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Ryland Widener's entire family was there to watch. The Southmoore senior was about to realize his dream going to college and there was no way his family was going to miss it.
"They were proud," Widener said. "This is something we have been dreaming about for a long time. Especially me and my father. This is a happy day for all of us."
Widener was one of 15 seniors on hand who either signed National Letters of Intent or were declaring what schools they would be attending next season. The 6-foot-2 , 300 defensive tackle signed with Northern Colorado in Greeley, despite other offers.
"They stuck through me through my whole recruiting process," Widener said. "They were the first ones to offer me. I had some other options, but I felt that is where home was at. Somewhere I would just feel like a player, but a family."
While Widener is leaving the state, several SaberCats decided to stay close to home. They include Austin Haywood and Julian Wilson, who signed with the University of Oklahoma.
"It's huge," Haywood said. "I didn't want to go in there not knowing anybody and being lost. So I get to go in with Julian. Get to room with him this year. That’s huge for me."
Haywood hauled in 34 receptions for 578 yards and 12 touchdowns. In the various lineups the SaberCats use, he has also been able to carry the ball 33 times for 134 yards and eight more scores. Rivals.com currently has him ranked as the second best player in the state and the No. 7 tight end in the country.
Wilson was the first Southmoore player to commit last summer. And he was pleased at everything that has happened since then.
"I feel real good knowing my tuition is going to be paid for by someone other than my parents," Wilson said. "We have money, but college tuition money is something I don't think we have. I feel good. That pretty much made me put the chip on my shoulder and work hard knowing I had to get my college tuition one way or the other."
Other players who signed include Mason Myers (Colorado State), Jordan Newby (Southern Nazarene University) and LaBron Brown (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M;). Wide-out Nyko Symonds spurred scholarship offers from smaller colleges in order to accept a chance to walk on with the Sooners.
"I have always wanted to play for a top D-I program and OU has given me the chance to achieve my goals and dreams" Symonds said. "OU called a few weeks ago and invited me on a visit, offered me then Coach Norvell and Coach Gundy called and said since I was invited I will have the same opportunity as everyone else on the roster and that is all I asked for was a chance. They said wide receiver was a priority for them in this class and they wanted me to be a part of it."
In only their second year, the Southmoore program produced one of the largest signing classes in the state.
"I think it’s huge," Southmoore coach Chris Jensen said. "A lot of times kids want to play at the next level and don't have an opportunity. They coaches worked very hard to find opportunities for those kids. That's what led to this day."
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