By Tony Ciniglio, The Daily Breeze
POSTED: 02/05/14, 11:51 PM PST | UPDATED: 47 MINS AGO
Adoree’ Jackson had kept his recruiting decision close to the vest, so the five-star Serra recruit was going to savor his announcement.
Like a slow reveal.
Appearing live on ESPN on Wednesday to announce his college choice, Jackson decided to have some fun.
First he grabbed a Gatorade bottle out of his bag. Then a Serra championship ring. Then another Serra championship ring. Next came a bright orange track shoe.
Finally Jackson donned a USC cap to send the entire Serra student body into hysterics to highlight a memorable Signing Day.
“I had a dream last night that I was sitting here ready to make my decision and I put on the USC hat,” Jackson said. “When I woke up, it felt right. God put that vision in my head, and I wanted to follow that.”
Jackson’s signing is a coup for new USC coach Steve Sarkisian, who also landed St. John Bosco stud lineman Damien Mama and Long Beach Poly star Juju Smith, among others.
Jackson led a group of eight Serra players who signed national letters-of-intent, but Serra coach Scott Altenberg said Jackson’s case was unique.
“It was the craziest recruitment I’ve ever been part of,” Altenberg said.
Jackson said he had narrowed his final list down to USC, UCLA, LSU and Florida.
Flanked by his father Christopher, his mother Vianca and his sister Lekisch, Jackson said he finally felt at ease with his decision to play for USC. He ended every media interview with the words, “Fight on” and is following in the footsteps of Serra greats Robert Woods, Marqise Lee and George Farmer.
“The burden’s off,” Jackson said. “Growing up playing football, I always liked USC and Reggie Bush. That’s who I wanted to be like. I’m going to try to put the program back on the map like he did.”
Jackson is also a highly sought after track and field athlete, having won the state title in the long jump as a sophomore with a massive 25-foot jump. He said he plans to compete at USC as well.
“I’m very comfortable with the USC track program — they produce Olympians,” said Jackson, who is eyeing the 2016 Olympics.
Jackson’s decision delighted Serra quarterback Jalen Greene and defensive lineman Olajuwon Tucker, who are also USC recruits.
“It means I get to play with another of my brothers — I’m glad he’s coming in,” said Greene, who has already graduated from Serra and enrolled at USC but returned for the ceremony.
“I’m very excited — we have nowhere to go but the top,” Tucker added.
Serra receiver Jordan Lasley and linebacker Dwight Williams also expressed happiness for Jackson, even if that means they will be rivals, since they signed to play for UCLA.
“We tried to work on Adoree’ but we did not want to alter his process,” Lasley said. “We wanted him to make his own decision and feel good about it.”
Serra defensive back Glen Ihenacho (Oregon), linebacker Malachi Mageo (Hawaii) and lineman Sam Akoteu (Fresno State) also signed during a ceremony that included highlight videos in front of the entire student body.
“There’s a lot of tension off my shoulders,” Ihenacho said. “Now I can focus on getting ready for the next level.”
Narbonne also held its annual signing day ceremony, sending three players to Division I schools.
Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu also signed with USC, calling it his “dream school.”
Lineman Owen “Boogie” Roberts and defensive back Khalil Rashaad-Brown both signed with San Jose State, having stayed together since middle school.
Of course, the charismatic Roberts put on a show, taking off his sweatshirt to unveil a Boise State sweatshirt much to the surprise of the onlookers and his mother Minnie, before revealing he was indeed going to San Jose State.
“It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t give the crowd a show,” Roberts said. “I used to always watch ESPNU when I was younger, and I said, ‘dang, I hope I can be there one day.’
“San Jose was close to home and it felt like the right fit when I took my visit. The coaches liked me and kept it real with me, too.”
Rashaad-Brown learned a hard lesson in recruiting. He originally had offers from SanDiego State, UTEP, Colorado State, San Jose State, Old Dominion and New Mexico. But when he was non-committal, the schools found other recruits and pulled Rashaad-Brown’s scholarship.
Then San Jose State came back into the picture last week.
“Last weekend, I had no trips and no one was calling me, then San Jose came back,” Rashaad-Brown said. “I did great on the trip and loved it there, so I committed.”
Carson had two signings: lineman Bobby Johnson signed with Fresno State and Don’Yeh Patterson signed with Hawaii.
“The coaches put together a feast, and I was excited everyone was there and that I was going to the next level and continue my education,” Johnson said.
