Brazos Valley high schools produced a plentiful crop of college football signees, with most of the harvest going to the junior college ranks and small four-year schools.

At least 25 players from area football teams made their college choices official Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period. Two more Brazos Valley players are set to join the list Thursday.

Blinn College in Brenham signed the most players from Brazos Valley schools, adding six area prospects including three from A&M Consolidated and two from across town at Brenham High School.

Eight players from the area signed with Football Championship Subdivision programs, including two each at Sam Houston State and Tarleton State.

The Brazos Valley signees include four players who accepted scholarship offers from Football Bowl Subdivision programs, with Brenham teammates Terrell Reese and Michael Walker picking Utah, Navasota offensive lineman Aleon Calhoun signing with Texas Tech and Brenham's Jeremy Hall choosing Southern Methodist.

Brenham, which reached the Class 4A Division II state championship game last season, led the way with seven college signees. Consol will send six players to the college ranks, while two Bryan Vikings signed Wednesday.

Increased scholarship opportunities at small college and junior college football programs provided area players and coaches with a boost on signing day.

"We've always worked hard at finding out kids a place to go, and this year, that's where it was," Consol head coach Jim Slaughter said. "The way it works now, there's places out there where you can find kids a place to go and get them a scholarship, and that works really good."

Coming off a national championship, the Blinn program coached by Brad Franchione scored big at area schools. The Buccaneers' haul includes Kyle Doll, Andrew Fletcher and Xaiver Nelson of Consol, Ken-neth Allen and Chase Coghlan of Brenham and Rockdale's Logan David.

"Those Blinn coaches did a great job recruiting our school," Slaughter said. "They've also done a great job of coaching on the field, winning like they have, so I would say it's a great place to go."

Consol's list of signees includes a pair of players bound for FCS schools -- Rickey Smith to Sam Houston State and Patrick Bettiol with Tarleton State -- along with Jacob Rae to NAIA school Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Bryan will send a couple of players to NCAA Division II. Colton Barnes signed with Angelo State, while Mike Martinez picked West Texas A&M.

The Brenham contingent also includes Arthur Morgan to Tarleton State and C.J. Anderson to Concordia University of Nebraska, an NAIA school.

Caldwell's Aaron Mueller was a member of head coach Willie Fritz's first recruiting class at Sam Houston, with Bearkat coaches planning to use Mueller at defensive end or tight end.

Navasota produced two signees in addition to Calhoun. All-Brazos Valley quarterback Kye Hildreth signed with Lamar University, which will reinstate its football program in the fall. Jarvis Harrison picked Navarro, a junior college that also landed Madisonville's speedy Brock Taylor.

Three players from Rockdale made their selections, including Joe Sanders to Midwestern State, a Division II team in Wichita Falls. The Tigers' Greg Chelf chose Mary Hardin-Baylor from Division III.

A couple of area players opted for Division III McMurry, Michael Espitia of St. Joseph and Will Mathis of Madisonville.

Hearne's LaFrenzo Thomas and Carlton Boxley are headed for the junior college ranks at Lon Morris, both expected to sign Thursday.

Several other area football players have drawn attention from recruiters and could receive scholarships or attempt to make college teams as walk-ons.

Among the other athletes to make college choices this spring, Centerville baseball player Clay Hardee and volleyball players Sarah Mutschler and LeeAnne Jones have signed with Navarro.