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Air Force Football Collects Certificates of Intent on National Signing Day

National signing day is different for the Air Force Academy and its football team. Because the process to get into the Academy is so much different than your typical college football team, the Falcons accept non-binding agreements from recruits.

Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

College football was buzzing today with the signings of Letter of Intents around the country. Class rankings were being announced and stars were being discussed everywhere in the nation. For followers of the Air Force Falcons however, today was just another typical day. Nowhere did you see some national superstar pull out an Air Force blue and silver hat and announce I am taking my talents to the Air Force Academy. Instead, there were announcements at local schools that would see players interested in playing for the Falcons signing Certificates of Intent.

What is the difference? A certificate of intent is a non-binding pledge to begin the process to be admitted to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. You don't qualify academically or get the endorsement of a United State Congressman to be admitted to the Academy and you can take your talents to another school without punishment or consequences of losing a year by having to sit out for your first season. Also, you won't see any finalized list from the Academy until players are cleared and admitted to the school this summer.

Current Air Force Certificates of Intent List (provided by 247 Sports and local media stories)

Ryan Brand

***

5'10

192

Detroit, MI (Univ. of Det. Jesuit)

QB

Nick Capella

***

6'5

276

Ventura, CA (St. Bonaventure)

T

Matt Gaiter

**

6'4

255

Littleton, CO (Chatfield)

DE

Corey Taylor

**

5'10

200

Tulsa, OK (Holland Hall)

RB

Ryan DeLung

**

6'3

275

Glendale, AZ (Mountain Ridge)

G

Tyler Vaught

**

6'1

170

Maryville, TN (Maryville)

QB

Jaylen Burgess

**

5'11

210

Maryville, TN (Maryville)

RB

Nick Searcy

**

6'2

280

Woodstock, GA (Etowah)

C

Dominieke Jones

**

6'1

165

South Jordan, UT (Bingham)

CB

Sam Barry

**

6'2

185

Grapevine, TX (Grapevine)

QB

Ronald Cleveland

**

5'10

170

Franklin, TN (Battle Ground Academy)

APB

Jeffrey Maycock

**

6'2

290

Gilbert, AZ (Williams Field)

DT

Dailen Sutton

**

6'

165

Dallas, TX (Bishop Dunne Catholic)

CB

Stone Miller

**

6'4

245

Mason, MI (Mason)

DE

Daniel Zivney

**

5'11

190

College Station, TX (A&M Consolidated)

K

Tristyn Hanson

**

6'2

215

Lakeville, MN (Lakeville North)

OLB

Parker Hammond

**

6'4

240

Colorado Springs, CO (Pine Creek)

TE

Campbell Clarkson

**

6'3

245

Houston, TX (St. Thomas)

T

Lesley Dalger

**

6'5

205

Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Westminster Academy)

WR

Gavin Graham

**

6'1

200

Austin, TX (Anderson)

S

Noah Hoxie

**

6'2

205

Knoxville, TN (Knoxville West)

OLB

Zack Honnold


5'10

203

Clermont, FL (East Ridge)

S

Lorenzo Thomas


6'2

220

Tulsa, OK (Union)

RB

Griffin Landrum


6'2

285

Cumming, GA (South Forsyth)

G

Kobey Eaton


6'3

185

Seattle, WA (Evergreen)

WR

Justin Agner


6'1

200

Woodstock, GA (Woodstock)

QB

Josh Rice


6'1

290

Orlando, FL (Lake Nona)

C

Malik Miller


5'10

200

Griffin, GA (Griffin)

RB

Harris Cannon


6'

215

Oviedo, FL (Oviedo)

FB

Arion Worthman


5'11

200

Normal, IL (Normal Community)

Ath

Curran Brandt


6'1

205

San Mateo, CA (Aragon)

RB/LB

As far as the class goes, it appears on paper to be a strong class for the Falcons if the athletes all qualify for the school. Starting with two 3-star athletes in quarterback Ryan Brand and offensive tackle Nick Capella, this class has some potential. The defensive backs are more of your average sized players with height and speed. Gavin Graham, who is the brother of Air Force Falcons basketball player Hayden Graham, leads the group that all average over 6' in height. That is size the Falcons have started to get more in the defensive backfield.

The Falcons have also committed to more size on the offensive and defensive lines. Capella is as highly ranked a player as the Falcons have had on the line in recent history. Players with the size like Griffin Landrum (285 lbs.), Josh Rice (290 lbs.) and Jeffrey Maycock (290 lbs.) were never recruited to the Academy before, but it is becoming a regular occurrence under Head Coach Troy Calhoun.