Sike! The Biggest Surprises in Signing Day History

Check out these high school athletes who shocked coaches and the media with their National Letters of Intent.

Feb 02, 2011
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Over

the years, National Signing Day has become the official benchmark by which we determine what college programs have the brightest futures. Throughout the day today,

the nation's top high school athletes will be signing National
Letters of Intent for college sports. But, as many coaches and the

media have discovered, 18-year-old young'ns can be deceptive. Whether

it's because of the influence of family members or under-the-table gifts

from athletic boosters, some kids have been prone to

pulling fast ones on the nation's top universities. So, as head

coaches prepare to change several pairs of underwear today (II),

check out the 10 Biggest Surprises in National Signing Day History...

Eric Dickerson, running back (1979)

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HOMETOWN: Sealy, Texas
SIGNED WITH: Southern Methodist University
COMPLEX SAYS: After receiving a brand new Trans-Am from Texas A&M and being from a region associated with the university, everyone assumed Dickerson was going to A&M. However, his grandmother preferred he go to SMU because she liked Ron Meyer and it's rumored that SMU helped pay off the car note on that Trans-Am. Homie was ridin' dirty, but the whip was clean.

Marcus Dupree, running back (1982)

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HOMETOWN: Philadelphia, Miss.
SIGNED WITH: Oklahoma
COMPLEX SAYS: The star running back originally committed to Texas before surprising many experts by signing with Oklahoma. Many believe his uncle convinced him to sign with the Sooners after receiving cash from the school. After clashing with coach Barry Swtizer and being unhappy with the Sooner football program, Dupree left Oklahoma during his sophomore season. For college athletes, mo' money = mo' problems.

Ricky Williams, running back (1996)

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HOMETOWN: San Diego
SIGNED WITH: Texas
COMPLEX SAYS: Ricky said he picked Texas over USC because he believed he would get more playing time. He was also impressed after seeing how large the offensive line would be next season. Guess things are bigger in Texas. Ayo!

Kevin Jones, running back (2001)

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HOMETOWN: Chester, Pa.
SIGNED WITH: Virginia Tech
COMPLEX SAYS: Being from Pennsylvania, many thought Jones would go to Penn State. He even pulled a Penn State jersey out at his press conference, only to say he wasn’t going to there and reveal his Virginia Tech jersey. #ColdBlooded

Lorenzo Booker, running back (2002)

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HOMETOWN: Ventura, Calif.
SIGNED WITH: Florida State
COMPLEX SAYS: Despite signing a letter of intent to commit to Notre Dame, Booker was signed by Florida State on National Signing Day. The Seminoles snagged the No. 1-rated player in the country with a last-minute visit by Bobby Bowden. Only in college football (and the Oval Office) can old men seem so smooth and convincing.

Haloti Ngata, defensive tackle (2002)

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HOMETOWN: Salt Lake City
SIGNED WITH: Oregon
COMPLEX SAYS: The No. 1 defensive player in the country had committed to BYU right up until National Signing Day, on which he revealed he would be attending Oregon. A last-minute visit to Oregon by his family and the influence of his Utah alum uncle (BYU’s interstate rival) are said to have played a part. We heard the real reason is he got tired of Mormon chicks and wanted some new birds.

Ryan Perrilloux, quarterback (2005)

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HOMETOWN: Reserve, La.
SIGNED WITH: LSU
COMPLEX SAYS: After being committed for months and confirming he was 100 percent positive on Texas, Perrilloux said on Signing Day that he didn’t want to sit behind Vince Young for two years, instead signing with LSU. After his sophomore season, Perrilloux was dismissed from the team for various rule violations. He later transferred to Jacksonville State. Dude should have taken notes from JaMarcus: You can't start fucking up till after you get that NFL loot.

LeSean McCoy, running back (2006)

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HOMETOWN: Harrisburg, Pa.
SIGNED WITH: Pitt
COMPLEX SAYS: After backing out on his commitment to Miami, and flirting (II) with Penn State, McCoy ultimately signed with Pitt. He made his decision after a last-minute visit to Pitt the weekend before signing day. Dude's nickname is "Shady," what did Miami and and Penn State expect?

Joe McKnight, running back (2007)

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HOMETOWN: River Ridge, La.
SIGNED WITH: USC
COMPLEX SAYS: Many dubbed USC's signing of McKnight the "Bayou Brink's Robbery," and the senior's high school marching band was even booed during a Mardi Gras parade. The running back said he preferred USC’s pedigree of Heisman running backs. In true USC style, they also guaranteed loot and a bad bitch like
Kim K. We kid.

C.J. Johnson, linebacker (2011)

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HOMETOWN: Philadelphia, Miss.
SIGNED WITH: Ole Miss
COMPLEX SAYS: After interviews like this, many thought that C.J. just didn’t like Ole Miss and would inevitably go to Mississippi State. However, after being berated on Facebook by Mississippi State fans, he uncommitted and is going to Ole Miss. Social networking FTW.

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