Local High School Football Stars Make Their College Choices Official on National Signing Day

It used to be that a high school football player would sign with a college, and fans of that school would not know about him until they checked their media guides on the first day of Spring practice. That's far from the case, nowadays.

Welcome to 2012.

In what has become an annual tradition, Wednesday was "National Signing Day," when high school football stars from around the country officially announced their intentions to pursue their academic and athletic pursuits at the college level.

The day has become its own media circus, with home page coverage on ESPN.com and other major sports outlets. There are even television shows broadcasting live from high schools around the country, as the much-sought-after recruits don a cap with their college choice as friends, family, and the media look on.

While it's a little less subdued in San Diego, there are several football stars in Patch.com communities that signed on the dotted lines, and announced their new school colors. Many of these same players were .

(Editor's Note: Players from high schools in the City of San Diego were excluded from this list.)

Two Santee football players made their choices. You cheered them on as prep athletes. Now you can follow their careers on the collegiate level.

(Santee)

T.D. Gross, TE/OT – 6-5, 255 lbs. Signed with the University of Arizona.

(Santee)

, Quarterback – 6-0, 188 lbs. Signed with New Mexico State University.

Mount Miguel (Spring Valley)

Malcolm Jackson, Offensive Tackle/Defensive Tackle – 6-3, 255 lbs. Signed with San Diego State University.

Cory Littleton, Linebacker/Defensive Line – 6-4, 220 lbs. Signed with University of Washington.

Steele Canyon (Spring Valley)

Chanceller James, Safety – 6-2, 182 lbs. Signed with Boise State University.

Mario Yakoo, Offensive Guard – 6-3, 325. Signed with Boise State University.

Players from other Patch communities made their choices as well:

Helix (La Mesa)

Jimmy Pruitt, Athlete* – 5-10, 175 lbs. Signed with San Jose State University.

Gary Thompson, Outside Linebacker – 6-2, 205 lbs. Signed with Marshall University.

Brandon Lewis, Quarterback/Athlete – 5-10, 170 lbs. Signed with the University of San Diego.

Valhalla (El Cajon)

Shane Pennix, Defensive End – 6-3, 250 lbs. Signed with the University of Nevada. (Played at Grossmont College).

Christian High School (El Cajon)

Shane Dillon, Quarterback – 6-6, 190 lbs. Signed with Colorado University.

Ramona

Kwayde Miller, Offensive Tackle – 6-7, 275 lbs. Signed with San Diego State University.

La Costa Canyon (Encinitas)

Jake Jackson, Outside Linebacker – 6-3, 191 lbs. Signed with the University of Utah.

Erik Magnuson, Offensive Tackle – 6-5, 275 lbs. Signed with the University of Michigan.

Carlsbad

Tanner Wrisley, Quarterback – 6-3, 195 lbs. Signed with Harvard University.

Poway

Brian Guendling, Defensive End – 6-4, 202 lbs. Signed with the University of Nevada.

Oceanside

Grant Bays, Center – 6-3, 290 lbs. Signed with Oregon State University.

Eduardo Middleton, Offensive Tackle – 6-4, 285 lbs. Signed with Washington State University.

Vista (Oceanside)

Alex Kelley, Center – 6-3, 305 lbs. Signed with Colorado University.

Westview (Rancho Bernardo)

Taylor McNamara, Tight End – 6-5, 230 lbs. Signed with the University of Oklahoma.

*Athlete denotes no defined position. Players designated as ATH typically play both sides of the ball in the skill positions.

Do you know anyone else who signed with a college that is not on the list? Please tell us about them in the comments section.