Signing Day: Area athletes wake up to the 'dream'

By Mikey Gonzalez

Posted 9:19PM on Wednesday, February 4, 2015

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mikey Gonzalez is a senior at Gainesville High that has already experienced an incredible season on the gridiron in in his one and only starting campaign. Now the Red Elephants standout is pursuing a collegiate career in either football or baseball. He watched his older brother, David, go on to a Division I career in baseball (University of Georgia) and has watched teammates go through the recruiting process at all levels of collegiate football -- including his predecessor at quarterback for the Red Elephants in current Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. With National Signing Day on tap Wednesday, we asked Gonzalez to give his thoughts on the recruiting process, what he's experienced and just how incredible this day is for athletes throughout northeast Georgia and the nation. National Signing Day is something I have been a part of for four years now. There have been different situations, but they all come down to the same principles: signing a piece of paper that will determine the next four years of your life. It is something I have dreamed about doing ever since I was little, but to see my brother and teammates accomplish their goals makes me just as happy. I have been teammates with so many amazing athletes and signing day is the moment where they finally seal the deal. My first time I ever saw the recruiting process was when my brother, David Gonzalez, was getting recruited by colleges to pitch. The day that colleges could call him was the day I got the real experience and craziness of college recruiting. He would get calls at the most unexpected times just asking if he would come on a visit and how much they want him to go their school. There were many nights of family talks just talking over the offer he had just received and if he should commit. We realized quickly that the coaches will do anything to get you at their school. I went on every visit he went to and got the full-on experience of the way they tried to attract players. The day he decided to verbally commit was a big day in his life. Nothing is set in stone, but he finally accomplished his dream. He went on to sign for the University of Georgia -- and still loves it. On the teammate side, I am blessed to have played with some of the biggest recruits in the state of Georgia and even the nation. Deshaun Watson and Chris Williamson are two of the best people I have played with, but had completely different paths to signing day. Deshaun had been highly recruited ever since he was a sophomore in high school. Every college wanted to offer him early because they knew he was going to be a star. Deshaun verbally committed to the University of Clemson as a sophomore, but that didn't stop other colleges from recruiting him. Calls flooded in from the biggest schools in the country that wanted the number one quarterback in the nation on their team. He stuck with his verbal commit and signed to Clemson on National Signing Day. Chris, on the other hand, had a tougher road to go through. He had to battle injuries his entire junior year and had only one offer going into his senior year. After the season, he blew up. This shows me that I have to stay patient and wait on my time. Chris verbally committed to the University of Florida and plans to sign on National Signing Day. These three players have showed me what hard work is. I saw it first-hand from all of them in the classroom, practice field, and outside of school. They all show a great attitude and have a plan and won't let anything get in the way of that. All of them have stayed up late working out or doing something to accomplish their dream. Signing day is a huge day that takes the stress away from this crazy process. It is just a huge relief that, OK it is finally over now; I have made it! Being a part of signing day has been a goal of mine ever since I was little. Seeing all of my brothers sign has been a huge motivation to me and my process. I know I have not got the attention I would like, but I just have to stay patient and my time will come. I received my first football offer (Monday, Feb. 2 from Huntingdon in Alabama), and it was a huge relief that I have a school that wants me to play for them. I know now that I will have a home for the next four years and eventually have my own -- even though I have decided against making a final decision on Wednesday (NOTE: Players may choose to delay signing a National Letter of Intent). That is truly a dream come true. This whole experience is something I will never forget and I love being apart of it in some way. I am not going to take full part in National Signing Day on Feb. 4 because I am still going to see what opportunities I can receive in football and even baseball. My baseball coach, Jeremy Kemp, is trying to get numerous schools to come watch me pitch, and my football coaches are trying to get colleges to recruit me and offer me more scholarships. The latest signing day for football is April 1. I will not have to have my decision made until that day where I can sign for football, or baseball. Pursuing that goal is a process but one that I have enjoyed. -- Stay tuned today as we bring you reactions and coverage from athletes making their collegiate choices from throughout northeast Georgia, including FCA Signing Day 2-15 from Longstreet Cafe -- which will also be broadcast live on 1240 AM ESPN Radio.