SportzBuzz - February 2019 | The Buzz Magazines

By Todd Freed, Staff writer | February 1, 2019

Click the Buzz Me button to receive email notifications when this writer publishes a new article or a new article in this column is published.

SIGNED AND SEALED St. John’s Mavericks senior wide receiver Genson Hooper-Price, here with his mom Carolyn Hooper, signed his national letter of intent to play football this fall at Northwestern University.

The first day of the NCCA football early-signing period took on added significance for the St. John’s Mavericks, with wide receiver Genson Hooper-Price signing to play at Northwestern University. Hooper-Price is the first St. John’s football player in 28 seasons to sign to play at the highest level (FBS/Division 1) of collegiate football.

“It’s really great for our program,” said St. John’s football coach Steve Gleaves. “A lot of people assume you have to play for a school with bigger exposure to get noticed, but Genson proved that if you’re good enough and work hard enough, you’re going to have some good choices.”

Hooper-Price’s signing is even more notable in that he hadn’t played much organized football before arriving at St. John’s his freshman season. “Genson was really a big track guy, with great success in AAU track,” said Gleaves. “He’s broken a lot of our school records in track and field, so the thing that’s most impressed me is how he’s matured and worked on the things he’d never really done before.”

ALOHA Kinkaid Falcons quarterback Zach Daniel signed with the University of Hawaii on the first day of the NCAA football early signing period. Daniel helped lead The Kinkaid School to the SPC 4A championship this past season. (Photo: Kevin Long/Gulf Coast Shots)

The Kinkaid Falcons will be represented at the highest level of college football by quarterback Zach Daniel, who signed to play for the University of Hawaii on the first day of the early-signing period. “Zach attended a quarterback camp at USC last summer and caught the eye of the Hawaii coaches,” said Falcons head football coach Nathan Larned. “He’s a talented player who can make virtually any throw.”

In addition to Daniel, at least four other Falcons will play football in college, with Nick Limon signing with the University of Chicago, plus running back Josh Williams, as well as defensive linemen Ameer Mustafa and Kami Nader, also set to sign their official commitment letters on National Signing Day.

The Lamar Texans continued their rich tradition of producing major collegiate football talent, with defensive lineman Kenneth Dotson (North Texas), defensive back Alex Hogan (Texas Tech) and wide receiver Zane Knipe (Rice) signing their official commitment letters on Day 1 of the early-signing period. In addition, Lamar head coach Mike Lindsey expects another four of his players to sign with major collegiate programs and several other players to sign to Division 2 schools. “We’ve been blessed to have great kids to come out of our program year in and year out,” said Lindsey.

FUTURE OWL Lamar Texans senior wide receiver Zane Knipe, seen here scoring a touchdown against Westside this season, signed his national letter of intent to play college football at Rice University. (Photo: Elaine Matte Mut)

As for this year’s crop, Lindsey had high praise for the early signees. “Kenneth is a great kid and a big player (6’4”, 250 pounds) who can really run. He also had great grades with a 4.0 GPA. Zane is extremely fast, running a blazing 4.38 at the Rice football camp. Plus, he was named to the Academic All-State Elite Team, which is extremely prestigious. As for Alex, he was probably our most recruited player, with about a dozen offers before selecting Texas Tech.”

There was loads of suspense at St. Pius X on the first day of the early national signing period as standout wide receiver Jalen “Bobbie” Curry announced his collegiate choice to play for the University of Arizona. Curry, who last season broke the state record for most receptions in a single game, will join teammate and heralded quarterback Grant Gunnell at Arizona. “The opportunity to play with Grant was definitely a big part of my decision,” said Curry.

In addition to the signings of Curry and Gunnell, standout wide receiver Chase Lane made good on his early commitment to play for Texas A&M, while Panthers receiver Kaleb Ducros signed with the University of the Incarnate Word.

The NCAA early-signing period also included an impressive showing by Strake Jesuit, with a trio of Crusaders signing their letters of intent to play for major college football programs. Running back Michael Wiley signed with the Arizona Wildcats, tight end Thomas Gordon will play for Northwestern, and wide receiver Nathaniel Beal is heading to the University of Virginia.

“Those are three great character guys with bright futures ahead of them,” said Strake Jesuit head football coach Klay Kubiak. “They obviously were a huge part of the success we had as a team this past season. I couldn’t be happier for them.” Kubiak said he expected a couple more of his players to sign collegiate letters on National Signing Day, including offensive lineman Grant Bordelon, who is heading to MIT.

Editor’s note: Todd Freed is the Emmy Award-winning co-host and producer of the KUBE SportsZone, which airs Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. on Channel 57-KUBE. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email [email protected].