A number of Santa Clarita high school athletes signed their National Letters of Intent in recent weeks, officially committing themselves to the colleges where they’ll continue their sports careers.

The announcements have trickled in during the lead-up to college football’s early National Signing Day on Wednesday.

National Signing Day is typically the first day a high school senior can officially sign a ‘National Letter of Intent,’ which is a more binding commitment than the verbal commitment athletes can make prior to signing day.

Officially, Wednesday was the start of the ‘Early National Signing Day’ for Division 1 college football. However, many athletes from across other sports also signed that day.

There are different schedules for when a player can commit. While basketball and football have their own unique schedules, all other sports were allowed to begin to accept national letters of intent as early as Nov. 11 all the way through Aug. 21, 2021.

Two Santa Clarita football players made their commitment official, former Hart offensive lineman Justin Curtis, who transferred to play football at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for the fall semester and West Ranch quarterback Walker Eget,

Curtis received twenty scholarship offers but settled on Division 1 Wagner University in Staten Island, New York, where he committed on Wednesday.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my family and friends. They have been there for me every step of the way. Without them, the opportunities I have been given wouldn’t be possible. Also, I would like to thank all the coaches that have helped me along the way,” said Curtis. “Whether it be my high school coaches who pushed me to strive for greatness or the college coaches who’ve given me opportunities to further my career.”

Curtis is expected to return to Hart High in January to continue the 2021 spring academic semester and graduate.

Eget affirmed his earlier verbal commitment to San Jose State University with the signing of his official letter of intent.

Eget, a three-star recruit according to 24/7 Sports, finished his 2019 season with 3,250 yards, 40 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 220 of 330 passes (58 percent completion rate) in 13 games and helped lead his team to the semifinals of the Division 7 CIF-Southern Section playoffs..

Hart High School baseball outfielder Hunter Pohl signed his letter of intent to join the program at North Carolina Wesleyan College on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

Pohl exemplifies the unique experience high school athletes, and particularly those in spring sports, have had over the six months since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the challenge presented to college programs in recruiting with minimal on-field play with which to evaluate players, as Pohl logged only four games played in the 2019-2020 season.

In his last full season as a sophomore on junior varsity, Pohl put up a .433 batting average and scored 23 runs.

Valencia High School senior basketball point guard Noah Veluzat committed to Point Loma Nazarene University on Nov. 15, four days into the early signing period for Division 1 basketball.

Getting a free education while playing the sport you love is an amazing opportunity. Congratulations Noah!! https://t.co/OYlw9ee1q9

— Valencia Basketball (@ValenciaHoops) November 16, 2020

The Saugus High School softball program boasts three committed players this year, who each signed their letters of intent on Nov. 11.

Senior outfielder Allie Enright committed to the University of Arizona, while infielder Mckenna Gibson and first baseman Gracie Keene expect to continue their playing careers as teammates at the next level with their individual commitments to the University of Tennessee.

We’ve got 3️⃣ making it official on National Signing Day! Congratulations Allie, McKenna & Gracie! #saugussoftball #saugusstrong #D1Cents #beardown #rockytop #nsd pic.twitter.com/K7kgW2VB0w

— Saugus Softball (@SaugusSoftball1) November 12, 2020

Much like Pohl, class of 2021 softball players have suffered from a lack of opportunity to display their ability last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however that did not deter these top tier programs from signing these standout Centurions.

Golden Valley High School also had three athletes sign letters of intent this year on Nov. 18, two for track and field and one from the girl’s soccer team.

Madelynn Williams signed her letter of intent to join the Azusa Pacific University women’s soccer program.

From the track and field team, sprinter Jalen Davis and mid-distance runner Antonio Abrego signed with Sacramento State University and the University of Iowa, respectively, to continue their track careers.

In addition to the commitments from high school seniors in Santa Clarita, others have announced offers but not yet formally signed a letter of intent.

Canyon High School senior defensive end Felix Garcia announced he had received his first scholarship offer on Wednesday, from McPherson College in Kansas.

Standout Valencia High School junior wide receiver Zamondre Merriweather, who is perhaps the most highly rated recruit in Santa Clarita at present, has already received multiple offers from Division 1 programs.

Most recently, Merriweather received an offer from Florida State University, which he announced Dec. 4.

KHTS Sports is your place for 2020 Santa Clarita high school sports and Los Angeles 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.