Student-athletes from Leesburg High School, Mount Dora Christian Academy, South Lake High School, The Villages Charter and South Sumter High School marked a major milestone Wednesday, officially signing to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level as part of 2026 National Signing Day.

The ceremonies celebrated years of dedication, discipline and hard work, with athletes surrounded by family members, coaches and teammates as they committed to programs across the country.

*We are trying to compile a complete list. If we missed anyone, please email us at cindy@akersmediagroup.com.

Leesburg High School

Football

• Dakari Conner — Culver-Stockton College

• Xavier Ford — Culver-Stockton College

Mount Dora Christian Academy

Softball

• Katie Bayly — Rutgers University

• Emmi Bowman — University of Notre Dame

• Lily Bryant — University of West Florida

• Raelyn Richardson — Seminole State College

Football/Track

• Roberto Castillo — Keiser University

Baseball

• Braden Warning — Erskine College

• Jake Hair — Southeastern University

• Jacob Calton — Tallahassee State College

South Lake High School

Football

• Jesse Barker Jr. — University of West Florida

• Tyger Darden — Erskine College

• Isaiah Desir — Southeastern University

• Isaiah Pina — Southern University

• Christian Taylor — Keiser University

Basketball

• Molly Burke — New College

Golf

• Hailey Bronson — Lake-Sumter State College

South Sumter High School

Football

• James “Bubba” Boone — Murray State University

• Damarion Daniel — University of West Florida

• Timothy “T3” Gaynor — Seton Hill University

Baseball

• Ismael Rodriguez — Wake Tech Community College

• Gabe Sabilona — Santa Fe State College

• Jackson Gill — John Melvin Christian College

• Marcelo Moreno — Claflin University

The Villages Charter

Football

• Brett Widmann  — Valdosta State

National Signing Day serves as a defining moment for student-athletes, officially securing their opportunity to compete at the next level while pursuing higher education. Coaches and school officials praised the athletes not only for their athletic achievements, but also for their commitment to academics and leadership within their school communities.