For those hoping there was something to the social media buzz claiming Sickles' Ray Ray McCloud III might be changing his mind and was ready to shock the world by choosing USF, well, your window was open for about 60 seconds.
McCloud said he woke up at 7 a.m., and by 7:01 his letter of intent was being slipped into the fax machine by his mother making, official what he told everyone during a 30-minute cable television special dedicated to his decision three months ago: He was going to Clemson.
But it wasn't easy. A star since he was a kid and arguably one of the most popular players to ever play in Tampa Bay, McCloud even described the moment as bittersweet, as mounting pressure from local fans and coaches to switch to USF caused him some indecision.
"It was a bittersweet feeling, because you feel like you're disappointing some people,'' said McCloud, Hillsborough County's all-time leading rusher, who said he shut his phone off the last two days so he could think clearly about his decision.
The temptation to stay close to home and be viewed as a program savior was strong, but so was McCloud's will.
"At the end of the day it's my choice, and Clemson is the right fit for me,'' he said.
McCloud is expected to play running back and slot receiver at Clemson. At Sickles, he rushed for 1,933 yards last season, setting the county mark which now stands at 5,765. He also scored 60 touchdowns.
Cain true to Clemson
Tampa Bay Tech QB Deon Cain was recruited as one of the top wide receivers in the nation, and the 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior had more than 20 offers. More than eight months ago Cain committed to Clemson, but that didn't mean it was smooth sailing from there.
Cain took visits after his verbal commitment to the Tigers, including one to Auburn last weekend. Many Tampa Bay area players were headed to Auburn, so Cain wanted to check it out for himself.
The visit reaffirmed his first love.
"It was nice down there. I had a great visit. It showed me a different opportunity," said Cain, who signed with Clemson. " I knew I could have felt good in their program, too, but I still wanted to be committed to Clemson."
Tampa Bay Tech coach Jayson Roberts had a conversation with Cain, who passed for 1,065 and rushed for nearly 1,900 more while leading the Titans to their first region final berth this past season, during the recruiting process about the importance of keeping his pledge to the Tigers.
Clemson chose him, Roberts reminded him, so he should be true to his word.
"Me and him talked a long time about what the word 'commitment' meant," Roberts said. "He understood it, and it was something he wanted to stand by."
Baity gets emotional
Before announcing his formal commitment to Kentucky, Plant DB Derrick Baity stood before a crowd gathered in the school's media center to say a few words. He thanked the people in his life who got him to that day, and the list was so long, it took several minutes to get through.
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Explore all your optionsBaity, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound senior, said he struggled through his four years at Plant, academically and at home. That, he said, made Wednesday's signing day ceremony all the more special.
Baity choked up while addressing the crowd, but coach Robert Weiner said that's not normal for Baity, who is usually seen with a smile on his face.
"Derrick loves everything," Weiner said. "I always said Derrick's recruitment is going to be like Peyton Manning vs. Drew Brees — whoever has the ball last (will win). Kentucky had the last visit."
Baity's decision came down to USF and Kentucky, and he didn't make the final decision until Tuesday morning, he said. In the end, Baity said, he was ready for a new environment.
"After my visit to Kentucky it made me think, I want to start a new life," he said. "Kentucky Wildcats, you've got a new family member."
Staff writer Kelly Parsons contributed to this report.