By Tim Tanner
MaxPreps.com
National Signing Day marked a momentous date in the life of 29 local senior football players from Ventura County.
The Ventura County Football Coaches Association sponsored a Signing Day celebration at the Clarion Palms Hotel in Newbury Park, giving the student-athletes an opportunity to make their future destinations known for the first time, officially.
Oaks Christian, who claimed the CIF Division III state title in December, had a county-record 11 seniors sign letters of intent to Division I schools.
Quarterback Jimmy Clausen, considered by many to be the No. 1 high school prospect in the country, stood by a long-standing commitment and signed with Notre Dame. USC snapped up teammates Marshall Jones (defensive back) and Marc Tyler (running back).
Also headed to Division I schools from Oaks Christian; Anthony Gildon (Oregon, defensive back), Casey Mathews (Oregon, linebacker), Mike Ebbitt (Texas A&M, defensive lineman), Duke Lemmens (Florida, defensive lineman), Cory Yriarte (Boise State, offensive lineman), Sean Wiser (Stanford, wide receiver), Tommy Grillo (UC Davis, defensive back), and Justin Landseadel (Lineman/Air Force).
Other Ventura County Signees.
Camarillo: Quarterback Samson Szakacsy (Arizona State), punter Bryan Anger (California), California, and offensive lineman Kurtis Gunther (San Diego State).
St. Bonaventure: Lineman Josh Arevalo (Humboldt State), tight end Blaine Irby (Texas), defensive back Michael Williams (Michigan), defensive back Angel Morales (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo), and defensive back Glenn Wakam (Princeton).
Moorpark: Offensive lineman George Halamanadaris (Stanford), defensive back Josh Smith (Colorado), and lineman Kyle Rainer (Fresno State).
Westlake: Defensive lineman Tyrone Duncan (Washington), quarterback Ryan Campbell (Air Force).
Rio Mesa: Wide receiver Josh Harrison (San Jose State), Malachai Lewis, running back, Oregon, and Shane Austin, quarterback, Hawaii.
Other Schools: Defensive lineman DeJuan Yates (Thousand Oaks/Colorado State), defensive back Logan Ketchum (Oak Park/San Diego State).