Local Signing Day roundup: Woodberry star signs with Notre Dame

Wednesday was National Signing Day, the day in which the majority of college-bound football players sign their National Letters of Intent.

Locally, several athletes participated, sealing their collegiate football dreams.

Woodberry player signs with Notre Dame

Woodberry Forest star C.J. Prosise officially signed his Letter of Intent with Notre Dame on Wednesday.

The elite defensive back, who had six interceptions, four punter return touchdowns, one kick return for a score, three receiving touchdowns and 52 tackles this past season, is officially part of the Fighting Irish’s 2012 class.

“It was really exciting, ending this recruiting process,” Prosise said. “Notre Dame is a great accomplishment for me and my family, and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

Three things stood out to him about the school.

“Academics; my family loved it, and the tradition it has,” Prosise said. “Outside of football, there is just so much tradition at the school.”

Prosise expects to be at the school in early June with the hope of contributing early.

“We talked a lot about special teams, punt returns, kick returns,” Prosise said of his talks with the coaches. “They definitely want to put me somewhere at nickel back or safety. Maybe if I work hard enough, I will get some playing time [early].”

He is counting down the days to his early June arrival in South Bend.

“I’m very anxious,” Prosise said. “Right now, my schedule is go to school, track and be ready for Notre Dame.”

Goochland duo to play BCS conference football

Two of the special teams stars from Goochland are set to take their talent to the next level. Kicker Colby Cooke is heading to play in the Southeastern Conference for Vanderbilt.

Cooke, who is currently in Austin, Texas, playing in the Team USA vs. World game, made 17 of 21 field goals this season, with a long of 51 coming in the state title game, a 20-16 loss to Gretna.

A three-star prospect according to Rivals.com, Cooke will be on a full scholarship. This season, he had 50 kickoffs, 42 of which were for touchbacks.

The future Commodore signed his Letter of Intent on Wednesday on CBS Sports TV.

“It was different,” Cooke said of Signing Day. “I never had experienced something that big in my life before. It’s just exciting to finally seal the deal on the stage, on TV.”

Cooke had offers from Virginia and Richmond among others.

“Vanderbilt isn’t just a school that focuses on football,” Cooke said. “They focus on making a family out of all the players and the coaches, and playing in the best conference in the country in the SEC.”

The team's punter, Thomas Meadows, will be playing at Purdue and also signed on Wednesday.

“It was a great experience and it was great to see how many people congratulated me,” Meadows said of signing. “I feel great about Purdue. It has everything I wanted in a college, and I have a great opportunity to play as a freshman.”

Meadows, who will also be on a full scholarship, averaged 41 yards on his punts this season.

Other local signees

Buckingham County High School

QB Tarian Ayers — Virginia Military Institute

Charlottesville High School

QB Mason Sherry – Alderson-Broaddus (W.V.)

Fishburne Military School

DE Calvin Washington – Eastern Kentucky

Note: Washington is heading to EKU as a Junior College transfer after playing at Eastern Arizona College.

Fork Union Military Academy

OL John Tu’uta – North Carolina State

DL Conlan Cassidy – Indiana State