David Jones and Jason Boyce were looking for the perfect fit.
Last week on the Feb. 2 National Signing Day for student-athletes, both Kent-Meridian’s Jones and Kentwood’s Boyce found just that. Jones, a quarterback, chose Portland State University while Boyce, a wide receiver, selected Eastern Washington University.
“They want me to play as soon as possible, which means I have to get to business and be ready when I go down there,” said Jones, finished the regular season with 2,455 total yards to go along with 22 rushing touchdowns and nine passing scores. “This was just the best fit for what I can do.”
Eastern Washington was a natural choice for Boyce, whose older brother Aaron starred for four years with the Eagles.
“I felt it was a good fit for me and my family,” said Jason Boyce, who pulled in 24 receptions and six touchdowns for 497 yards in the fall. “Obviously my brother went there, so we’re familiar with the (school) and most of the coaches. We feel it would be a good fit for me. I think I will fit in with the team.”
Jason Boyce, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound wide receiver, was choosing between Central Washington, Pacific Lutheran and Eastern Washington. Older brother Aaron Boyce, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound wide receiver, ranks second in EWU history in pass receptions (222), pass-reception yards (3,330) and touchdown receptions (28).
“I didn’t talk to him too much about it. I didn’t want to influence him,” said Aaron. “He deserved it. I think it’s pretty cool he decided to go there.”
The younger Boyce insists he doesn’t feel any pressure to life up to his older brother’s performance.
“Not really. I see me and him as two different players,” said Jason, who will play at Eastern on a partial scholarship. “Coach (Beau) Baldwin said Aaron was seen as a wide receiver, that’s what he was going for when he went to Eastern. They said they could see me as a lot of different things, a tight end or playing on the defensive side of the ball.
“Aaron did great things and it would be nice to go in there and do the same.”
The choice of colleges wasn’t quite as cut and dry for Jones, who had been struggling mightily to make the final decision between Portland State and Eastern Washington University.
“I went back and forth, back and forth as to what was the best fit for me,” Jones said. “It boiled down to academics, and academics come first in my family. I have to be able to get a job after football. I need a backup plan if I don’t make it to the NFL.”
A quarterback at Kent-Meridian, it remains unknown as to what position Jones will play at Portland State. Eastern Washington was recruiting Jones simply as an athlete. In the fall, Jones was named the South Puget Sound League North Division’s Offensive Back of the Year after posting 2,455 yards of total offense. That number put Jones among the SPSL’s top 10 players all time in total offense.
“My goal (at Portland State) is to basically get a degree, that’s the most important thing,” said Jones, who will be on a full-ride scholarship. “I want to meet new people, and just enjoy college. You only get this opportunity once.”
Also joining Jones during signing day at Kent-Meridian was teammate wide receiver Brandon Harris, who committed to Central Washington University. Filling out the list of local football players who signed a letter-of-intent was Kentridge running back Cameron McKernan, a running back who signed on to play at the University of Idaho.
ALSO: Other signings last week included: Kiana Kraft (Kentwood girls soccer/Seattle University); Reiney Meyers (Kentwood girls soccer/Edmonds Community College); Rodney Greiling (Kentwood boys soccer/Florida International University); Kathryn Clayton (Kentridge girls soccer/Boise State).
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