Signing Day stops: Across the Valley, high school football seniors celebrate future

Crisscrossing the Valley on a rainy college football Signing Day Wednesday. First stop: Glendale Apollo High School at 7:30 a.m.

Running back Adam Mohammed and offensive linemen Matthew Lado and Michael Watkins all signed to play at Arizona. Not only that, all three are finishing finals this week, so they will be able to go to Tucson as early enrollees in January.

It was particularly emotional for Mohammed, whose father died when he was 8. He leaned on his mother and big brothers to carry him through life. As he stood on the podium and thanked so many influential people in his life, Mohammed lowered his head after acknowledging his mom, as tears began to flow from both him and his mother, who sat in a chair in front of the signing table.

"I'd like to thank my mom for always checking up on me," Mohammed said. "And to my mom for being the strongest woman I know, constantly checking up on me emotionally and being there for me."

Mohammed, who made The Arizona Republic's All-Arizona team, ran for 2,147 yards and 39 TDs on 189 carries during an 11-2 season that ended in the 5A state semifinals. He also caught 10 passes for 304 yards and four TDs.

He thanked Lado and Watkins, adding that his stats were his teammates' stats because of the blocks they made to help him set Apollo football records, including 113 career touchdowns.

These guys grew close as brothers during their high school career and decided as a group during the summer they would stick together after high school.

"We all know that we have the same goals in mind," Watkins said. "We know like how far we want to go. We all got offers from different schools. We knew if we had to part ways we would. But I think God brought us all together for a reason. And I think God brought us together at the same high school and I think that God brought us together to the same college for a reason. It's all for something great. I'm excited to continue God's plan with two of my best friends."

The three figured out that graduating early was an option and they were excited about it. Along with working hard on the football field, they pushed it in the classroom to make it work.

"They took a double class load, this semester, and knocked it all out," coach Aaron Walls said. "I have no doubt they'll be successful in college."

Related: A list of Arizona high school seniors expected to sign early with Division I colleges

Since committing in the summer, none of these players could have predicted how quickly the Wildcats would rise. UA, in its third season under Jedd Fisch, cracked the Top 25 and, ranked No.14 nationally, will face No. 12 Oklahoma on Dec. 28 in the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.

"I want to make an impact, do whatever I can to help the team," Mohammed said. "The program is going tremendously good right now. Hopefully, we can compete for a national championship."

Watkins, who likely will play center for the Wildcats, added, "We will be competing for a national championship."

Lado said he felt a great culture at UA.

"It's going to help me get faster and stronger getting there early," Lado said.

Horizon signing day

It's 10:15 a.m., and the rain has subsided and the sun as broken through. Perfect timing for three Scottsdale Horizon athletes to sign their national letters at the school's courtyard as the bell rang for students coming out of finals. Students were encouraged over a public-address system to be part of the ceremony for volleyball player Sky Gartin (Sacramento State), offensive lineman Carter Lavrusky (Kansas) and punter Kanyon Floyd (Arizona State).

Volleyball coach McKenna Skaggs talked glowingly about the resiliency of Gartin, who battled back from injuries to lead the Huskies to a third straight 5A state championship.

"She has overcome so much in the last two years I've known her," first-year head coach Skaggs said. "Over the course of her four years here, she has been a big part of every team she's been on. I'm so excited for her."

Football coach Andy Litten spoke about Lavrusky and Floyd, citing their accomplishments and rankings. Horizon went 17-8 in the last two seasons with Lavrusky and Floyd playing big parts. Both made The Arizona Republic's All-Arizona team.

All three then signed their letters in front of family and friends and teammates.

Lavrusky committed to Kansas during the summer. Kansas also scored big at 5A runner-up Goodyear Desert Edge, where cornerback Aundre Gibson, linebacker Jonathan Kamara and defensive end Deshawn Warner all signed with the Jayhawks on Wednesday morning.

"It means a lot to get that weight off your chest and finally be done with all of the recruiting," said Lavrusky, who will finish up in the spring at Horizon, before heading to Lawrence, Kansas. "As soon as they started talking to me, I looked into the program. I looked at the facilities. I like the coaches, the schemes they run. When I went on my visit, I kind of knew then I wanted to go there."

For Floyd, this is a dream come true to stay home and kick for ASU, something he'll have a chance to do right away next season. Only other schools taking serious interest were military academies.

"I think the timing worked out there," said Floyd, an All-Arizona selection, who averaged 45.5 yards a punt.

Basha signing day

It's 12:30 p.m., and half the Chandler Basha gymnasium stands are filled with people — family, friends, neighbors, teammates, faculty — waiting for quarterback Demond Williams Jr., cornerback Miles Lockhart, safety Tommy Prassas and tight end Javery Mayberry.

