The college application process can be long and tedious, rewarding or depressing, but always full of anticipation.
For Mark Hogan, that anticipation was realized well ahead of National Signing Day, which officially began today at 7.
Hogan, Lincoln-Sudbury's all-time rushing and scoring leader, will sign a letter of intent with Brown, nearly a month after unofficially committing to his new Ivy League home.
That early decision was easy for Hogan, who was also looking at the University of New Hampshire and West Point.
"I felt most comfortable with Brown, everything from the coaching staff, academics, location, everything was pointing me in Brown's direction," Hogan said.
At 5 feet 11 inches and 185 pounds, the Dual County League Offensive Player of the Year and three-time DCL All-Star knew from the outset he was being recruited as a wide receiver.
"They run a great spread offense and I started playing wide receiver back when I was younger through middle school and I just felt really comfortable." Hogan said. "I knew my size at running back might be a little small for Division 1-AA."
Lincoln-Sudbury coach Tom Lopez is confident his three-year, two-way starter will excel at his new position.
"He's got very good speed and it's somewhat deceptive," Lopez said. "He's got outstanding instincts. I think Brown is a great spot for him. He's an Ivy League type kid and I think he'll settle in very well there."
Andover quarterback/kicker Mike Pierce had a different experience, committing last night to UNH.
"I hated the [the college process]," Pierce said. "It was kind of frustrating not knowing where I was going until the day before [National Signing Day]." Pierce was Merrimack Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and made visits to UNH and UMass-Amherst last week.
"I just wanted to play quarterback in college," Pierce said. "I didn't feel like I would have had a good chance at UMass. I thought I had a better shot in UNH's style of offense because they run the spread like I did [with Andover]. It will be a lot easier stepping in."
UMass was looking for Pierce to move into a defensive role as a safety or outside linebacker.
Andover coach Ken Maglio believes Pierce (6-0, 203) made the right choice.
"UNH is a good fit," Maglio said. "He's just like the Santos kids. He wants to play quarterback and a lot of people are saying he's too short. I think he can do it. He'll prove himself well. He's got all the tools."
Division 3 Player of the Year Bobby Tarr, who finished his career at Bishop Fenwick with 5,583 yards, third all time in state history, will play at Bentley. The leading scorer in EMass last season chose Bentley over Bryant, Marist, Trinity, and Stonehill.
"I felt like I fit in there," said Tarr. "It's a nice campus and I like the coaches."
Dartmouth tailback Jordan Todman, the state's second all-time leading rusher (5,779 yards) and Division 1 player of the year, will suit up for the University of Connecticut, joining Holliston running back Matt Edwards.
Chelmsford's Tim Rich, the Division 1A Player of the Year who led his team to a Super Bowl victory, remains undecided but will pursue his career in wrestling.
After rushing for 28 touchdowns, including four in Bishop Feehan's Division 2 Super Bowl victory, Nick Schwieger will enter the Ivy League ranks with Dartmouth.
Both All-Scholastic selections from BC High will play in college. Mitch McClune, who played running back and linebacker, will be heading to WPI. "I liked the campus a lot and I liked the football staff," he said.
His teammate, Tom Duffy, is headed to Colby. The hard-hitting linebacker and Catholic Conference MVP chose Colby over UMass-Amherst, Middlebury, and Bentley. "I just wanted to start something new," Duffy said.
Natick's All-Scholastic linebacker Michael Zambarano, who had 151 tackles last season, will attend Sacred Heart. "I really liked the Sacred Heart coaching staff, they were very forward and professional," he said. "They told me I could play right away. I wanted to be an impact player right away, and I feel like I can make an impact."
Quarterback Peter Kinchley, who led Swampscott to the Division 3 Super Bowl title, will attend Middlebury. Teammate Brian Palangi, an offensive lineman, chose Northeastern.
A trio of Brockton Boxers will continue their football careers. Darren Thellen (UMass-Amherst), Josh Previte (University of Rhode Island), and Andrew Jameson (Holy Cross) are expected to announce their intentions this morning.
Holliston running back/defensive back Matt Bellomo, who gained 2,353 all-purpose yards and was named the 2007 Gatorade Massachusetts Football Player of the Year, is committed to Holy Cross. Teammate Mike Stone, a tight end, chose Boston College.
In other signings, Rich Bell, a defensive tackle from Salisbury Prep, committed to Tulane. BB&N defensive standouts Nico Papas and Nick Halloran will attend Columbia and BC, respectively. Avon Old Farms running back Mike Cox will sign a letter of intent to play at Michigan tomorrow.
