Northwestern University Athletics
LIVE: Northwestern Football National Signing Day Central 2015
2/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
WATCH LIVE (11:30 a.m. CT) - Pat Fitzgerald's National Signing Day Press Conference
On Wednesday, February 4, the Northwestern Football Family will welcome the newest class of Wildcats on National Signing Day 2015. Follow all of the commitments all day long right here beginning at 6 a.m. CST when the first National Letters of Intent will arrive from student-athletes in the eastern time zone.
Fans can also follow along all morning on Twitter with @coachfitz51, @NUFBFamily and @NU_Sports.
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald will introduce the newest members of Chicago's Big Ten Team to the public right in the heart of downtown on Wednesday afternoon. The Northwestern Gridiron Network reception will take place at Ditka's Restaurant, located at 100 E. Chestnut St. in Chicago, from noon to 2 p.m.
This exclusive Signing Day event is free to all current NGN members. Non-members and guests are also invited to attend at a cost of $50 per person. To secure a spot at Ditka's, please RSVP by calling 847-467-4321 or via e-mail at WildcatFundEvents@northwestern.edu.
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9:40 a.m. CST
The Signing Day Class of 2015 is complete! A Texan, defensive back Jake Murray, and two Californians, defensive lineman Trent Goens and linebacker Simba Short are Nos. 18, 19 and 20 to sign with Northwestern this morning. Stay tuned to NUsports.com for continuing coverage throughout the day.
8:57 a.m. CST
In just a few minutes the clock will strike 7 a.m. PST, making those who live in that area of the country eligible to sign National Letters of Intent. How many more young men will join the Northwestern Football Family this morning?
8:20 a.m. CST
Local quarterback Lloyd Yates is used to following behind Adam Lemke-Bell. After spending the last four seasons together as OPRF Huskies, the duo will team up yet again at Northwestern. In high school, Yates set the school record with 72 touchdowns as a varsity player.
8:09 a.m. CST
The Adam Lemke-Bell era is set to commence in Evanston. The offensive tackle from nearby Oak Park River Forest High School will stay close to home to play for Chicago's Big Ten Team. Lemke-Bell captained the football team in the fall and he also captains the defending IHSA state wrestling champions.
7:52 a.m. CST
Dial up another victory for the fax machine! Trae Williams, the son of Ohio defensive line coach Jesse Williams, has sent in his NLI to become a member of the Wildcats. He racked up over 6,000 all-purpose yards on offense and more than 110 tackles in high school. Williams is projected to become a defensive back under the guidance of coach Jerry Brown.
7:43 a.m. CST
John Moten IV ran for 35 touchdowns and more than 2,500 yards during his senior season at John Burroughs in St. Louis. He is the 14th person to join the Northwestern Football Family in less than two hours.
7:40 a.m. CST
What's better than one Vitale? Two! Tommy Vitale, the brother of rising senior superback Dan Vitale, has sent in his signed National Letter of Intent to play linebacker for the Wildcats. Can't wait for those two to line up across from each other on the practice field.
7:29 a.m. CST
Don't mess with Nathan Fox! The middle linebacker from Houston, Texas registered 400 tackles during his high school career.
7:24 a.m. CST
Another local product and state champion, Cameron Green from Stevenson H.S., just got off the phone with Coach Fitz. Green's father, Mark, played for Chicago's NFL Team. Green and the Patriots won the IHSA 8A state championship in November.
7:17 a.m. CST
In this day and age most players submit their National Letters of Intent electronically via e-mail. Montre Hartage, a defensive back from Georgia, goes old school and sends in his National Letter of Intent via the fax machine.
7:13 a.m. CST
The first local commitment comes from wide reciver Flynn Nagel of Lemont. Nagel becomes the third member of his family to don the Purple and White for Chicago's Big Ten Team, joining brothers Brett and Aaron. At Lemont H.S., Nagel tallied 28 touchdowns in 2014.
7:00 a.m. CST
One hour in on National Signing Day, the Wildcats should be receiving a new crop of NLIs from players who live in the central time zone. Who will be first?
6:47 a.m. CST
Charlie Fessler, a wide reciever, from Erie, Pa. has signed on to join the Northwestern Football Family. Fessler, also an accomplished baseball player, was recently selected to paticipate in the prestigious Big 33 All-Star Game. He becomes the eighth young man to sign on the dotted line within the hour. Fessler earned a scholarship after attending camp at Northwestern.
6:36 a.m. CST
The 2014 AP All-Ohio Defensive Player of the Year, Jordan Thompson of Cincinnati, will be part of coach Marty Long's defensive line. He's a four-star defensive tackle from LaSalle High School.
6:29 a.m. CST
Another product of The Gilman School, Alonzo Mayo, has returned his NLI. Mayo has been teammates with another signee, Jelani Roberts, since the two played youth football together. We're thrilled that they'll continue that relationship in Evanston! Mayo recorded five interceptions as a defensive back.
6:21 a.m. CST
An offensive lineman from New Jersey, Andrew Otterman, have been added to the Signing Day class of 2015. In addition to starring on the gridiron, Otterman is an accomplished rugby player. His father, Tim, was a national champion in volleyball at UCLA in 1984.
6:13 a.m. CST
The first offensive lineman of the group has sent in his letter for Coach Fitz and the Wildcat. Jared Thomas is another one of the six state champions. In fact, his high school, Cathedral in Indianapolis, has won five consecutive titles. Defensive lineman Joe Gaziano from outside of Boston is also in the fold. He's the top-rated player in the state of Massachusetts and ANOTHER state champion. The dolcet tones of Neil Diamond and his hit song Sweet Caroline is playing in the office in honor of the Bostonian.
6:10 a.m. CST
One of six state champions in the class, Steven Reese, a defensive back from Georgia has signed an NLI to become one of the newest #B1GCats. The guys from the eastern time zone are rolling in fast!
6:07 a.m. CST
And the winner is ... Jelani Roberts, a wide reciver and running back from The Gilman School in Baltimore, Md. "We just got a lot faster," exclaimed Coach Fitz!
5:55 a.m. CST
Coach Fitzgerald and the coaching staff has arrived at the Northwestern Football offices. The first National Letters of Intent can arrive in about five minutes from now.
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