Gorman's Po'u Palelei smiles as he signs his letter of intent Wednesday to attend Arizona State. Palelei was one of 11 local prep players to land with Division I football programs. Photo by Craig L. Moran.

Bishop Gorman football standout Po'u Palelei knows about Arizona State's reputation as a place to have a good time.

But that's not why the massive lineman chose the Sun Devils.

"It's not because it's a party school, but academically it's real good," Palelei said. "Their academic adviser, he has a plan for everyone on their football team. And if you're not studying there, he's going to have you do something else. And that helps."

The 6-foot-4-inch, 335-pound Palelei was one of 11 area football players to sign with Division I programs as the signing period started Wednesday.

Also signing on Wednesday were Las Vegas High's Billy Winn (Boise State), O'Ryan Bradley (UNLV) and Nate Carter (UNLV), Cimarron-Memorial's Neil Spencer (San Diego State), Eddie Wide (Utah) and Brandon Marshall (UNR), Cheyenne's D.J. Campbell (California), Gorman's Corey White (Idaho), Shadow Ridge's Korey Toomer (Idaho) and Desert Pines' Michael Cosgrove (Idaho).

Palelei said the chance to play early also was a reason he chose Arizona State.

"I'm bigger than most of the guys there on the line, on both sides of the line," Palelei said. "They said there's probably like a 75 percent chance that I'd be playing as a freshman."

Palelei was a first-team all-state pick on the offensive line as a senior but said he prefers defense. He said he'll go where the coaches want him, though, and knows he probably has more long-term potential on offense.

"If I want to go to the next level, which I do after college, offense is where my money's going to be at," Palelei said. "Where the money's going to be at is where I'm going to play."

The 6-4, 260-pound Winn was a first-team all-state defensive tackle. He had opportunities to play in bigger conferences but chose Boise State in the Western Athletic Conference.

The Broncos were the only undefeated Division I-A team last season and finished fifth in the final Associated Press poll.

"They're nationally ranked, top 25 every year," Las Vegas coach Chris Faircloth said. "I think what they do speaks for itself. He had opportunities to go to higher-profile programs, but that's what he felt was right for him."

Faircloth also was excited to see two of his players stay at home to play for UNLV.

"I honestly think that they're going to get that thing turned around," Faircloth said.

Campbell became the second area player to head to California in recent years, joining former Green Valley standout defensive back Brett Johnson. The Bears finished the season ranked 14th in the nation.

Campbell was a first-team all-state defensive back after intercepting eight passes as a senior.

He also doubled as the team's quarterback.

Cimarron's Spencer (6-2, 267) was a two-way all-state player who will concentrate on defense at San Diego State.

"They're excited about him playing defense because of his ability to stay on his feet and his quickness," Cimarron coach Ron Smeltzer said.

Wide was recruited by many schools as a defensive back, but Smeltzer said Utah would give his standout a chance at running back. Wide rushed for 1,702 yards as a senior.

"I think that was important for him, and I think he's excited," Smeltzer said.

Marshall will play outside linebacker for UNR. He was a second-team all-state pick at that spot as a senior.

Idaho swooped up three talented athletes in Cosgrove, White and Toomer.

Cosgrove (6-6, 250) was a second-team all-state pick on both sides of the ball.

Toomer (6-3, 215) will play linebacker for the Vandals, and White is expected to compete at running back early in his college career. He rushed for 1,314 yards in the fall.

"Corey, he's going to have a chance to go up there and really stand out and be a big-time player," Gorman coach David White said.

Several other players signed with smaller programs on Wednesday.

Las Vegas defensive back Colin Pretlow and Del Sol tight end Cody Heinreich signed with Division 1-AA Southern Utah. Defensive backs Jimmy Mitchell of Silverado and Drew Bernhardy of Gorman signed with I-AA Northern Arizona.

The most intriguing I-AA signee was Centennial's Jaren Walker, who rushed for almost 1,000 yards as a junior but missed his entire senior season after injuring his shoulder in a scrimmage game just before the season.

Walker rehabilitated the injury on his own and signed with Lehigh on Wednesday.

"He's got a lot on the ball and wants to be successful," Centennial coach Joel Bertsch said."

Five area players -- Foothill wide receiver Ryan Erekson (Colorado School of Mines), Gorman linebacker Phil Fernandez (University of Mary), Liberty safety Llo'Witt Cook (University of Mary) and offensive lineman Victor Mathis (University of Mary) and Shadow Ridge running back Jeremiah Dotson (Chadron State) signed with Division II schools.

Rancho defensive lineman Lee Magaster signed with NAIA Minot State.

Foothill coach Marty Redmond said running back D'Angelo Jones, the state's all-time leading rusher, didn't sign on Wednesday.

He said Jones might get offers later in the signing period and could consider junior colleges as well.