However, Patterson was considered a “second wave” recruit and was not part of Carson’s celebration. It turned into high tide later in the afternoon when Hawaii came calling.
“It was about being patient and waiting,” Patterson said. “I was happy for everyone else. I knew I had an opportunity to play in college. I was kind of waiting on Hawaii. I have family there, and it’s a big opportunity for me.”
Mira Costa also had a pair of football signees at its signing ceremony.
Mira Costa end Jahlani Tavai signed with Hawaii, and kicker/punter Casey Sublette signed with the Naval Academy. Sublette stuck with Navy despite a big effort from the Air Force for his services. Tavai picked Hawaii over Cal, New Mexico and a few other schools.
“I liked the campus when I went out there for my official visit, and I have family out there, so it’s just like being at home,” Tavai said.
“Gotta love it.”
Tavai said he was relieved to sign.
“It feels good, I can let everyone know I’m going to Hawaii now,” Tavai said.
Inglewood’s Zaire Andre signed with Washington State while surrounded by family members and peers in his school cafeteria. Andre became emotional as he received praise from school staff as well as his father, Keith.
“It took me back to when I first set my dreams and today was the day that it all happened,” Andre said.
Andre was most impressed with Washington State’s pass-first offense, as well as the opportunity to leave California and grow as a person.
“It gives me the chance to learn more about myself, being in a different state,” he said.
Over at El Segundo, football star Jamie Stewart made it official with Harvard.
Stewart came into the season with great promise and more than fulfilled it, finishing with 61 catches for 1,339 yards and 18 touchdowns, and 2,590 all-purpose yards to lead El Segundo to its first CIF football final.
“It’s the culmination of the whole process fulfilled,” Stewart said “It’s nice.”
Stewart is also a star academically, and is looking forward to both football and academics.
“I would be remiss to say I’m not looking forward to the academics, however I’m super-excited for football, and the opportunity to acclimate myself to a new environment, succeed in new scenarios and really envelope myself in the Harvard community,” Stewart said.
Bishop Montgomery quarterback Louis Soto signed with the University of San Diego, which was the first school to offer him. Soto fell in love with the campus and how the program made him feel like he was home.
“Everyone is a family there and it’s honestly one of the nicest campuses I’ve been on.” Soto said.
Evan Barnes and Dave Thorpe contributed to this story.
POSTED: 02/05/14, 11:51 PM PST | UPDATED: 47 MINS AGO
Adoree’ Jackson had kept his recruiting decision close to the vest, so the five-star Serra recruit was going to savor his announcement.
Like a slow reveal.
Appearing live on ESPN on Wednesday to announce his college choice, Jackson decided to have some fun.
First he grabbed a Gatorade bottle out of his bag. Then a Serra championship ring. Then another Serra championship ring. Next came a bright orange track shoe.
Finally Jackson donned a USC cap to send the entire Serra student body into hysterics to highlight a memorable Signing Day.
“I had a dream last night that I was sitting here ready to make my decision and I put on the USC hat,” Jackson said. “When I woke up, it felt right. God put that vision in my head, and I wanted to follow that.”
Jackson’s signing is a coup for new USC coach Steve Sarkisian, who also landed St. John Bosco stud lineman Damien Mama and Long Beach Poly star Juju Smith, among others.
Jackson led a group of eight Serra players who signed national letters-of-intent, but Serra coach Scott Altenberg said Jackson’s case was unique.
“It was the craziest recruitment I’ve ever been part of,” Altenberg said.
Jackson said he had narrowed his final list down to USC, UCLA, LSU and Florida.
Flanked by his father Christopher, his mother Vianca and his sister Lekisch, Jackson said he finally felt at ease with his decision to play for USC. He ended every media interview with the words, “Fight on” and is following in the footsteps of Serra greats Robert Woods, Marqise Lee and George Farmer.
“The burden’s off,” Jackson said. “Growing up playing football, I always liked USC and Reggie Bush. That’s who I wanted to be like. I’m going to try to put the program back on the map like he did.”
Jackson is also a highly sought after track and field athlete, having won the state title in the long jump as a sophomore with a massive 25-foot jump. He said he plans to compete at USC as well.
“I’m very comfortable with the USC track program — they produce Olympians,” said Jackson, who is eyeing the 2016 Olympics.
Jackson’s decision delighted Serra quarterback Jalen Greene and defensive lineman Olajuwon Tucker, who are also USC recruits.
“It means I get to play with another of my brothers — I’m glad he’s coming in,” said Greene, who has already graduated from Serra and enrolled at USC but returned for the ceremony.
