For Nicco Whigham, his decision nearly came down to nearly the last day. The idea of teaming up with his close friend and Cardinal Gibbons teammate, Erick Hallmon, at Bowling Green was enticing.
But when it was all said and done, the 6-1 195-pound defensive back chose to stick with his family and sign with Central Florida on signing day.
“Based on the information that I get from my son, it was a strong possibility that he was really considering Bowling Green,” said his father George Whigham. “I didn’t feel that it was in the best interest of another kid going to a school based on the fact of a friend.”
According to Whigham’s father, George, they will take the trip up north to Orlando for every game to watch their son play.
And what was the best part of the day for Nicco Whigham?
“Watching my momma smile,” Whigham said. “It shows that I have achieved a lot and she won’t have to struggle anymore.”
And smile she did.
As for Whigham and Hallmon, who have been friends for seven years, they will still keep each other in contact despite parting ways.
“We always wanted to play together but we knew that we had to make the best choice for both of us,” Whigham said. “We’re still brothers, until the end. He’s going to do his thing at Bowling Green and I’m going to do my thing at UCF.”
Hallmon, who cut off any recruiting calls a month prior to signing day will join the Bowling Green defensive unit in hopes of seeing some playing time early into his collegiate career.
Along with Whigham signing with UCF and Hallmon going to Bowling Green, Chase Bender will line up under center for Colgate University. It was a decision that the 6-3, 180-pound quarterback out of Cardinal Gibbons made the week prior to signing day.
University
MacGarret Kings left little doubt about what his plans were when he walked into a packed auditorium of students, alumni and family at University School on Wednesday morning. Kings was decked out in green colors and wearing a Michigan State Spartans cap and soon after, with his parents at his side, walked up on stage and signed on the dotted line.
As a slot wide receiver and punt and kickoff returner, Kings was one of the more sought-after players in the state in helping U. School to a state runner-up finish in 2010 and regional final appearance last season.
Kings was one of a dozen athletes honored at the signing ceremony, eight of those coming from coach Roger Harriot’s football team. The other major signing was 6-3, 330-pound offensive lineman Abraham “Nacho” Garcia, who followed through on his verbal commitment and donned a Louisville cap.
“It was down to Michigan State or Ohio State but when Ohio State ran into all of those problems last year, it made my decision easy,” said Kings who is optimistic about getting on the field right away in East Lansing. “I really got good vibes from the time I walked on the campus and you really had that family type of connection.”
“Louisville was an easy choice for me,” Garcia said. “The reason I liked it so much was their approach. There was no wining and dining. No frills. They just gave it to me straight. They told me they wanted me but that nothing would be handed to me on a silver platter, that I would have to earn everything I got and that’s what I love. Coach Harriott always preached that you only get what you work for and that’s the way I’ll always approach things.”
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