Miami Hurricanes and FIU signees headline Columbus Explorers’ early signing period
Less than two weeks after winning a second straight state championship, it was a victory of another kind early Wednesday afternoon for the Columbus football team.
It was early-signing day and the gym was all dressed up with school colors and balloons as a dozen Explorer football players signed their name on the dotted line and away they will go to various colleges and universities to take not only their football talents but academic as well.
Leading the way locally were a pair of defensive linemen, Daylen Russell and Robert Williams.
Russell proudly held his two hands together to make a “U” as he inked his deal to attend the University of Miami while Williams signed up to attend FIU.
“It was always about the U and nobody else,” said Russell. “Ever since Coach [Mario] Cristobal got there, they’ve pretty much been on me and now I’m excited to get to Coral Gables and help this program be great.”
Russell spent the last two state championship seasons with the Explorers either clogging up the middle from an interior defensive line position or on the outside as a defensive end. Last season he finished with 70 tackles including 11 tackles for loss and a team-high 12 sacks.
“There’s a trust factor and it’s always been there between me and all the UM coaches,” said Russell. “They’ve come a long way and Coach Cristobal has gotten the corner turned. The best years at UM are coming up and I want to be a part of that.”
Williams played right next to Russell on the D-line and carved his own niche in helping the Explorers defense become one of the top units in the state.
“FIU locked in on me last January,” said Williams who finished with 40 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. “What I like about them is that they are an adapt-to-a-situation type of team. Whatever challenge comes, it’s ‘let’s face it, get through it and win.’ I met with Coach (Mike) MacIntyre and Coach Fraser and those are the guys with the plans. I’m excited.”
Quarterback Alberto Mendoza, after being courted and offered by James Madison, donned an Indiana cap but with good reason. JMU head coach Curt CIgnetti recently made the jump to become Indiana’s new head coach last month and took Mendoza with him.
Tight end Benjamin Blackburn and defensive end Dylan Stephenson must carry an impressive GPA as they both committed to play and attend Stanford University. Cornerback Jeff Bandy will hit the Ivy League road at Brown University.
Other football signees included Willis McGahee (Nebraska), Jose Leon (Appalachian State), Jason Ibarra (Trinity) and the Pineda brothers, Tristan and Cameron, both headed to Tufts University in Boston.
“I think I’m smiling a little more today than when we won the state title, a whole lot less pressure,” quipped head coach Dave Dunn with a grin. “Such a great day for these kids and I honestly think that’s whay they come here. The academics they get and the exposure to top colleges around the country and second to none and I’m excited for all of them. Of course then I look over there at all of them and then it really hits me that the more of the I see up there the more I have to replace.”
Columbus’ non-football signees were Duriel Moss (Track & Field, Florida State), Alejandro Romagosa (Cross Country, North Florida) and wrestler Anthony Piaia who signed on with Ottawa University.
This story was originally published December 20, 2023 at 3:43 PM.