Armstead, Iese headline 16 Elk Grove D-I college football signees | News

ELK GROVE, CA - Elk Grove Unified School District proudly showed the state why they remain a hot bed for high school athletics.

During National Signing Day on Wednesday, the school district held a signing ceremony for 16 Division I football players, including one of the nation's top recruits in Oregon bound defensive end Arik Armstead of Pleasant Grove.

News10 slideshow from Wednesday's Elk Grove District signing with Elk Grove High, Pleasant Grove, Sheldon, and Cosumnes Oaks.

"It was fun to be around my teammates and everybody I've played against, and with throughout my high school years," Armstead said.

Joining Armstead as the district's top college football athletes were tight end Nate Iese of Sheldon and Cosumnes Oaks defensive back Marcus Rios, who will both be attending and playing for Jim Mora Jr. at UCLA.

Iese had previously been torn over attending UCLA and Nebraska.

"I've been waiting for this day for a long time," Iese said, who didn't settle on UCLA until sometime last week. "Just coming up here today and seeing everyone sign together is a real priviledge and it makes me really happy."

Elk Grove Thundering Herd menacing lineman Steven Moore will be headed to Cal-Berkeley, while running back Deon Ransom will remain close to home by signing with the Sacramento State Hornets.

Moore had previously given a verbal commitment to Arizona, but seemed to have lost touch with the coaching staff during the season. Being that he was interested in Cal from the beginning before giving his verbal commitment to Arizona, he was able to fall back on them and he said he was glad to do so.

Armstead was joined by his Eagles teammates linebacker D.J. Dunn and defensive back Desmond Lewis, who are both headed to Air Force. Pleasant Grove kicker Marcus White will head to UC Davis while quarterback Cody Demps and running back Mark Jenkins will sign with colleges any day now. Jenkins will likely be headed to Southern Oregon.

Moore and Ransom were joined by Thundering Herd teammates Josh Letuligasenoa, a tight end and linebacker headed for Cal Poly, and lineman Watson Tautuiaki, who is heading to Southern Oregon.

Sheldon's defensive lineman Antonio Perez will head to Idaho, while Darion Jackson will play linebacker for Southern Oregon. Sheldon Wide receiver Kyi Thomas will join Ransom at Sacramento State.

Rios was joined by Cosumnes Oaks teammates Michael Thomas, a receiver headed to UNLV, and Andrew Miller, who signed with Idaho as a safety, despite playing quarterback for much of his high school career. Linebacker LaDontrae Gooden, also from Cosumnes Oaks agreed to attend  Southern Oregon.

Armstead said having so many players come from Elk Grove really showed that the city has excellent programs for developing athletes.

"It shows that we have a high caliber of football here and we have excellent players to go along with it," said Armstead.

By Sean Cunningham, SCunningham@News10.net
Twitter: @News10Sean