ROCKFORD, Mich. — National signing day took place on Wednesday across the country and the celebration was certainly apparent at Rockford High School.
Several Rams signed their national letters of intent.
13 On Your Side caught up with a few high school football stars taking their talents to the next level.
One of the Rams who put pen to paper to join Tony Annese in Big Rapids at Ferris State is Rockford star Ryan Ahern.
The former scholar athlete of the week had the inside scoop on all things Bulldog football because his big brother Zak is already on the football team up there.
Ryan can't wait to join him.
"I think my favorite part about going up there is seeing him," Ahern said. "I played with him sophomore year and that was hands down the best experience playing football was playing with him again. Playing with him at the next level would be super special. It feels good to cement it in stone. I know I was going there for a while. I have been committed for a minute. It's nice to finally have it on paper."
Ahern's Rams teammate will soon be his arch-rival. Rockford offensive lineman Mason Kirn signed to play college football at Grand Valley State on Wednesday afternoon.
Kirn says he never thought college football was in the cards for him, and he is pumped to be heading to Allendale.
"It felt like a home away from home. I grew up watching Grand Valley football going to games," Kirn said. "I have a lot of friends who go to Grand Valley. The coaches have been awesome to me. I am just super excited to get out there and get to work."
Also signing at Rockford was Rams quarterback Drake Irwin, who will be playing college ball at Calvin.
The Knights are set to have their first football season in the fall, and Irwin hopes to be the first signal-caller ever for the program
"I think it is important to set a good example of what a Calvin quarterback can be and should be," Irwin said. "I think it is a good role to step into. It is a dream come true. I didn't even start as a junior. To be even playing college football as a one-year starter is pretty awesome."
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.