National Signing Day was about leaving the area for the city’s last two uncommitted prospects.
Tottenville running back Augustus Edwards, who de-committed from Syracuse last week in the wake of Doug Marrone and the coaching staff leaving for the Buffalo Bills, picked Miami over Florida State. Xaverian running back Laray Smith chose Indiana over Connecticut and Syracuse, where he also plans to compete on the track team.
In each instance, the player picked the school he visited over the weekend.
The speedy Smith went with Indiana, which offered him the opportunity to run track and play football.
He competed at the USATF Junior Olympics in July, was named an All-American in the 200 and 400 meters and registered the fastest 300-and-400 meter times in the country for a high school runner recently.
Though he never committed to Syracuse, Smith said had the staff remained intact, he would have joined them. Instead, he is headed to Bloomington.
“I had a great experience there. The atmosphere was great,” said Smith, who attended Indiana’s basketball game against Michigan on Saturday. “I met some of the team, they were good people. The team isn’t the greatest in the Big Ten, but people don’t realize you need playmakers. I know I can help. I’m excited.”
Edwards, a bruising 6-foot-3, 225-pound back and consensus three-star recruit, committed to Syracuse in July, but changed his mind after Marrone left the Orange and took lead recruiter John Anselmo with him.
A downhill runner who produced 868 yards and 10 touchdowns in seven games this year, Edwards was in Coral Gables, Fla., this past weekend and visited Florida State the previous weekend.
While at Miami, Edwards spent time with fellow Staten Island product, and former NFL star Adewale Ogunleye, who shared his own experiences at the school. Edwards will have a chance to play right away, as Miami has a need at his position.
* Edwards and Smith headlined an active day for locals. Nineteen city stars signed with Division 1 programs, and that didn’t include former Jefferson defensive end and All-American Ebenezer Ogundeko, who is already enrolled at Clemson. UConn was the big winner, landing Poly Prep’s Cameron Stapleton, Christ the King’s Jordan Fuchs and Beach Channel’s Folorunso Fatukasi.
* Josh Klecko, a defensive tackle from Red Bank Catholic (N.J.) and the son of Jets legend Joe Klecko, signed with Rutgers.