“I’m very excited — we have nowhere to go but the top,” Tucker added.
Serra receiver Jordan Lasley and linebacker Dwight Williams also expressed happiness for Jackson, even if that means they will be rivals, since they signed to play for UCLA.
“We tried to work on Adoree’ but we did not want to alter his process,” Lasley said. “We wanted him to make his own decision and feel good about it.”
Serra defensive back Glen Ihenacho (Oregon), linebacker Malachi Mageo (Hawaii) and lineman Sam Akoteu (Fresno State) also signed during a ceremony that included highlight videos in front of the entire student body.
“There’s a lot of tension off my shoulders,” Ihenacho said. “Now I can focus on getting ready for the next level.”
Narbonne also held its annual signing day ceremony, sending three players to Division I schools.
Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu also signed with USC, calling it his “dream school.”
Lineman Owen “Boogie” Roberts and defensive back Khalil Rashaad-Brown both signed with San Jose State, having stayed together since middle school.
Of course, the charismatic Roberts put on a show, taking off his sweatshirt to unveil a Boise State sweatshirt much to the surprise of the onlookers and his mother Minnie, before revealing he was indeed going to San Jose State.
“It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t give the crowd a show,” Roberts said. “I used to always watch ESPNU when I was younger, and I said, ‘dang, I hope I can be there one day.’
“San Jose was close to home and it felt like the right fit when I took my visit. The coaches liked me and kept it real with me, too.”
Rashaad-Brown learned a hard lesson in recruiting. He originally had offers from SanDiego State, UTEP, Colorado State, San Jose State, Old Dominion and New Mexico. But when he was non-committal, the schools found other recruits and pulled Rashaad-Brown’s scholarship.
Then San Jose State came back into the picture last week.
“Last weekend, I had no trips and no one was calling me, then San Jose came back,” Rashaad-Brown said. “I did great on the trip and loved it there, so I committed.”
Carson had two signings: lineman Bobby Johnson signed with Fresno State and Don’Yeh Patterson signed with Hawaii.
“The coaches put together a feast, and I was excited everyone was there and that I was going to the next level and continue my education,” Johnson said.
However, Patterson was considered a “second wave” recruit and was not part of Carson’s celebration. It turned into high tide later in the afternoon when Hawaii came calling.
“It was about being patient and waiting,” Patterson said. “I was happy for everyone else. I knew I had an opportunity to play in college. I was kind of waiting on Hawaii. I have family there, and it’s a big opportunity for me.”
Mira Costa also had a pair of football signees at its signing ceremony.
Mira Costa end Jahlani Tavai signed with Hawaii, and kicker/punter Casey Sublette signed with the Naval Academy. Sublette stuck with Navy despite a big effort from the Air Force for his services. Tavai picked Hawaii over Cal, New Mexico and a few other schools.
“I liked the campus when I went out there for my official visit, and I have family out there, so it’s just like being at home,” Tavai said.
“Gotta love it.”
Tavai said he was relieved to sign.
“It feels good, I can let everyone know I’m going to Hawaii now,” Tavai said.
Inglewood’s Zaire Andre signed with Washington State while surrounded by family members and peers in his school cafeteria. Andre became emotional as he received praise from school staff as well as his father, Keith.
“It took me back to when I first set my dreams and today was the day that it all happened,” Andre said.
Andre was most impressed with Washington State’s pass-first offense, as well as the opportunity to leave California and grow as a person.
“It gives me the chance to learn more about myself, being in a different state,” he said.
Over at El Segundo, football star Jamie Stewart made it official with Harvard.
Stewart came into the season with great promise and more than fulfilled it, finishing with 61 catches for 1,339 yards and 18 touchdowns, and 2,590 all-purpose yards to lead El Segundo to its first CIF football final.
“It’s the culmination of the whole process fulfilled,” Stewart said “It’s nice.”
Stewart is also a star academically, and is looking forward to both football and academics.
“I would be remiss to say I’m not looking forward to the academics, however I’m super-excited for football, and the opportunity to acclimate myself to a new environment, succeed in new scenarios and really envelope myself in the Harvard community,” Stewart said.
Bishop Montgomery quarterback Louis Soto signed with the University of San Diego, which was the first school to offer him. Soto fell in love with the campus and how the program made him feel like he was home.
“Everyone is a family there and it’s honestly one of the nicest campuses I’ve been on.” Soto said.
Evan Barnes and Dave Thorpe contributed to this story.