by Mike Finnerty (mike.finnerty@surewestsports.com)
Wednesday's National Letter of Intent signing day was a banner aftenoon for the Sacramento area, and SureWest Sports made its way around the greater Sacramento region covering seven signing events, for 11 schools, and upwards of 18 interviews.
We started at Del Oro, then went to Grant, Granite Bay, Jesuit, Oak Ridge, Roseville, and Cosumnes Oaks.
Before the on-camera interviews air throughout this month on the SureWest Sports Show, here are just some of the excerpts from Mike Finnerty's one-on-one interviews with football players on Wednesday before the big event in Elk Grove.
(Interviews Elk Grove area football players will be online Friday)
Shaq Thompson, Grant, 6'3", 220 lbs (Safety) - Washington
Recruiting process overall - "The process was good at some point, but then it was just getting to hectic for me and making me stressed. That's what happens when you are one of the top players you get all the coaches calling you and getting all the stress on you. Thing is you just really have to take your time."
After Tosh Lupoi left Cal for Washington - "A lot of coaches started calling when they heard Coach Lupoi left, but that didn't really effect me because I had already planned on going to Washington. It was in the back of my head."
Beside friendship with Lupoi and James Sample, other UW upsides - "Really, the atmosphere. It was a great atmosphere when I went there for the Cal game. Huskies fans get crazy, stadium gets loud, and that's what I really like."
Memorable athletic moments at any age - "My Grant moments. Playing with Vei Moala, Puka Lopa, Darryl Paulo, James Sample, and all the other Grant ex-players. It was a great experience my sophomore year to play varsity. It felt good.
Gavin Andrews, Granite Bay, 6'6", 340 lbs (offensive lineman) -Oregon State
Why Oregon State? - "I selected Oregon State back in June, this was after I was recovering from my knee injury from surgery. I was kind of in a defensive mode, just trying to find out where I fit in. I needed to find a school that can ultimately take care of me and give me a great eduction and give me a chance to play on the football field, which is what I really can't wait to do. Just picking OSU was one of those moments where this is the one, and all bets are on, and I can't wait to see how this turns out."
About the campus - "It is a really, really beautiful campus. Town is great, it's all about the school. The school is all together so you don't have to walk that far. People of the town are generous, great hospitality.
Memorable moments at Granite Bay - "I look back on the section title. Beating Pleasant Grove, placing 5th in State in wrestling."
What you are looking forward to at OSU - "It's duck hunting season there!"
Dylan Collie, Oak Ridge, 5'11", 175 lbs (receiver) - BYU
Signing day thoughts - "It's kind of like a dream come true, you can have all the talk in the world about it, but there is nothing more exciting than being able to actually sign and make that relationship even closer and realize I only have a few months left here before I move on with my life.
Memorable moment at Oak Ridge - "Probably the adversity in playing quarterback. It kind of brought the game to more of a realization instead of coming into your senior year coasting through and playing wide receiver, something I know and am extremely good at, but then having to switch it up and play quarterback kind of added a little difference, made me have to click it on, turn on my thinking cap, explore my athleticism a little bit, but it was fun and something I could take with me the rest of my life."
Is there pressure having the Collie name? - "There is plenty of pressure, but I don't think of it as a pressure that's a burden. I kind of put it in the back of my head. I'm blessed to have that opportunity, blessed to be in the name with the Collies and have a dad and two brothers that have been so successful. Because of them three, my game is at a whole other level and I can take it. People can say that I might not be able to fill the shoes of Austin, or won't be as good as everyone else, but I'll take that as motivation, learn from it, and do what I can to make me the best receiver I can."
Alex Bertrando, Del Oro, 6'3", 215 lbs (linebacker/tight end) - Nevada
About the process of selecting Nevada - "I'm so excited. I've been waiting for this since November, and I couldn't be more happier with my decision on Nevada. It was really nice. I went there over the summer for the senior day and I really liked all the facilities and everything they had to offer, so right when they offered me in November I had an early commit.
Memorable moments at Del Oro - "Definitely going to the State game, being on the field with all my friends, my time spent with the coaches. Since 6th grade year we have all been together, the core group of guys, it's fun accomplishing everything we accomplished here with winning two section titles, going to the State finals and doing it all with your friends and great coaches. I'm definitely going to miss my time at Del Oro and playing football here, but I'll have on to a new chapter of my life and excited to being a part of the "Pack".
Zac Cunha, Roseville, 6'3", 235 lbs (quarterback) - Minot State (North Dakota)
When did you decide on Minot State? - "I made the decision a couple nights ago. I was sitting down with my dad and a couple of coaches. Went up there with my dad last weekend, just loved it, loved the people, nice place, and I liked the facilities."
Thoughts on playing away from home - "I think it's cool going off to college going to somewhere that you are not used to, kind of out of your comfort zone, but then you get to grow as a person and not just an athlete."
Glad to have selection process over? - It's definitely a great feeling getting it over with. The calls were fun at first, but they get a little overwhelming, but it's done and set."
How proud is dad (Roseville head coach Larry Cunha) - "Very. I can see it in his eyes. We worked hard to get here together. I'm happy."
Memorable moments at Roseville High - "Definitely the very first day of practice with the varsity team. Way, way out of my comfort zone. Took a lot to get used to it, and then the last day as a senior, under control of the offense. Just those two days stick in my mind as the most memorable.
JT Frank, Jesuit, 6'3", 180 lbs (safety) - Holy Cross
Why Holy Cross? - "My recruiting process with Coach Rogers started after my junior season. Looking into it academically it was top four. Going out there over the summer for camps, I just fell in love with the school. Not only in football, three out of the last five years they won league, and academically they are top and I could find a job right away after there, so all those put together is why I chose Holy Cross.