A number of Stanislaus football players sign on dotted line. Here’s where they’re going

Feb. 2 marked the start of regular signing period for football recruits around the country. A number of local athletes who received scholarship offers to NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA schools have spent the past few weeks announcing who has expressed interest in their athletic and academic prowess, and a few have said where they will start the next step in their journeys.

Patterson’s Marcus Simien signed with Fresno State during the Dec. 15 early signing period. Simien announced his commitment Dec. 13 on Twitter, posting “Staying in the Valley.” The Central California Conference’s lineman of the year played on both sides of the ball his senior season. He will play on the Bulldogs’ offensive line.

Ripon Christian’s Zach Brouwer didn’t waste any time making his commitment to Dordt University official. The All-District defensive lineman helped lead the Knights to a 7-3 regular season record and signed his letter of intent Dec. 15. He finished his senior season with 64 tackles and an impressive 12 tackles for loss.

Downey’s David Jones signed with NCAA Division II school Central Washington University on Wednesday. The defensive back led the Knights with seven interceptions and six pass breakups. He also collected 32 tackles. A 6-foot-2 senior, Jones helped the 9-2 Knights to the program’s most wins since 2014-15. Downey went undefeated in the Central California Athletic League for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

Jones, a member of The Bee’s All-District Defensive Team, joins 22 other players as members of the Wildcats’ 23-man signing class. He joins cornerback Ronnie Brutus of Monterey Trail High School and linebacker Brett McCalla of Mira Costa High School as the three Californians in the 2022 class.

Big Valley Christian’s Merek Boone announced his commitment to Tabor College, an NAIA school in in Hillsboro, Kansas, on Dec. 23. Lions head coach Brian Berkefeld said they hope to have a signing ceremony on Friday, Feb. 11.

Boone, a 6-foot-4 defensive lineman, helped the Lions earn their fourth straight perfect league record and will look to make an impact on a Bluejays team that went 3-8 last season.

Ripon High teammates Colin Speed and Bronson Burrow will go their separate ways next season. Speed committed to Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, and will play on the Swedes’ defensive line. He was an All-Trans-Valley League first team defense honoree and finished with 21 total tackles and one sack.

Burrow accepted a Preferred Walk-On scholarship offer to attend the University of Nevada-Reno. Burrow is a 6-foot-7 tight end whose athletic ability makes him an easy target for a quarterback at any level. In his senior season at Ripon, he played both on offense as a tight end and defense as a defensive tackle.

Modesto Junior College Athletes

Modesto Junior College hybrid safety D’Angelo Bellamy almost didn’t take the junior college route. Coming out of Central Catholic, he had a Preferred Walk-On offer from Fresno State, which he says he nearly accepted, but decided to bet on himself and try to earn a scholarship at MJC.

Now, he’s cashing in on that bet. Bellamy announced Tuesday that he signed with the University of Texas at El Paso.

Bellamy picked UTEP after fielding offers from Arizona State and a number of FCS schools.

Coming out of Central Catholic, Bellamy admits the influence of signing with a four-year out of high school was certainly there, but he knew he was worth more than a walk-on offer and was willing to work for a scholarship.

The CCCAA All-State defensive back was one of UTEP’s 15 Feb. 2 signees and joins MJC teammate Dauson Booker, who signed Dec. 15, in the Miners’ defensive backfield.

Fellow CCCAA All-State honoree and quarterback Gino Campiotti should be settling in at the University of Massachusetts after coming back home for a year.

After graduating from Manteca High, the 6-foot-3 dual-threat quarterback went to Northern Arizona University, but after splitting time between quarterback and tight end during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, came to MJC looking to hone his skills as a field general.

In his one season as a Pirate, Campiotti had 1,931 passing yards and 18 touchdowns and 834 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

Bellamy and Campiotti join the growing list of MJC football signees.

------

Modesto Junior College Signees – Alphabetical Order

This story was originally published February 3, 2022 at 1:07 PM.

Quinton Hamilton

The Modesto Bee

Quinton Hamilton covers high school sports for The Modesto Bee. He is a Southern California native and received his bachelor’s degree from Pacific Union College and a master’s in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Quinton has worked at the Record-Journal in Meriden and helped on projects at Hearst Connecticut.