National Signing Day: Millwood's Rickey Hunt Jr. 'getting to my dreams quicker' at Ohio
Rickey Hunt Jr. made his commitment in November, but another decision followed.
Would he stay at Millwood for one more basketball season or enroll early at Ohio for a head start on his college football career? The senior running back had to weigh his options, and he said the choice wasn’t easy.
But after discussions with his parents and a brief talk with Millwood football coach Darwin Franklin, he knew what he wanted to do. Hunt, who signed with Ohio on Wednesday, is enrolling in college for the spring semester.
“(I’m) really just getting to the process, getting to my dreams quicker,” Hunt said. “Just getting the college atmosphere.”
With family surrounding him, Hunt reiterated his choice during his signing ceremony in Millwood’s multi-sport facility. Afterward, his father proudly smiled as he reflected on his son’s accomplishments.
Hunt is a third-generation college football player, and he’s the first to leave the state and sign with a Division I program.
More:How Community Christian's Bai Jobe beat the odds to become Michigan State football signee
Highlights pic.twitter.com/eXYRM5Q63x
— Ohio Football (@OhioFootball) December 21, 2022
This fall, Hunt narrowed his options to Ohio, Buffalo and South Dakota State. Although he and his family had never been to the state of Ohio before they went on his visit, they enjoyed the scenery and campus environment.
“It’s a very family-oriented community and campus, and I love when the head coach is so involved with the kids’ academics as well as the football side of it,” his father said. “He’s very concerned to make sure that they’re getting their degree, staying on task to graduate on time, also receive a master’s as well. Those were some of the most selling points of our visit, as well as the program within itself.”
Hunt, who is considering studying music or athletic administration, was a basketball star at Millwood. But he already has a state title in hoops — he played a major role in the Falcons’ championship win in the spring.
Now, it’s time for him to focus on football at the next level.
“This is what it’s about,” Franklin said. “This is the best day of the year for us. He gets to go and fulfill his dreams that he wanted to, not having to pay for school, he’s already got college credits. It’s just a good day for him and his family and the community.”
Edmond Santa Fe's Jonathan Ashford signs with Air Force
One scene from Jonathan Ashford’s college visit made an especially strong impression on him.
The Edmond Santa Fe offensive linemen was one of several football recruits at Air Force, and coach Troy Calhoun invited the group to his house for dinner. As the recruits gathered around a campfire and talked, Ashford realized he was in the right place.
“I knew on that visit that it was time,” Ashford said.
Ashford signed his national letter of intent Wednesday with Air Force, but he had been set on joining the Falcons much earlier. Ashford, who committed in May, said he loved the family-like atmosphere. And he already knows several future teammates from Oklahoma, including Keegan Bass of Mustang and Easton Rogers of Tulsa Lincoln Christian.
“It’s so exciting,” Ashford said. “I’ve been playing high school football for four years, dreaming of this moment, and I finally got to do it.”
Colorado’s quick recruiting push with Coach Prime wins over Taje McCoy
Nichole McCoy wondered if it was a prank call.
The person on the other line was saying Deion Sanders wanted her son to visit Colorado the next day. Little time had passed since Sanders accepted the head coaching job with the Buffaloes. Was this a legitimate recruiting push?
To her surprise, it was. So, she and her son, Putnam City edge rusher Taje McCoy, drove to Colorado on a Friday for the visit.
Taje didn’t need much time to realize it was the program for him.
“It was a big moment because this was (Sanders’) first week in,” Taje said. “For me to be one of the first people out there, that just meant a lot, and I knew he wanted me and he thought I was special.”
After announcing his commitment with a first-person story in The Oklahoman on Dec. 12, McCoy had a celebratory ceremony at school the next day. Then on Wednesday, he officially became a Colorado signee. McCoy, whose other offers included Oklahoma State and Vanderbilt, had a standout senior year at Putnam City, setting a school record with 17 sacks.
Nichole said she’s proud of her youngest son every day, and she didn’t mind making the spontaneous trip to Colorado. They were setting the stage for his future.
“For this right here, something like this, anything he said, I would have made it happen,” Nichole said. “Anything, because he works so hard.”
More:The Oklahoman's Super 30: Taje McCoy 'a specimen' on Putnam City's defensive line
Choctaw's Steele Wasel, Jax Smith continue careers together at Akron
Jax Smith remembers the first touchdown pass he caught from Steele Wasel.
Wasel stood at midfield and launched the football to Smith, who grabbed it near the 35-yard line.
Then the play took a wild turn.
“I turned around and I fumbled the ball, and it bounced right back into my hand and I ended up scoring,” Smith said, laughing. “I think there’s a video of it somewhere.”
Smith and Wasel started playing football together at age 6. Over the years, they have strengthened their connection, most recently advancing to the Class 6A-II state finals as seniors.
And the longtime teammates are sticking together for college. Wasel signed with Akron on Wednesday, and Smith is joining the team as a preferred walk-on.
“It’s super-cool,” Choctaw coach Jake Corbin said. “They’ve always been (the) No. 7 to No. 8 connection for a long time, and it’s just cool to see that continue. My coaching staff are big Akron fans now. We’ll have to get a bunch of Akron gear, and hopefully we’ll check out a game. I know that we’ll be finding a way to find the game on TV on Saturdays.”
Wasel received his offer from the Zips before he began his senior season. He said he didn’t want to influence Smith’s decision too much, but he’s thrilled with how it turned out. Both are enrolling early for the spring semester and starting college as roommates.
“It’s just really a dream come true,” Wasel said. “Not a lot of people get a chance to do (this), and I definitely appreciate it.”
Wasel and Smith were two of three Choctaw athletes recognized at last week’s ceremony. Offensive lineman Gabe Gaines is signing with Lindenwood in Missouri.
More:Why some Oklahoma high schools are hosting signing ceremonies early
Extra points
• Micah Tease, a star receiver from Tulsa Booker T. Washington, flipped his commitment from Arkansas to Texas A&M. He signed with the Aggies on Wednesday.
• Grove standout Emmanuel Crawford announced he'll play at Arkansas. Before Wednesday, the senior running back hadn’t made a commitment. Then he tweeted a graphic with logos from several schools, including Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Central Oklahoma, before announcing he had chosen the Razorbacks. Crawford rushed for more than 2,000 yards this season.
• Ardmore linebacker Eric Fields committed and signed with Nebraska on Wednesday.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: National Signing Day: Millwood's Rickey Hunt Jr. enrolls early at Ohio
