Football recruiting news and notes

The big day – National Signing Day – is less than 24 hours away. Here is the latest on happenings around the country:

* According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jeannette (Jeannette, Pa.) safety Demetrious Cox seemed destined to stay in-state and play at Penn State – until the recent child sex abuse scandal. While new Penn State coach Bill O'Brien has done well to solidify his first class, Cox will not be in that group.

Cox, ranked the No. 7 safety nationally by MaxPreps, announced Monday that he will sign with Michigan State. Penn State was on his short list, along with Ohio State and Wisconsin.

"When all that stuff went down, I just found a little more stability at Michigan State," Cox told the newspaper.

* A recent, welcome trend has players waiting for a few days after National Signing Day until they sign on the dotted line. Some do it to ensure the spotlight, while others truly need an extra day or two before making such an important decision. Such is the case with Simeon (Chicago, Ill.) offensive tackle Jordan Diamond.

Diamond is ranked No. 9 nationally at his position by MaxPreps and he took his last official visit this past weekend to Wisconsin, according to the Chicago Tribune. The school is holding a news conference Friday where Diamond reportedly will choose from between the Badgers, Arkansas, Auburn, Michigan and Ohio State.

The newspaper also reported teammate and Wolverines quarterback Robert Gregory is considering Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota and Purdue.

* Pleasant Grove (Pleasant Grove, Utah) lineman Brandon Fanaika will choose between Stanford and Utah, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. Considered by many to be the state's prospect, the 6-foot-3, 315-pounder verbally committed to Stanford last month, but apparently now is considering staying in-state.

* While we love to be able to break recruiting news, it's great to see the players take control of their own message, too, on one the biggest decisions or their early lives. Ridgeway (Memphis, Tenn.) cornerback Sheldon Dawson did just that Monday when he tweeted some big news about his recruitment. Dawson changed his allegiance from Memphis to Georgia.

According to The Commercial Appeal, Dawson verbally committed to Memphis last summer but backed off after the Tigers fired head coach Larry Porter.

* While the latest updates seemingly focus on athletes switching schools, Rockford (Rockford, Mich.) offensive tackle Ben Braden is sticking with his original choice. The 6-7, 320-pounder verbally committed to Michigan almost a year ago and he intends to sign with the Wolverines on Wednesday.

"It's exciting, definitely ready," Braden told MLive.com. "I haven't been too anxious because I've been focusing on high school stuff, but I am excited for this."

* Three of the Miami area's top players remain uncommitted. Miami Beach (Miami Beach, Fla.) wide receiver Ricardo Louis, South Miami (Miami, Fla.) cornerback Amos Leggett, ranked No. 20 nationally at his position by MaxPreps, and Northwestern (Miami, Fla.) defensive end Eric Kinsey are finalizing the decision-making process, according to The Miami Herald.

* Offensive lineman Alex Kozan of three-time defending champion Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) announced he will play at Iowa. Kozan had been Colorado's top uncommitted recruit. He also had Michigan and Auburn on his short list.

* Northwest Christian (Phoenix, Ariz.) running back Casey Jahn certainly made his mark on the Arizona football record book, as he ended his career as the state's leading rusher with more than 8,000 yards. Now the 8-man football standout will try to excel at the next level, as he committed to Big Sky school Northern Arizona on Monday, per the Arizona Republic.