Enai White signing lifts Texas A&M to the No. 1 class, as Imhotep and the Philly area produce top football recruits

After months of anticipation from Power Five coaching staffs and fans, Enai White’s recruitment came to a swift end. In front of a crowd of family, friends, teammates, and coaches — and with a live streaming audience tuning in via CBS Sports HQ — White unzipped his gray Imhotep Football hoodie, revealing the Texas A&M logo.

It was a simple motion, but one with big implications; White cemented himself as the latest addition to what many believe will be Texas A&M’s best recruiting class ever — currently ranked No. 1 in the nation by 247Sports.

» READ MORE: Imhotep's Enai White hoping to use football to make a 'generational change'

When the 6-foot-5 edge rusher put pen to paper at Imhotep Charter’s signing day ceremony on Wednesday, he made his commitment official. It was a special moment for the four-star recruit, one he hopes will inspire others in his community.

“It means a lot,” White said. “So, they can see physically that it’s possible. That’s what I want to show everybody. I know it’s hard right now for people growing up where I’m from. I just want everybody to know that it’s possible; we can do it.”

White’s signing was one of many big scores by Texas A&M on national signing day, as his picking the Aggies over Alabama helped them to the No. 1 spot. Jimbo Fisher’s squad secured 25 commitments including one from five-star defensive lineman Walter Nolen, the No. 1 player in the ESPN300.

Signing with the Aggies will give White a chance to play alongside other elite talent as a part of a group that has a chance to turn the tide for Texas A&M. The significance of the opportunity is not lost on White.

“We’re supposed to have one of the best classes ever,” White said. “So, just going there to get to work with those guys, and build a relationship with them as well, that’s just a pleasure. … We’re going to show why we’re the No. 1 class recruiting-wise.”

» READ MORE: National signing day live blog: Imhotep pass rusher Enai White picks Texas A&M, ex-Timber Creek star Jihaad Campbell headed to Alabama

The tone of the signing-day ceremony was celebratory for Imhotep, which saw its season end in an overtime defeat to Penn-Trafford in the PIAA 5A state title game on Friday. It was a chance to celebrate the achievements of White and his teammates. White was joined in signing by Keon Wylie (Penn State), Emir Stinette (Rutgers), and Jamir Reyes (Army).

While it was a celebration for each player, it was an especially big occasion for White.

“That’s something you know was always a goal for him,” Imhotep coach Devon Johnson said. “So, to see it finally actually happen, that’s what it’s all about. That’s what we do it for, to see the smile on his face.”

It may have taken White longer than his teammates to decide where his football future rested, but he impressed his coaches and teammates with his maturity in making his decision.

“He took his time with the process, made sure he went on those visits” Johnson said. “He wasn’t just picking it blindly. He handled it like a pro — talking to everyone, asking the right questions, [doing] his due diligence — and I know that at the end of the day when he made this decision, you know he’s making a decision he feels 100% confident about, no doubt.”

It was all smiles for White, who — after his announcement and signing — posed for pictures with his family, teammates, and coaches. Wednesday marked the end of his football journey at Imhotep, one that saw White transform from a young freshman into a blue-chip recruit. It also turned the page to his next challenge. White will head to the SEC, where he’ll have the chance to prove himself against the best players in college football. He has dreamed of that chance, and when he gets to College Station, he’ll have only one thing on his mind.

» READ MORE: James Franklin thrilled to land local recruits

“Going to go there, prepare, just get ready to work,” White said. “Get ready to win some games, play my role, and go for a championship.”

White was not the only Philadelphia-area prospect to commit to an SEC school. In fact, there were three. Top-150 recruit Jihaad Campbell of IMG Academy (formerly of Timber Creek), signed with Nick Saban and Alabama, while St. Joseph’s Prep’s Keenan Nelson Jr. honored his commitment and will attend South Carolina in the fall.

Campbell, an edge rusher, was rated the No. 11 outside linebacker in the country by ESPN and chose Alabama over Texas A&M. Nelson, who can play both corner and safety, was the highest-rated recruit to sign with the Gamecocks during the early signing period.

» READ MORE: Keenan Nelson Jr. among the Philly prospects going to big-time D1 programs

There were plenty of other notable local signings, as Campbell’s former high school quarterback, Donovan Leary (Timber Creek), signed with Illinois. Neumann Goretti’s Raleigh Collins III signed with West Virginia, while Penn State landed four-star offensive lineman Drew Shelton (Downingtown), defensive end Ken Talley (Northeast), and three-star linebackers Keon Wylie (Imhotep) and Abdul Carter (La Salle).

Finally, the area sent a player to two of the service academies, as Malvern Prep kicker Jake Reid will play football at Naval Academy, and Imhotep safety Jamir Reyes will enroll at West Point.

It is no secret that Rutgers has had some lean years on the gridiron of late — seven straight losing seasons, to be exact — but the Scarlet Knights showed some signs of improvement this season under Greg Schiano, finishing 5-7.

Schiano began the next step in rebuilding his program, by signing 20 players on the first day of the early signing period, including four local standouts, to form a class that 247Sports ranks No. 27 in the nation. The local signees were highlighted by four-stars Anthony Johnson (ILB, Neumann Goretti) and Samuel Brown (RB, La Salle College), as well as three-star defensive end Kenny Fletcher (Delran).

Johnson, who announced his decision from the Army All-American Bowl in Texas, chose Rutgers over the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State. Meanwhile, Brown, the MVP of Philadelphia’s Catholic League, recently was clocked in a game running at almost 21 mph, and also had offers from Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Baylor. Wisconsin usually knows what to look for in a running back.

Rutgers still has a long way to go as a program, but it sure was impressive getting its top local targets on signing day.

Staff editor Gustav Elvin contributed to this story.