They each have a table with their parents beside them. Williams is headed to Arizona, Lockhart to Ohio State, Prassas to BYU and Mayberry to Northern Arizona. They're all done with their high school academic requirements and will be starting college in January, a trend that's been happening not just in Arizona but all over the country for kids who wanted to get into college life quickly.

"It's crazy," coach Chris McDonald said about high school football seniors graduating early to get to college. "I don't think it's NIL (money). I think these kids are competitors and they want to put their best foot forward when they move onto the next chapter of their lives. In order to do that, to come in over the spring semester, and compete right away, I think that drives it more than anything else."

Basha is expected to have four more players, including linebacker Jack Bleier (Central Michigan), sign in February.

These guys can't wait to get going in college.

Williams, the Arizona Cardinals' High School Football Player of the Year, is walking into a program that skyrocketed to success this season.

"I knew they had the potential," said Williams, who led Basha to an Open Division state title his junior year and to the semifinals this year.

Williams is joining American Leadership Gilbert North wide receiver Brandon Phelps, Scottsdale Desert Mountain receiver/safety Dylan Tapley and the three Apollo players to Tucson.

"I feel like this is going to be an impact class," Williams said. "We'll try to go in there and make a difference."

Lockhart overcame a foot injury from last spring sustained running track to get back this past football season. He said he'll move into Columbus on Jan. 5.

"It's going to be a big change," Lockhart said. "I'm going straight into football, straight into school. It's going to be good getting used to it."

Prassas said the only Utah connection is his step-mother is from Utah. He said he is hoping to play right away.

"Hopefully, I go in compete for the job," he said.

Mayberry, who transferred earlier in his high school career from Mesa Eastmark, made the transition from defensive end to tight end. McDonald called it a steal that NAU was able to sign Mayberry, who made All-Arizona.

Mayberry said he was impressed enough by new NAU coach Brian Wright to not move away from his commitment.

Wright, who is following Chris Ball, arranged an in-home visit right away with Mayberry.

"I love what he's bringing to the table," Mayberry said. "He's got great guys with him. And he's controlling the offense."

Sunnyslope signing

It’s only quarterback Luke Moga signing for the Sunnyslope Vikings in a third-floor conference room at the school at 3 p.m. He’s got his parents, friends, coaches, administrators, teammates around. Even Apollo running back Adam Mohammed, who had his signing ceremony early in the morning, stopped by to be part of Moga's big day.

Moga has on a polo shirt with the University of Oregon logo on it. He’ll be ready to run scout team next week with Salpointe Catholic defensive end Elijah Rushing for the Ducks when they’re here for the Fiesta Bowl. He said he plans to pick Bo Nix’s brain as much as possible. He can’t wait to get going, as an early enrollee in Eugene. Moga and Rushing will be roommates.

“It will be super cool to learn from him for a week,” Moga said about Nix, the Oregon quarterback. “See how he prepares, how he studies.”

Moga said he was surprised to see Mohammed (an Arizona signee) at his ceremony, but they text and talk all the time.

“He’s a great player and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s playing on Sundays,” Moga said of Mohammed.

Sunnyslope coach Sam Jacobs talked about Moga in front of the gathering before his player signed the paper. He said Moga probably was the best athlete he's ever coached.

“But that’s not what makes him special,” Jacobs said. “It’s his crazy, mildly annoying drive. If you’re friends with him, his parents, you know. You’ve received the text messages.

"I wish I would have kept track of the number of text messages we had sent back and forth to each other. When he wants something, he goes after it. Because of that, he can go wherever he wants and is going to be just fine.”

Chris Moga was a track sprinter in high school and saw his son blow away his top times in the 100 meters last spring.

Chris said Luke saw how determined his older sister was in soccer and he used that intense passion to get to where he wanted in football.

"He was always 15 minutes early and the last one leaving the field," Chris Moga said. "Just kind of naturally evolved that way."

Moga won’t be around to possibly win a state title in the 100 this coming track and field season. But he’ll be using that speed to his advantage at Oregon.

“I think that’s what separates me,” he said. “I think I can get it (the 100) to 10.3 (seconds) or high 10.2s this year. That’s where I was going. But I think that’s what separates me apart. I’ll develop as a football player but I’ll keep my speed.”

He said he doesn’t want to miss out on anything, which is why he graduated early from high school.

“It’s kind of the name of the game now,” Moga said. “Everyone does it. It’s the best way to get ahead, get in the playbook. And you can graduate in three-and-a-half years from college, too.

“I’m going to compete and see my competition eye to eye. I’m not going to save it.”

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Across Phoenix area, high school football seniors celebrate future