The562’s coverage of Millikan athletics in the 2022-23 school year is sponsored by Curtis Boyer.
A pair of Millikan Rams made their college commitments official on Wednesday afternoon, as quarterback Myles Jackson and running back Nygel Osborne signed their National Letters of Intent (NLI) during the first day of the early signing period.
Jackson recently made his commitment to Stanford University after reclassifying into the Class of 2023 and officially signed with the Cardinal and new head coach Troy Taylor. Meanwhile, Osborne signed his NLI with Utah Tech, a Division I FCS program formerly known as Dixie State.
“It’s really special and I’m extremely proud of those guys,” said Millikan head coach Romeo Pellum. “What everyone knows about me is, we can win a championship, but that’s not a championship for me if guys aren’t going to college. I care more about getting kids to the next level than winning a Moore League or CIF championship. Kids go to college and they're getting $250-350,000 worth of free education and room and board–that's what it's about.”
Jackson was the Moore League Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, setting a new Moore League record for passing yards (3,620) and touchdowns (47) in a single season. He was a highly touted recruit since first stepping foot on campus as a freshman, and his career at Millikan certainly lived up to the billing.
As Pellum pointed out during the signing ceremony, the Rams have sent players to a Power 5 school in each of the past three seasons, as Jackson joins Ezavier Staples (UCLA) and Tacario Davis (Arizona) as Pac-12 players from Millikan. Davis was back on campus to support his former quarterback, along with former Rams’ DL Damian Hernandez along with a slew of current Millikan players.
“Attending Stanford has been a dream for as long as I can remember,” said Jackson, while joined by his parents and younger brother, Major. “Everything I've done in my academic career has been in preparation to attend Stanford. I want to be successful on and off the field, and Stanford University has given me the best opportunity to do so.”
Osborne played just one season at Millikan but showed what a dynamic playmaker he could be in his limited action. In five games for the Rams he averaged nearly 10 yards per carry and had five touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime during Millikan’s win at Sunrise Mountain High in Arizona. Osborne was emotional as he thanked his coaches, family, and teammates in attendance.
“I'm truly blessed to be in this position right now, I’m thankful for my coaches, my teammates thankful for my mom and dad and always thankful to God,” said Osborne. “It hurts, man, because I really miss all my guys, I miss playing football, I miss being part of the family, and I'm just thankful to be here at Millikan. I know all you guys are here being a family towards me, you guys are always supportive and I’m just very thankful to have all you guys here.”
Pellum added that around seven additional football players are expected to sign during the regular signing period in February, when more of this 2023 class will make their college decisions known.
