Six Killian Seniors Sign On National Early Signing Day

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Killian Manager Angel Herrera admitted that this senior class is personal to him. Herrera has been with these guys through tragedy personally and success professionally, and they embody the character and makeup of what the Cougars’ program is built on.

On Wednesday morning, six of those seniors signed their college letter-of-intent as part of National Early Signing Day. The players were honored in front of family, friends and faculty in a ceremony hosted by the voice of the Cougars and Miami Hurricanes Jaero Keesh at Killian High. Eddy Demurias signed with Florida, Frank Follaco to Jackson State University, Joey Gonzalez to Stetson University, Sebastian Gonzalez to ASA College, Ryan Granda to Jacksonville University and Keith Stevens to FAMU.

The team has a total of 11 commits, and all eight seniors are signing this year. Seniors Ryan Guzman and Vladimir Nunez are also engaged in the signing process and will sign later this year, while underclassmen Herbert Iser, Eddy Arteaga and Freddy Zamora have all also committed.

“The day is important and enjoyable and it is my favorite day of the year,” Herrera said. “But this year especially is important because of what it represents for these kids, and because it is these kids in particular. These kids have been the core of my program for the last few years, and a lot of them were playing since they were sophomores. They’ve been a big part of our success, and for them to get to today is amazing. It’s fulfilling, it’s rewarding and it’s something I’ll treasure.”

Herrera gave a lengthy and passionate speech detailing his relationship with each player. There was no doubt left for what a big moment this was for the Cougars skipper, as well as the guys who have been playing baseball together for most of their lives. The team has been successful on the field and in the classroom, and now they all were able to enjoy another big accomplishment together.

“To finally see us sign and reach our goals is fun,” Follaco said. “Coach has put in countless hours for us, calling coaches and helping us throughout these years. Now that we’ve signed we don’t have to focus on ourselves. Hopefully now we can just focus on baseball. This is a little more of an individual day, but we’re focused on team goals and that is what we work for everyday. We just have to focus on winning and the team.”

After signing together in unison, each player also gave a short speech. Players offered thanks and also offered support for their teammates enjoying the day with them.

“Oh my God, my speech was so bad. They showed me up in the speeches,” Follaco joked.

With it now official, players were also able to reflect on the destination ahead. For Sebastian Gonzalez, that means heading to ASA under new Manager and former Hialeah skipper Jonathan Hernandez.

“It’s exciting because it is something new and you are excited to see what it has in store for you,” Sebastian said. “With all of the kids I’ve seen play there and all of the games that I’ve seen it seems to be a good program and I am excited for it. Coach Hernandez has a lot of good accolades and I’m really happy to see what he can do with me to transform me into a better player.”

While the Cougars and many more of their peers across the county stamped their future college plans on Wednesday, they do so still well aware of where they are and what they still want to accomplish in their high school careers. Killian is hungry for a state title, and Early Signing Day helps to remind it that the talent is there and the time is nearly drawn to go out and compete for that goal.

“We didn’t start very good, but hopefully we are good now,” Joey Gonzalez joked during his speech. “Killian is all about togetherness and family, and winning.”

The college process can be a lengthy ride for many high school student-athletes, and there is no greater reward than making it official and ending that process. Guys can play looser and young men can start to plan their futures. National Early Signing Day culminates a chance for guys to celebrate that accomplishment together, and the 2015 class at Killian made full advantage of that Wednesday morning.

“Today was amazing and it was something I thoroughly enjoyed, but I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that there was a little bit of bittersweet to it,” Herrera said. “It’s bittersweet because it represents the corner being turned and the ending of their high school careers with us is near. That’s a day that I am definitely afraid of because I am having a blast coaching these guys.”

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