Mason & BJ's Early National Signing Day Stops
- Mason Byers
- Dec 4
- 7 min read
On Wednesday, several Arizona high school football players signed their National Letters of Intent to the colleges where they will further their athletic careers.
Here are some of the AZHS football players we watched sign today and yesterday:
All photos are free to view and download.
Cactus Shadows
QB Donivan Dixon - NAU
The Cactus Shadows four-year starting QB Donivan Dixon officially put ink to paper to make him a part of the NAU team for the 2026 season.
Dixon said he fell in love with the city of Flagstaff as soon as he set foot in town and has built a great relationship with NAU’s staff.
“If you go down to the city, a lot of people automatically fall in love with it,” Dixon said. “Whatever I need, [the NAU staff] got me.”
During his four-year career, Dixon holds multiple records for Cactus Shadows and was one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks Arizona has seen in recent memory.
He finished his high school career with 9,764 passing yards, 4,110 rushing yards, and 147 total touchdowns.
Looking back, Dixon is grateful that he chose to play at Cactus Shadows and all the memories and relationships he has built.
“I’m grateful for everything,” Dixon said. “I’m beyond grateful for the city of Cave Creek and everything that they’ve brought.”
Mountain View Mesa
QB Brady Goodman - Utah State
Making Mountain View a football school again in his time there, Brady Goodman excelled in high school and will get to play on Saturdays next year.
Goodman signed with Utah State to further his football career after a memorable high school one.
In 2024, Goodman led Mountain View to a 6A state championship game appearance. In his senior season, he threw for 28 TDs and 2,256 yards while rushing for several more.
It was bittersweet for Goodman as he worked hard to be able to play at the next level, but also reflecting on all the memories he made at Mountain View.
“These past four years, the memories I made with you guys, it's been so fun,” Goodman said to his teammates in attendance for his signing day. “I’m gonna really miss these times.”
Mesa
TE Caleb Tafua - Texas A&M
Caleb Tafua’s journey in Arizona was different from others.
He transferred midseason from California to Arizona to play for the Mesa Jackrabbits.
In his short time with Mesa, though, he was dominant.
In seven games, Tafua hauled in 54 catches for 703 yards and six touchdown catches, as well as contributed to a playoff push with Mesa.
Moving on to the next chapter of his life, Tafua will play SEC football as he signed his NLI to play with Texas A&M next season.
Hamilton
LB Beau Jandreau - Oklahoma
One of the leaders of Hamilton’s defense the last few seasons has been Beau Jandreau.
Jandreau manned the middle of the field for a successful Hamilton defense the last couple of years.
In his high school career, he finished with 142 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, and one interception.
Now playing at the next level, Jandreau will suit up for the Oklahoma Sooners next season and will look to make an immediate impact on one of the best college teams in the country.
DB Niko Jandreau - Oklahoma
Like his twin brother, Beau, Niko Jandreau was a staple in the consistent success of Hamilton as seen over the past few seasons.
Jandreau played a key role in the secondary during his time with the Huskies.
In his high school career, he totaled 106 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 17 pass deflections, and three interceptions.
Niko also signed his NLI on Wednesday to play for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he will get to play tough SEC football on Saturdays starting next season.
DB Marquis Richardson - Hawaii
Another defensive player who signed their NLI from Hamilton on Wednesday was Marquis Richardson.
Richardson was a key component ofHamilton's defense since he stepped foot on campus.
He finished his high school career at Hamilton with 187 total tackles, 29 pass deflections, and three interceptions.
Next season, Richardson will be playing at Hawaii and stated in a social media post on X that he is “Back Home.”
DB Xavion Brazil - NAU
Going a few hours up north next season to play at NAU is Xavion Brazil.
Brazil played defensive back for Hamilton and earned himself a chance to play at the next level with his play with the Huskies.
In his senior season, he had 23 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and three pass deflections.
Staying home, Brazil will look to make an impact for an emerging NAU team.
OL Rex Waterman - Nebraska
One of the best offensive line recruits from Arizona is none other than Rex Waterman.
Waterman played a key role in his time at Hamilton, especially in 2025.
Hamilton had one of the best offenses in Arizona this season, and it started in the trenches, led by Waterman.
On Wednesday, Waterman signed his NLI to play Big 10 football at Nebraska next season.
