National Signing Day: What schools did these 14 Emerald Coast-area athletes choose?

Another season, another set of college signings for high school athletes from the Fort Walton Beach area.

Here is the latest crop of local student-athletes who celebrated the 2024 spring National Signing Day by etching their futures for their respective schools.

'We dominate in the air': How Niceville soccer's physicality fuels hottest defense

State title or bust: Niceville boys soccer makes sure its expectations are known

Jonathan Boyd, Choctaw, Hutchinson Community College football

The Daily News All-Area star played running back and defensive back for the region championship-qualifying Big Green, posting 59 tackles, five tackles for loss, four INTs, two blocked punts, two pass deflections and a forced fumble.

Caden Bridgeman, Niceville, Florida A&M University football

The All-Area wide receiver came out of nowhere to lead one of the area's best wide receiver corps, amassing 34 catches for 527 yards and five touchdowns to help lead the Eagles to the Sweet 16.

Fletch Crumbaugh, Niceville, University of West Florida swimming

Crumbaugh finished second in the Okaloosa County meet, won district titles in the 100-yard freestyle and 100 breaststroke and was fourth at state in the breaststroke and sixth in the free.

Kevin Downing, Niceville, Florida International University track and field

Downing is an All-Area defensive lineman who has big hopes this year throwing the shot put after finishing third at districts, eighth at regionals and 10th at state as a junior.

Maddax Fayard, Niceville, Army West Point football

A year after topping 1,000 receiving yards, the senior owned his role in the heavy package with 390 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while hauling in 54 receptions for 488 yards and six scores. He finished with 1,160 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Katie Finkler, Niceville, SUNY Farmingdale soccer

The senior has helped the Eagles (14-2-4) win a District 2-6A title and advance to regionals, where they are the No. 2 seed ahead of Tuesday's Region 1-6A matchup with seventh-seeded Springstead at 5 p.m. at Twin Oaks Soccer Complex.

Airiana Jerz, Niceville, New College of Florida soccer

The senior has seven goals and three assists for the Eagles, who just won a district crown and are making a run at state as the No. 2 seed in Region 1-6A.

Isaiah Johnson, Choctaw, Western Carolina football

No one thought Choctaw could replace current Kansas State star Jayce Brown at wideout. Enter Johnson, who was unguardable all season en route to posting 1,039 receiving yards, 23.6 yards per catch and 15 touchdowns. He was named Daily News All-Area Large Schools Offensive Newcomer of the Year.

Layla Medlock, Choctaw, St. Johns River State College volleyball

Medlock delivered 96 digs and 22 aces in her swan song for the Big Green, who finished 18-9 and won a district title.

Kamryn Neely, Niceville, Christian Brothers University softball

Neely led the Eagles as a junior with a .411 batting average, 30 hits, nine extra-bast hits, three home runs and 23 RBIs to go along with 19 runs.

Lucy Raines, Choctaw, St. Petersburg College volleyball

The senior delivered a team-best 261 kills, 242 digs and 41 aces and was the focal point of the serve-receiver for the Big Green, who finished 18-9 and won a district crown.

Cole Tabb, Stanford University football

The Stanford-bound reigning defensive POY will go down as the greatest Big Green back, with the records (single season, single game and career rushing) to boot. In three years as a starter, Tabb rushed for 5,497 yards and posted 66 touchdowns. In 2021, he flexed with 1,264 rushing yards, 369 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. In 2022, he posted 2,407 rushing yards, 346 receiving yards and 26 scores to nab 3S USA Today Player of the Year and Daily News Offensive Player of the Year. In his swansong for the region finals-qualifying Big Green, despite missing three games, he posted 1,826 rushing yard and scored 19 times to defend his Daily News POY award.

MJ Toth, Niceville, Wallace State Community College softball

Toth had 13 hits, nine runs and two RBIs as a junior for the 12-12 Eagles.

Isaac Thomas, Air Force Academy football

The Crestview transfer delivered 534 yards and five touchdowns in his swan song for the Big Green, who advanced to the region finals for the second straight year.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: National Signing Day decisions for Fort Walton Beach-area athletes