Volusia-Flagler football stars join colleges on early signing day

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Volusia-Flagler football stars join colleges on early signing day

PORT ORANGE — It was only Dec. 2, but the excitement reminded Chadwicke Cannon of a holiday.

“Last night, before I went to sleep, it felt like Christmas Eve,” he said. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s really happening!’”

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, Cannon joined fellow Spruce Creek seniors Freddie Wilson, Cameron Oxendine and Xavier Lucas in signing with college football programs. The Hawks held a ceremony in their gymnasium as the three-day early signing window opened.

Cannon became the Volusia-Flagler area’s only power-conference football pledge this year. He inked the paperwork for Duke. Wilson is headed to Georgia State, and Oxendine and Lucas will stay close to home and suit up for Bethune-Cookman.

Spruce Creek's Chadwicke Cannon (Duke), Cameron Oxendine (Bethune-Cookman), Xavier Lucas (Bethune-Cookman) and Freddie Wilson (Georgia State) stand together for a photo after their college football signing ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.

“I loved the coaches, the facilities, the people there, of course,” Cannon said. “I just felt a special connection with them. It was the only school I visited. But I felt like that was it, that was my home.”

As a senior, the defensive lineman registered 85 tackles, including 20 for loss, and five sacks. The 6-foot-2, 275-pounder earned a three-star prospect rating. He committed to the Blue Devils in March.

Wilson, meanwhile, didn’t decide on Georgia State until this week. He announced his decommitment from Georgia Tech with a social media post Tuesday.

Another three-star defensive lineman, Wilson posted 70 tackles and two sacks as a senior. His measurables: 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds.

“It feels great, man,” Wilson said. “The recruitment process was a very hard process for me as an athlete and a student. It just feels great to seal the deal.”

Oxendine starred as one of the area’s best playmakers this fall. He racked up 1,165 receiving yards and 305 return yards, scoring 17 touchdowns.

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound wide receiver committed to Bethune-Cookman in November.

“It feels pretty good, waking up knowing I’m going to a good school,” Oxendine said. “I feel like I’m going to do really good there. I feel like I’m going to produce. Just come in, work hard and do what I can to be a better player.”

Lucas has been tied to the Wildcats since July. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back made 29 tackles and broke up three passes during his senior campaign.

“Out of all the schools, they’re the one that took me in as family,” he said. “They showed me around. Then, the community — my family originated from Cookman. A rich family history. So all of those (factors) just make it a perfect option.”

Mainland celebrates signings of Dennis King III, Stephone Ross and Kaiya Brown

Mainland gymnast Kaiya Brown (Temple) and football players Dennis

DAYTONA BEACH — Across town Wednesday, Mainland celebrated three signings.

Football players Dennis King III and Stephone Ross and gymnast Kaiya Brown formally announced their college destinations.

King had 29 Division I offers from across the country, but the three-star linebacker put pen to paper with the school that offered him first — South Florida.

“To be real, South Florida kept it the main thing, kept everything the same since day one,” he said.

King, a contributor in Mainland’s run to a state title in 2023, had 117 tackles, five tackles for loss and two interceptions during his senior season. Now the player nicknamed “Tank” has his sights set on the postseason with the Bulls, who hired their new head coach, former Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, earlier in the morning.

Ross was the second member of the Buccaneers’ defensive front to sign.

The three-star defensive lineman signed with Georgia Southern next to his grandparents and in front of a host of supporters donning Eagles gear.

“Once I got there, the coaching staff, they just really loved on me,” Ross said. “And the atmosphere, the fans, they’re really just like a family.”

Ross had 12 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in 2025. He doubled as an offensive lineman.

Brown started gymnastics by attending mommy-and-me classes when she was 1 year old. She became a competitive gymnast at 6 and has trained around 25 hours a week since then.

All the “blood, sweat and tears” paid off when she signed her letter of intent to Temple University.

“It means everything,” Brown said. “It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I’ve always wanted to be a collegiate gymnast, and so achieving that dream has been really amazing.”

Brown trains at Palm Coast Gymnastics since the Florida High School Athletic Association doesn’t offer the sport.

New Smyrna Beach’s Mason Riddle signs with Air Force

Mason Riddle hails from a military family. His parents were in the navy. His older siblings are active duty now.

So Wednesday felt right. The New Smyrna Beach senior signed to study and play football at the Air Force Academy.

“Coming from a military family, I know the benefits that come with it, especially coming out of an academy, of course being able to be a second lieutenant officer when you graduate,” Riddle said. “I’m looking forward to the benefits and the career that come with it, so that’s what made me decide.”

Riddle will line up as a tight end for the Falcons. During his senior season, his lone campaign at New Smyrna Beach, he caught six passes for 32 yards and added four tackles and one sack. He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 235 pounds.

Riddle committed to Air Force in June.

“The recruitment process is very stressful,” he said, “so to be able to have that stress off your plate and officially have a home, it’s a blessing, for sure.”

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia-Flagler football recruits join colleges on early signing day

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