The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School imported an annual tradition from big-time college football recruiting on Wednesday as standout quarterback Randall Jette signed his intention to accept a full scholarship from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst during a ceremony in the high school gymnasium.
Family members and classmates cheered as Jette signed his papers and broke in a fresh new UMass cap on what is known as national signing day.
Jette, who amassed more than 1,800 yards through the air and on the ground this past season, may be the first Vineyarder to receive a football scholarship to a division 1A program if UMass makes the jump from 1AA to the Mid-America Conference, as Coach Donald Herman said he expected them to do.
“It’s a good fit,” said Mr. Herman. “The location is good, the school offers whatever he wants and it’s great football.”
Randall Jette, whose smile was as wide as the school’s field goal uprights on Wednesday morning, agreed.
“I’m excited, it’s the perfect fit, that’s why I’m happy,” he said. “The football, the school, the environment and the teammates that I’ve met are just like me.”
When the pomp and circumstance were over one question remained: How will next year’s team manage without a player whose name is spattered all over the Island record books?
“We’ll be okay,” Coach Herman said. “We’ve got a tough schedule but we’ll be okay.”
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