The Blinn College football team enjoyed an eventful National Signing Day as nine Buccaneers inked national letters of intent to compete for four-year universities.
Of the nine signings, eight were NCAA Division I commitments.
“When our guys enroll here, do what they’re supposed to do both in the classroom and on the field, and then move on to a four-year school, you feel really good about what you’re doing as a football program,” Blinn head coach Ryan Mahon said.
(Pictured: From left, Brien Taylor, Maurice Evans, and Courage Ugochukwu)
Defensive end Brien Taylor is headed to Power-5 powerhouse University of Florida (ACC) after a two-year stint as a starter with the Bucs. Defensive back Maurice Evans also will join a Power-5 program as a member of the University of Utah football team (Pac-12). Evans also was a two-year starter for Mahon’s defense.
Defensive back Courage Ugochukwu is headed to Utah State University and the Mountain West Conference following two years with the Bucs in which he started in all 18 games he played.
(Pictured: From left, Giovanny Alegria, Dominic Eldridge, and William Thursland)
“You really have to be proud of those guys because they came here and were a huge part of this program for two years,” Mahon added.
Other Division I signings for Blinn came in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Offensive linemen Giovanny Alegria (Stephen F. Austin State University), Dominic Eldridge (Lamar University), and Billy Thursland (West Texas A&M University), linebacker Caden Holt (Tarleton State University), and wide receiver Brooks Rigney (West Texas A&M University) each are headed to the next level.
Offensive lineman Apollo Taylor has signed with Division II Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
(Pictured: From left, Caden Holt, Brooks Rigney, and Apollo Taylor)
Under Mahon’s direction, Blinn football has made it a point to spotlight its four-year transfers by enshrining them throughout the halls of the program’s main office.
“Our biggest goal is for guys to come through here and use us as a springboard to move on to bigger and better things,” Mahon said. “When our kids achieve that, it sends a message to future players that we bring through our campus that that goal is attainable. That is important to us.”
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 45 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
