SIGNING DAY: Gaels’ gridiron stars choose sides

Geoffrey Gibson and Alex Turner shared a laugh as Gibson playfully knocked the Stanford cap off Turner’s head Wednesday as the two Bishop Gorman football stars posed for a photo.

The lighthearted moment was an indication of the future: teammates in high school, friends forever, but rivals soon.

National signing day in college football passed in Southern Nevada with the state champion Gaels sending eight seniors to the next level, including tight end Xavier Grimble (Southern California), defensive end Turner (Stanford) and offensive lineman Gibson (California).

“Me and Geoff were actually kind of going at it this morning, talking about Cal and Stanford,” Turner said. “It will be fun to experience something to know your friends will experience it with you.”

Also signing from Gorman were linebacker Evan Palelei (Navy), defensive lineman Ian Bobak (UNLV), safety Taylor Spencer (UNLV), running back Victor Belen (Samford) and defensive tackle Tim Wilkinson (Northern Arizona).

“That bond is going to stay with us,” Gibson said. “I don’t know how it’s going to be when we have the rivalry games, but it should be fun.”

The headliner in the group is Grimble, who chose the Trojans over scholarship offers from UCLA, Florida, Oklahoma and many others. Rivals.com ranks the 6-foot-6-inch, 245-pound Grimble as the nation’s No. 1 tight end prospect in the class of 2010.

“I’m not a big emotional guy, but today is so special,” Grimble said. “For us to have eight guys going to college and get a free education, it’s overwhelming.”

Grimble never pulled his April commitment to USC, but he flirted with the idea of visiting UCLA after coach Pete Carroll left the Trojans for the Seattle Seahawks in January.

But Grimble never took that trip, sticking with USC after a meeting with new coach Lane Kiffin eased his mind.

“The first week (Kiffin) got hired, I went down there that weekend and had a good talk with him,” Grimble said. “We had a bond instantly. He’s been a part of the Trojan family before, so he knows what it’s like.”

Contact with college coaches is a “daily thing” at Gorman, Gaels coach Tony Sanchez said.

Pointing to how important Grimble is to USC’s plans, Sanchez said he received two missed calls and 11 text messages from USC’s anxious coaching staff between 6:45 and 7 a.m. Wednesday.

“Two weeks before signing day, we had over 14 schools on campus,” Sanchez said. “It’s a big part of the job. When you’re at Gorman, it’s not just coaching a football team; it’s really being integrated and involved in the process.”

Perhaps the most notable signing outside of Gorman was Valley receiver Garic Wharton, who signed with Arizona.

Wharton, who committed to the Wildcats in June, saw his stock soar after winning the state 100-meter dash title in a state-record 10.39 seconds in May. He plans to compete in football and track at Arizona.

Palo Verde defensive end Daniel Godkin signed with Navy and safety Tyrone Blake with Southern Utah to cap an emotional season.

Panthers defensive coordinator Dave Castro died at age 54 of cardiac arrest in October, and Godkin said he thought of Castro while signing.

“The last few years flashed by my eyes,” Godkin said. “When he passed away, I took everything he said and applied it. I definitely thought of him.”

There were no major defections or surprises among Southern Nevada prospects.

Other locals to sign with UNLV included linebacker Kyle Anderson (Silverado), offensive linemen Tyler Gaston (Rancho) and Cameron Jefferson (Desert Oasis), safety Eric Tuiloma (Desert Pines), kicker Nolan Kohorst (Green Valley) and defensive lineman Desmond Tautofi (Calvary Chapel).

Arbor View quarterback Austin Anderson, Clark running back Andre Clay and Liberty receiver Anthony Norris signed with Southern Utah. Other Football Championship Subdivision signees included Cheyenne running back Jordan Butler (South Dakota) and receiver/defensive back Xavian Johnson (Weber State) and Canyon Springs defensive tackle Jordan Turner (Prairie View A&M).

Desert Oasis defensive back Elijah Mitchell (Princeton) and Del Sol receiver/defensive back Evan Weinstock (Brown) plan to play in the Ivy League.