Five football players from College of the Canyons (COC) signed their National Letters of Intent last week during the NCAA’s early signing period, according to COC officials.

The five commits include Canyons offensive tackle Kilian Zierer, center Jordan Palmer, defensive tackle Jack Schultz, safety Tre Vallar and linebacker Tyler Richardson.

Each of the five student-athletes is now set to join a Division 1 college football program beginning in the fall.

Zierer, who had already verbally committed to Auburn University in the summer of 2019, was the first to officially sign as he fulfilled his commitment and signed his letter of intent with the university from his hometown of Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn, Germany.

The international student only began his football career last year when he moved across the world to join the COC football team. He went on to become one of the top junior college offensive tackle recruits in the nation.

Upon joining the Auburn Tigers, Zierer will become the third COC player to join a school in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) since 2017, following defensive end Dorian Gerald at the University of Arkansas and offensive lineman Carlton Lorenz at Vanderbilt University.

The other four athletes signed in a brief ceremony in front of the COC Athletic Department’s Hall of Fame wall.

Palmer is set to join the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Blue Raiders in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Ranked as the No. 2 junior college center in the nation, Palmer was an accomplished two-sport athlete at COC. 

In addition to his football accolades, Palmer was named the Western State Conference (WSC) Co-Field Athlete of the Year last spring for his performance in the shot put, where he won conference and regional titles, and finished as the runner-up at the state championships.

Palmer can expect to find a familiar face on the roster, as MTSU brought in former COC wide receiver Jarrin Pierce during the 2018 early signing period.

Schultz is on his way to Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, where he’ll join the Wildcats in the Southland Conference. 

A team captain for COC in 2019, Schultz racked up 39 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss on his way to earning National Division, Northern League Second-Team honors.

The Wagner College Seahawks in Staten Island, New York were able to sign two members from the Cougar roster, Richardson and Vallar.

Vallar, another of the Cougars’ team captains this season, finished the season with 25 tackles from the safety position. Richardson was productive for the defense as well, as he came in with the third-most tackles for his team this season with 53 total takedowns, and added two forced fumbles and five tackles for loss.

The addition of these five players makes it 104 players to date that have moved onto four-year schools under Head Coach Ted Iacenda’s tenure, which began in 2013, according to COC officials.

KHTS Sports is your place for the 2019 Santa Clarita high school football season and your Santa Clarita Dodgers coverage. Find all the latest news and updates on your hometown schools here as they compete in the Foothill League, Heritage League, Western State Conference and GSAC.