Column: Twas the night before signing day ...

'Twas the night before signing day, soon their names they’d be writing
Not a creature was stirring, ’cept for those still deciding.
The pens were laid out, with tender loving care,
In hopes that their letters of intent, soon would be there.

Vernon Hargreaves III was nestled all snug in his bed,
While visions of intercepting Aaron Murray next year danced in his head.
Alvin Bailey was deciding on a hat, and should he wear it?
Excited that next year he’d be teammates with Jordan Sherit.

When next to the bed, there arose such a clatter,
Ernest Suttles sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
He looked at the phone, to see why it hissed
Just another text, from a recruiting analyst

The moon was so bright, it created such a gleam
That it was keeping him awake, so up rose Ryan Green
When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,
The Griffin twins, offering him some UCF gear

But Green said he’s solid, no point in trying to lure,
He’s committed to being teammates with Jeremy Kerr
Besides, you have Pete DiNovo, now I’m going back to bed
Big day tomorrow, big things ahead.

Further north slept a Breida, and a Hambrick and Bronson
Further south, snoozing away, were four kids, last name Johnson
There’s Benjamin, squared, convinced their schools fit just right
Zach is headed for USF, to join Godwin, Sanchez and Wright

Today’s the day for Wes Bullock, and a day for Mike Love,
For guys like Bruce Hector, it’s like a gift from above.
If Leon McQuay III were here, I bet he’d be jammin’,
Guess we’ll leave that for the big boys, like Madison and Salmon.

It’s Navy for Will Worth, and Bama for Jeremiah Green,
It isn’t about school size, but rather all points in between.
It’s a day for our best to remember and cherish,
Whether you’re Anclote’s Terrell Martin, or Hillsborough’s Nigel Harris.

Now remember, adults, let’s not get mad and be bitter
If a kid picks differently, just back away from your Twitter
Let the experts add the stars, rank classes from best down to worst
But before all of that, it’s first things first:

“Now, Stevenson! Now, Valdes! Now, Bostick from Plant!
On Covington! On Ivie! On Adams and Grant!
To the top of the podium! The very best who played ball
Now sign away! Sign away! Sign away all!”

Times’ Tampa Bay top 25
1. Vernon Hargreaves III, Wharton    CB    5-11/185     Florida
2. Ryan Green, St. Petersburg Cath.    RB    5-10/187     Florida St.
3. Leon McQuay III, Armwood    DB    6-2/175     USC
4. Alvin Bailey, Armwood    WR    5-11/170     Florida
5. Joey Ivie, Pasco    DL    6-5/270    Florida
6. Jordan Sherit, Hillsborough    DE    6-4/230     Florida
7. Paris Bostick, Plant    DB    6-1/203    Georgia
8. Janarion Grant, Pasco    ATH    6-0/185     Rutgers
9. Ernest Suttles, Gaither    DE     6-5/240     Nebraska
10. Mike Love, Countryside    DE    6-4/205    USF
11. Travis Johnson, Jesuit    WR    6-4/200    Undecided
12. Rodney Adams, Lakewood    WR    6-1/166     Undecided
13. Shaquill Griffin, Lakewood    DB     6-0/184     UCF
14. Robert Davis, Carrollwood Day    RB    5-7/160     Undecided
15. Richard Benjamin, TBT    ATH    6-1/173     Louisville
16. Mike Stevenson, CCC    S     6-0/175     Wake Forest
17. Devyn Salmon, Plant City    DT     6-2/277    Michigan St.
18. Nate Godwin, Freedom    DB     6-0/190    USF
19. Nigel Harris, Hillsborough    LB    6-2/195    USF
20. Pete DiNovo, East Lake    QB    6-1/190     UCF
21. Marquez Valdes, Lakewood    WR    6-3/195    Undecided
22. Justin Madison, Robinson    OLB    6-4/205    Iowa State
23. Shaquem Griffin, Lakewood    DB     6-1/183      UCF
24. Jeremy Kerr, St. Petersburg     TE     6-6/254     Florida St.
25. Bruce Hector, Robinson    G    6-2/270     USF

John C. Cotey can be reached at cotey@tampabay.com or on Twitter @JohnnyHomeTeam.