The First Academy broke the Orlando-area record for Football Bowl Subdivision signings this week during the NCAA’s Early Signing Period, which ends Friday. Nine Royals inked scholarship papers with FBS programs.
Safety Devin Jackson, the No. 4 player in the Sentinel’s 2026 Central Florida Super60, leads the way. Jackson, who was once committed to Florida, signed with Oregon.
OL Chancellor Barclay signed with Clemson, and he was joined by CB Danny Odem (Nebraska), WR Demetrice McCray (Pittsburgh), DE Alex Willis (Georgia Tech), DE Kingston Shaw (Illinois), WR Brian Williams Jr. (Auburn), LB Blaze Jones (Air Force), and DL Cashman McCoy (Eastern Michigan).
One big surprise on the list was Williams flipping from Alabama to Auburn on signing day. He had been committed to Alabama since July.
Also signing from TFA was OL Gerard Gearity, who is headed to Colgate, an FCS school.
TFA safety Devon Jackson, who signed with Oregon, poses with head coach Jeff Conaway. (Courtesy TFA)
Other players join this list with the regular National Signing Day taking place Feb. 2.
The previous high number for FBS players in a single signing class was at Jones High with six in 2017. Jones players that year were Sevyn Banks (Ohio State), Devin Hayes (FAU), Stacey Kirby (USF), Kerby Joseph (Illinois), Jaylen Joyner (FAU) and Quadry Jones (UCF).
TFA coach Jeff Conaway offered a unique perspective on coaching such a talented group. It might appear to be an easy task to coach such a collection of players, but that, said Conaway, would be the wrong approach.
Sentinel’s 2026 Central Florida Super60 football prospects
At TFA, Conaway said, they don’t just roll out the footballs.
“As coaches, we’re having to bring it every single day. We’re having to be better as coaches because our players expect more, deserve more,” Conaway said. “So I don’t think it’s easier because you don’t want them to not develop. You have to find ways for them to continuously get better.
“There are definitely some advantages, of course, and we’re not feeling sorry for ourselves. But you do have to bring a different style of professionalism when you are coaching kids who have already gone to the best of the best camps and go to the best of the best trainers and have experienced football and football development at a high level.”
TFA offensive lineman Chancellor Barclay, who signed with Clemson, poses with head coach Jeff Conaway. (Courtesy TFA)
TFA has taken on an initiative to bring its football program to new heights, and the amount of talent that has flocked to the school is evidence of that process.
“I think it says we are a program that develops. I believe in our processes and our system. Our goal is to develop champions spiritually, academically, socially and athletically, and I think The First Academy allows us to do that on a level that most can’t,” Conaway said. “With our coaches, our administration, our teachers, everybody who is involved does a fantastic job of developing young people.”
Here is the football early signing list for Orlando area schools:
Bishop Moore
Kenyon Alston, Illinois
Jaxson Anderson, New Haven
Trenton Gummer, Delaware
Amar’e Johnson, Missouri State
Jack Schellenberg, Rhodes College
Boone
Rhys Woodrow, Miami
Dr. Phillips
Robert Stamm, Colgate
Maurice Jones, Missouri State
Evans
Jamichael Hill, South Dakota State
Omyry Hickson, Arkansas Tech
Carl Jean-Bart, Eastern Michigan
Jiah Walls, Sacramento State
Edgewater
(Signing ceremony Friday at the school)
Aiden Anderson, Mercer
Nick Collins Jr., Duquesne
Carter Emanuel, Colorado State
JJ Edwards, Miami
Ben Jones, Appalachian State
Michael McClenton, Appalachian State
Damian Moore, Duquesne
Luke Pastis, Air Force
Jones
Corey Brown, Florida
Dereon Coleman, Miami
Daionte Hicks, Alabama State
Larry Miles, Nebraska
Xavier Payne, Colorado
Jakahari Leonard, Tuskegee University
Lake Highland Prep
Will Wankelman, Denison College
Lake Mary
Richie Crouse III, West Florida
O’Shea Faison, Colgate
Oakley Foster, Harvard
Noah Grubbs, Notre Dame
Barrett Schulz, FIU
Lake Nona
DeAnthony Lafayette, Miami
Khalid Feliz, Georgia State
Mount Dora
Tymir Gaines, West Florida
Ocoee
Dariyon Gordon, Georgia Southern
Olympia
Ja’Cari Jackson, UCF
Orlando Christian Prep
Zeke Gunn, Marshall
Osceola
Amier Clarke, Georgia Tech
Ja’kyri Watson, USF
Oviedo
Dashon Febres, Central Michigan
Brock Joyce, Navy
Seminole
Rasheem Turner, Arkansas State
St. Cloud
Bryce Williams, Middle Tennessee State
Tavares
Izayia Williams, FSU
The First Academy
Chancellor Barclay, Clemson
Danny Odem, Nebraska
Devin Jackson, Oregon
Brian Williams Jr., Auburn
Kingston Shaw, Illinois
Demetrice McCray, Pittsburgh
Alex Willis, Georgia Tech
Blaze Jones, Air Force
Gerard Gearity, Colgate
Cashman McCoy, Eastern Michigan
West Orange
Devonte Anderson, Rutgers
Chakai Scott, Sacramento State
Windermere
CJ Bronaugh, Florida
Elijah Mosby, West Georgia
Winter Park
Ayden Pouncey, Notre Dame
Jordan Jackson, NC State
Decorie Johnson, Eastern Michigan
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.
