thing I have dreamt about my whole life. It is really just a special moment for me and these guys to go on and do something that not a lot people get the opportunity to do."
Others area football players that signed are below, these are the players we are aware, we will add more as we get them.
- XaVior Tyus, Portage Northern - Wayne State
- Dahmir Farnum, Mona Shores - Wayne State
- Ke'Waun Farnum, Mona Shores - Wayne State
- Jaiden Acker, Kenowa Hills - Wayne State
- Graycen Shepherd, Whitehall - Northern Michigan
- Mason Dykstra, Hudsonville - Ferris State
- Keymarion Gibson, Ottawa Hills - Ferris State
- Alex McLean, Rockford - GVSU
National Signing Day 2023 - Bernie Varnesdeel, West Catholic - Davenport
- Mac VandenHout, Rockford - Davenport
- Carlo Aybar, Caledonia - Davenport
- Nate Cobbs, East Kentwood, Davenport
- Kevin Underwood, Wyoming - Davenport
- Thys Segard, Rockford - Davenport
- Josh Kriekaard, Cedar Springs - Northwood
- Kaiden Bell, Fruitport - SVSU
- Hunter Schichtel, Byron Center - Taylor
- Collin Jolman, Fruitport - Lawrence Tech
- Joey Pitsch, Rockford - Lawrence Tech
- Trent Baugh, Hopkins - Concordia
- Eli VanderVeen, Hudsonville - Hope
- Brody Thompson, Rockford - Hope
- Jonathan Rohan-Blanton, Rockford - Hope
- Austin Harvey, Rockford - Hope
- Caleb Clinger, West Catholic - Hope
- Jaiden Altgilbers, Whitehall - Hope
- Evan Graham, Caledonia - Hope
- Kaden Dehorn, Caledonia - Hope
- Luke Vogeler, Caledonia - Colgate
- Kaden Pulaski, Mona Shores - Trine
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