Basha
QB Brodie Vehrs - Oklahoma State
Brodie Vehrs was given the keys to a prominent team with Basha, and he did not disappoint.
In his time with Basha, Vehrs threw for 4,447 yards, 45 touchdowns, and only five interceptions.
Vehrs also found success in terms of winning with Basha as they will be competing in the Open Division championship this Saturday against Chandler.
Hoping to bring that success with him to college, Vehrs signed his NLI with Oklahoma State on Wednesday, flipping from North Texas after HC Eric Morris left the Mean Green for Oklahoma State earlier this week.
WR Kash Brock - Iowa State
Becoming one of the lead targets for Basha over the past few seasons has been Kash Brock.
Brock has proven to get better season after season, which has allowed him to play football at the next level.
He enters Saturday’s Open Championship with 1242 receiving yards and 15 touchdown catches in his HS career.
Brock signed his NLI to play with Iowa State (flipping a few weeks ago from Colorado State) where he hopes to be an immediate impact player for a solid Big 12 program.
ATH Mason Lewis - Vanderbilt
Mason Lewis transferred from Casteel to Basha and made an immediate impact.
He played a key role in their success this season as the defensive unit for Basha has helped lead them to the Open Division championship game.
Going into Saturday, Lewis has 120 tackles, 17 pass deflections, and two interceptions in his high school career in addition to what he did offensively at RB and WR while at Casteel.
Lewis will now play for Vanderbilt (flipping from Cal earlier in the season) at the collegiate level and will look to be a great addition on the defensive side.
LB Eli Cramer-Cronin - New Mexico
One of the most crucial pieces to the recent success of Basha has been Eli Cramer-Cronin.
He has been one of the most consistent players in the state of Arizona, which earned him a chance to play at the D-1 level.
In his high school career, Cramer-Cronin had 413 total tackles, 17.5 sacks, and four interceptions.
Cramer-Cronin signed his NLI to play at New Mexico next season.
DB Xavier Rivera-Rogers - New Mexico
Joining Cramer-Cronin at New Mexico next season is his current Basha teammate, Xavier Rivera-Rogers.
Rivera-Rogers is a tall defensive back, listed at 6’3 180 pounds, and one of the better defensive back recruits from Arizona this season.
As a senior in eight games, he had 15 total tackles and six pass deflections and was a key piece to Basha’s great defense this year.
Rivera-Rogers signed his NLI to play at New Mexico in 2026.
DB Kaleb Garcia - Air Force
One of the better defensive players this season for Basha, Kaleb Garcia, will get to play D-1 football next year.
Kaleb Garcia is one of the leaders on Basha’s defense and flashed in his senior season.
In 2025, Garcia had 32 total tackles, four pass deflections, and two interceptions in just nine games.
Garcia will be playing next season at Air Force, where he hopes to be an impact player on day one.
LB/DE Dante Bruley - Wyoming
Arguably the best comeback story of the year was Dante Bruley.
After tearing his ACL in the first quarter of the first game in 2024, Bruley was an offensive lineman's worst nightmare when he lined up across from them in 2025.
In his senior season, Bruley has an outstanding 16 sacks and 32 tackles for loss with the Open Championship still left to play.
Heading to Wyoming, Bruley will hope to replicate his elite pass-rushing next season at the D-I level.
DB Kaedyn Smith - Idaho State
Another great defensive back that signed their NLI was Kaedyn Smith.
Smith plays safety for Basha and has played very well with his time for the Bears.
In his high school career, Smith has 101 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, and one interception.
Smith will continue his playing career next season in the Big Sky Conference when he suits up for the Idaho State Bengals.
DB Kaden Williams - Southern Utah
The other senior safety for Basha, Kaden Williams, also signed his NLI to play college football next season.
Williams, like the other Basha senior defensive backs, was a crucial component to their run to the Open Division championship this season.
In his senior campaign, Williams had 50 total tackles, five pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and one interception.
Williams signed his NLI to play for Southern Utah in the 2026 season.
DL Matthias Crosby - Concordia
The last person from the Basha class signing their NLI is Matthias Crosby.
Crosby is a 6’4 240-pound defensive lineman who will use his size at the next level to make an impact.
Crosby will play at D-II Concordia University (MN) next season and will look to be an impact player on day one.
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