Gorman's DeMarco Murray, shown against Palo Verde, rushed for 1,947 yards and 27 TDs and was a first-team all-state selection last season. Photo by Ralph Fountain. DeMarco Murray Standout running back signs with national power Oklahoma

In 2002, only two area high school football players signed with Division I-A schools on the first day of the signing period.

Oh, how things have changed.

One school, Bishop Gorman, had three Division I-A signees Wednesday, and 12 area players have signed at the Division I-A level this year. Another five signed with Division I-AA programs Wednesday.

"It wasn't very long ago when very few schools would ever come through here," Las Vegas High coach Chris Faircloth said. "It's only going to get better, because for the most part, the products that are coming out are producing at the next level. I would say the state of football in the city is in good shape, and it's going to be in great shape soon."

Not only are local players signing at the highest level, they are going to some of the country's top programs.

Las Vegas High's Jashaad Gaines signed Wednesday with Notre Dame, which finished the season ranked ninth by The Associated Press. Gorman's DeMarco Murray, ranked as one of the nation's top 10 seniors by ESPN.com, signed with Oklahoma, where he will join 2005 Gorman graduate Ryan Reynolds and former Cheyenne standout Quinton Carter, who graduated early and enrolled at Oklahoma for the spring semester.

Also signing with Division I-A schools Wednesday were Palo Verde's Mike Smith (Nebraska), Gorman's DeAngelo Wilkinson (Colorado State) and Martrell Fantroy (San Diego State), Valley's Stevenson Sylvester (Utah) and Geno Odong (Utah State), Western's Ron Paulo (UNLV), Eldorado's DaVell Jackson (UNLV), Shadow Ridge's Alex Toney (Wyoming) and Silverado's Ben Jacobs (Fresno State).

Murray, a first team all-state running back who rushed for 1,947 yards and 27 touchdowns last season, said having two familiar faces on campus should help his college transition.

"I played with Quinton since I was little," Murray said. "It's great to have Ryan Reynolds down there and Quinton Carter. I can't wait to get down there."

Carter, an all-state defensive back, will participate in spring practice and expects to compete for playing time at safety as a freshman. He played six positions at Cheyenne but will focus on safety for the Sooners.

"It'll be better that I can concentrate on doing one thing instead of having to try to be a Superman," Carter said. "I can learn my roles and handle one responsibility."

Faircloth said he has no doubt Gaines can succeed at the next level. Like Carter, Gaines was an all-state defensive back who will play safety in college.

"He's a kid that's going to succeed," Faircloth said. "I don't think you'd ever understand his work ethic unless you were around him. He kind of lives for football' it's kind of his passion."

Smith was an all-state defensive end at Palo Verde who also started at tight end. He might play on the offensive line at Nebraska.

Jacobs was the Sunrise Region's co-Defensive Player of the Year and an all-state pick at linebacker. Silverado coach Doug Thornhill said Jacobs, who wrestles at 215 pounds, should be able to add plenty of bulk to his 6-foot-4-inch frame once he concentrates solely on football.

"He's got a great frame; he's going to gain a lot of weight," Thornhill said. "He can hold a lot of weight and still be a pretty fast, strong kid."

Valley's Sylvester, a second-team all-state pick at tight end, was recruited to play linebacker at Utah. And like Jacobs, Sylvester should be able to add weight once he stops playing basketball.

Odong was recruited by Utah State as a cover cornerback, and Valley coach Jim Massey said Odong will improve once he has a better understanding of the position.

"We used him quite a bit with just his natural ability," Massey said. "We were pretty offensive minded this year, so we just kind of stuck him over there and let him do his thing."

Gorman coach Dave White said he expects Fantroy and Wilkinson to compete for early playing time in the secondary at their respective schools. White said Fantroy might move to linebacker.

Toney was the leading tackler for Shadow Ridge at linebacker. Mustangs coach J.D. Johnson said the 220-pounder probably will move to safety in college.

Paulo was a first-team all-state linebacker after finishing his senior season with 150 tackles, including 108 solos. Jackson was a first-team all-state kick returner who caught 35 passes for 500 yards and five touchdowns.

Las Vegas defensive lineman Xavaier Cleveland, the Sunrise co-Defensive Player of the Year, headed a group of three players to sign with Division I-AA Southern Utah. Las Vegas wide receiver Akeem Anifowoshe and Shadow Ridge offensive lineman Anthony Lewis also signed with the Thunderbirds.

Rancho standout Ariece Perkins, who played quarterback and defensive back for the Rams, signed with Division I-AA Weber State, where he also is expected to play basketball.

Western wide receiver/defensive back Chris Fowler signed with I-AA Alcorn State.

Several other local players still are considering their options and could sign later in the period, which ends April 1.