Inderkum seniors Tyler Dean, CJ Spencer, Hailey Maxwell and Jordon Thomas at today’s signing ceremony with family members. / Photo by Trevor Horn
BY TREVOR HORN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz
Football teammates headed to college Tyler Dean, Hailey Maxwell, CJ Spencer and Jordan Thomas. / Photo by Trevor Horn
Four Inderkum seniors sat together in the middle of the school atrium Wednesday, fulfilling their dream to play college sports.
Seniors C.J. Spencer, Jordan Thomas, Tyler Dean and Hailey Maxwell all signed letters of intent on Feb. 5 for athletic scholarships to play their respective sports at four-year universities.
Spencer signed with UC Davis as a quarterback, Thomas is headed to Arizona State as a defensive back as is Dean, who will play for Southern Oregon University. All three were two-year starters for the Tigers, a team which went 20-6 during that span.
Maxwell, who will play women’s soccer at UC Riverside, was a member of the football team for two seasons at Inderkum as a place kicker.
“I am really excited because it means I’ve worked really hard for (the scholarship),” Maxwell said Wednesday.
For Spencer, finally ending the two-year recruiting process – which included hundreds of letters and phone calls from college coaches as well as college visits – comes as a relief. But he did enjoy the ride.
“It feels great,” Spencer said. “I’ve had a great time with the whole process.”
Spencer was named Tri-County Conference Offensive MVP after throwing for 1,724 yards and 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He was the only quarterback from the Sacramento area to sign a college scholarship on Wednesday after leading the Tigers to the TCC regular season title in the fall.
Playing close to home and a relationship with the Aggies coaching staff were top selling points for Spencer, who also had offers from University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Eastern Washington and Army.
“It was the coaching staff. They’ve been loyal to me,” Spencer said. “And it’s great (to stay close). I’m looking forward to everyone coming to the games.”
Inderkum football coach Terry Stark looks forward to becoming a regular at Aggie Stadium.
“With C.J. so close, we’ll find time,” Stark said.
For Dean and Thomas, signing day almost didn’t happen. Both players left Inderkum during the spring 2013 semester.
Thomas left in April as the result of a family move to the San Francisco Bay Area. A change of heart and another family relocation back to Natomas saw Thomas back at Inderkum by summer and in time to play his final high school season with teammates he calls his “brothers.”
Said Thomas, “I am just happy that I’m going to the school that I love and was there for me.”
Thomas was an all-league selection this fall.
Dean moved down to the Los Angeles during the spring semester in 2013 but also moved back over the summer. The senior rushed for 901 yards and scored 10 rushing touchdowns and scored another three on the receiving end from Spencer.
“Right now I’m excited,” Dean said. “I’m truly blessed to have this opportunity to have this moment to share this with my friends.”
There have been 21 football players from Inderkum who have signed college scholarships in the last six years, a number Stark is pleased with. All four who signed commitments on Wednesday have a grade point average over 3.0.
Said Stark, “The teachers, coaches, the administration and the school district here all have made it a priority to get our students in our community out (to colleges).”
Tyler Dean, Hailey Maxwell, CJ Spencer and Jordan Thomas sign commitments to play college sports while family members look on. / Photo by Trevor Horn
Tyler Dean, Hailey Maxwell, CJ Spencer and Jordan Thomas celebrate committing to play college sports with members of the Inderkum football coaching staff. / Photo by Trevor Horn
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