Here's where South Bend area high school athletes signed Wednesday

A Balis and Lea will be working together once again.

Penn High School senior Jake Balis signed as a preferred walk-on to the Vanderbilt football program on collegiate National Signing Day Wednesday.

The Commadores are coached by Clark Lea, who worked alongside Jake’s father, Matt, on the Notre Dame football coaching staff for three years. Lea was the defensive coordinator for the Fighting Irish from 2018-20, while Matt Balis was the head strength coach.

More: On eve of fall camp, Notre Dame football performance director Matt Balis resigns

Jake Balis had 197 rushing attempts for 955 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, helping the Kingsmen win Northern Indiana Conference and sectional championships. He’s one of the strongest athletes at Penn, setting a school record with a combined 1,075 pounds lifted across the front squat, bench press and power clean movements.

Balis was one of several South Bend area athletes to sign collegiate letters in recent days, including 21 others from Penn. Here’s a look at others who will be playing sports at the next level:

From Penn High School

■ Austin Eysol, baseball, Trine University

■ Casey Finn, baseball, Adrian College

■ Tommy Harringer, baseball, Lincoln Trail College

■ Will Mickelson, cross country/track, Indiana Tech

■ Brandon Mueller, cross country/track, Indiana State

■ Mary Eubank, cross country/track, Indiana University

■ Ellie Stabnik, cross country/track, University of Tampa

■ Jill Pletcher, track and field, Bethel

■ Maverick Brown, football, Taylor University

■ Elijah Coker, football, Indiana State

■ Brandon Lynch, football, Indiana State

■ Gage Goralski, football, Butler

■ Jackson Griffith, football, Butler

■ Nolan McCullough, football, Dayton

■ Tommy Powlus, football, Notre Dame

■ Jack Yewchuk, golf, Eastern Illinois

■ Rylan Frazier, rugby, Western Michigan

■ Dougie Searles, rugby, Louisville

■ Abby Schrader, soccer, Lincoln Train College

■ Georgia Pogue, volleyball, Trine

■ Dylan Bennett, wrestling, Olivet College

From Elkhart High

■ Nathan Munson, football, Taylor

■ Tumarye Morris, football, St. Francis (Ind.)

■ Landon Fisher, football, Manchester

■ Darreon Newson, football, Indianapolis

More: Elkhart's Mariyon Dye sees football recruiting take off

From Northridge High

■ Dylan Ritchie, football, Illinois State

■ Brock Thompson, football, Indiana Wesleyan

■ Cohen Lantz, football, Central Michigan

More: State leaders, record breakers headline 2023 South Bend Tribune All-Area Football team

From Goshen High

■ Drew Elliott, football, Ball State

More: 'Dream scenario' leads to Saint Joe alum Hecklinski taking over Goshen football program

From New Prairie High

■ Matthew Sorce, football, St. Francis (Ill.)

From Jimtown High

■ Bishop Williams, football, Indianapolis

From Concord High

■ Kamrin Lewis, football, St. Francis (Ind.)

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Here's where South Bend area high school athletes signed Wednesday