Mortimer Jordan running back Spencer Brown signed with UAB on National Signing Day. 

Several student-athletes from northern Jefferson County took part in what’s best described as a holiday for many sports fans across the country.

National Signing Day 2017 saw 16 locals sign college scholarships on Wednesday. Gardendale sent eight student-athletes to the next level while Mortimer Jordan and Pinson Valley produced four signees apiece.

Here is a full rundown of National Signing Day 2017:

Gardendale High School

• Steven Crowder signed a football scholarship with Eastern Kentucky.

“I’ve loved my time here in Gardendale. Coach [Matt] Plunkett was absolutely amazing, he’s a fantastic coach and I have to give a shout-out to my defensive coordinator [Wes] Patterson,” said Crowder. “Everyone at Gardendale just inspired me to be the player I am today.”

• Andrew Freeman signed a football scholarship with the University of North Alabama.

“To them it’s about talent, not just necessarily height and size, and that made a big difference to me,” said Freeman of the Lions’ coaching staff. “Here [at Gardendale] I played just about every position in the front seven so wherever they need me to play, I know I can fit in.”

• Demetrius King also signed a football scholarship with the University of North Alabama.

“They say the hardest thing to do in college is make new friends, but going up there with friends feels pretty good,” said King, who will go to Florence with Gardendale teammates Andrew Freeman and Dawson Cazola. “The campus is beautiful and I love the atmosphere up there.”

• Dawson Cazola chose the University of North Alabama over Delta State University and Faulkner University.

“It felt like home. It felt like the place to go,” said Cazola.

• Jon-Halston Hill signed a football scholarship with Faulkner University.

• Sterling Stone signed a football scholarship with Itawamba Community College.

• Alexa Kauffman signed a soccer scholarship with the University of West Georgia.

“I looked at a lot of schools and I felt most at home there,” said Kauffman, the only signee on the Rockets’ girls soccer team. “It’s definitely a confidence booster. I already know where I’m going and I know I’m heading in the right direction.”

• Kyla Gibson, a senior on the Gardendale volleyball team, signed with Point University in Georgia.

Mortimer Jordan High School

• Spencer Brown signed a football scholarship with the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After rushing for 1,972 yards and 33 scores, Brown thanked many people, including the school’s lunch ladies, for impacting his life.

• Josh Evans signed a football scholarship with Faulkner University. He plans to study kinesiology at Faulkner.

• Douglas Moore, a quarterback for Mortimer Jordan, signed with Birmingham Southern College on Wednesday morning.

• Abigail Crane signed a softball scholarship with Bevill State Community College.

Abby said her decision to go to Bevill State in Sumiton was easy. “I went to a camp with them, and they offered me a full scholarship.”

Pinson Valley High School

• C.J. Rudolph signed a football scholarship with Bethel University.

“I’m just so blessed to be able to play at the next level because a lot of athletes don’t get that opportunity, and being able to play college football has always been a dream of mine so I’m very excited and ready to experience it,” said Rudolph.

• Andrew McKinney also signed with Bethel University.

“Bethel’s defense just seemed to fit me and after discussing it with my parents, I decided to go there,” said McKinney. “I just thank God and I’m glad all of these guys got a chance to go play college football.”

• Ty Woods marked his name down to Delta State University on a football scholarship.

“It just felt like home. They fit my style of play,” said Woods. “At times [recruitment] was enjoyable and at times it was stressful but at the end of the day, I’m signing somewhere so I’m happy I get to go to school.”

• Rodrick Tunstall signed a football scholarship with Union College in Kentucky.

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.