National Signing Day: Texas A&M-Kingsville inks multiple local players
Texas A&M-Kingsville has always worked to have players from the Coastal Bend on its football roster, and after Wednesday's national signing day that roster will be bolstered with some more local talent.
The Javelinas officially inked six area players on Wednesday with two from Miller, and one each from Ingleside, Bishop, Veterans Memorial and Flour Bluff.
Miller running back Ethan Greenwood, a physical, between-the-tackles runner, and a three-year starter for the Bucs, said he likes the offensive scheme employed by the Javelinas.
"I'm from Kingsville," Greenwood said. "I like the way they run their offense and their coaching staff and it felt like it was the best fit for me.
"I feel like my game can translate to the college level. I'm going to work hard and grind everyday and carry on what we did here to the next level."
Greenwood's teammate, lanky receiver Datron Denmon also committed to the Javelinas after one season with the Bucs, where he was a consistent big play threat in Miller's explosive offense.
Denmon said he liked the proximity of the school, plus wants to be a part of rebuilding a winning culture in the Javelinas program.
Miller coach Justen Evans said Greenwood was always reliable for the Bucs and that Denmon still has room to fill out his 6-foot-4 frame and that both players have high ceilings.
Flour Bluff receiver Wyatt Elwood and Veterans Memorial defensive end Josiah Lewis, each All-District first team selections in Class 5A, also signed with Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Elwood caught 14 touchdowns for Flour Bluff despite missing several games due to injury and Lewis tallied 55 tackles and five sacks for the stout Eagles defense.
Bishop's Jace Wilson and Ingleside's Eric Edison also inked with the Javelinas on Wednesday. Edison will also compete in track and field at A&M-Kingsville as he qualified for the UIL state meet in 2022 in the discus.
Edison said he had been talking to the Javelinas track coaches for a while and added last week, the football coaches made an offer to also play football at the school. Edison said he also had interest from schools such as Concordia, Sul Ross State and Texas Lutheran.
"It was close to home, and it's a good school for football," Edison said prior to his signing ceremony on Wednesday at Ingleside High School. "It means a lot. I get to represent close to home, so a lot of people if they did want to come, my whole family they can come and watch."
Moody's Uribe makes history
MaKenzie Uribe made some history on Wednesday afternoon when signed with Iowa Lakes Community College to play volleyball. Uribe is believed to be the first volleyball player from Moody to sign to play in college.
Uribe finished her career with more than 1,000 digs and was a first-team All-South Zone selection on the District 29-5A team this past season.
Local track athletes sign with Division I schools
Two of the state's best distance runners joined one of the Coastal Bend's top pole vaulters in signing to compete in track & field at Division I schools on Wednesday.
Sinton's Zerah Martinez inked with Sam Houston State after qualifying for the UIL state meet in cross country and track. Martinez finished fourth in Class 4A at the state cross country meet in November.
Freer's Eleana Campos signed with Lamar after finishing sixth at the state meet and winning Region IV-2A in cross country.
Campos medaled at state as a junior and senior.
Flour Bluff's Sara Candler, a regional qualifier in pole vault in Class 5A, signed with UIW of the Southland Conference. She followed Veterans Memorial thrower Jordyn Gulbronson who committed to the Cardinals on Jan. 19.
FOOTBALL
Ray Perez, Sinton, North American
Eric Edison, Ingleside, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Kaden Nelson, Ingleside, Hardin-Simmons
Seth Morgan, Ingleside, Sul Ross State
Elijah Bell, Ingleside, Oklahoma Panhandle State
Lonnie Adkism, Miller, Sam Houston State*
Datron Denmon, Miller, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Jayden Moreno, Miller, North American
Ethan Greenwood, Miller, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Nicholas Nunez, Miller, McMurry
Brandon Guerrero, Miller, McMurry
Wyatt Elwood, Flour Bluff, Texas A&M-Kingsville
J.R. Moore, Refugio, Hardin-Simmons
Elijah Huff, West Oso, Midwestern State
Jace Wilson, Bishop, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Josiah Lewis, Veterans Memorial, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Track & Field
Zerah Martinez, Sinton, Sam Houston State
Leslie Pena, Ingleside, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Sara Candler, Flour Bluff, UIW
Eleana Campos, Freer, Lamar
Softball
Audri Castillo, Ingleside, St. Edwards
Isabell Perez, Flour Bluff, Texas A&M-International
Kaitlynn Frakes, Flour Bluff, Sul Ross State
Emily Mayo, Flour Bluff, Midland College
Sadie Flores, Bishop, Navarro College
Ava Aleman, IWA, University of Dallas
Kaylie Marroquin, IWA, Kilgore College
Mercedes Salinas, IWA, Schreiner University
Cheer
MaKayla Ramirez, Ingleside, East Texas Baptist
Baseball
Jacob Trevino, King, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Kaleb Castillo, King, Western Arizona
Alexander Everett, Flour Bluff, Hill College
Brian Buchanan, Bishop, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Aiden Steele, Bishop, Centenary College
Volleyball
Makenzie Uribe, Moody, Iowa Lakes CC
Harlie Gallaspy, Flour Bluff, Schreiner University
Soccer
Madisyn Barganski, Flour Bluff, Trinity University
*Signed during the December signing period
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: National Signing Day: A&M-Kingsville inks multiple local players
