FAYETTEVILLE -- Gara Mosier received a birthday gift Wednesday that made her special day even more enjoyable.
That's when she watched her son, Quade Mosier, sign with Central Florida University during a ceremony at Fayetteville High School. Mosier, a standout at middle linebacker, will graduate from Fayetteville this week then leave for Central Florida on Jan. 31, where he'll begin classes and participate in spring football with the Knights.
Mosier made his decision official after committing to Central Florida in July. Gara and Cody Mosier were in attendance along with members of the Fayetteville High football team and their coaches. Even former Fayetteville coach Billy Dawson returned to watch his former player sign with UCF.
"This day means a lot to me," Mosier said. "It's humbling, and I'm very thankful to my teammates, my family and friends, the people who've been with me along the way."
Wednesday marked the beginning of the early signing period. The traditional signing period for high school football players starts Feb. 5.
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Mosier (6-foot-2, 220) had 71 tackles as a senior, including a season-high nine tackles during a playoff victory over Cabot. He added three sacks and was credited with seven quarterback hurries while starring again at inside linebacker for the Bulldogs, who finished 6-6 on the year.
"Quade's a leader," Fayetteville coach Casey Dick said. "He's a leader in the locker room, the football field and in the community. He's a great kid and an awesome football player."
Mosier will be joining one of the top Group of Five football programs in UCF, which won 25 consecutive games before losing to LSU in the Fiesta Bowl to end the 2018 season. Central Florida is a member of the American Athletic Conference, and the Knights will take a 9-3 record into their matchup next week against Marshall in the Bad Boy Mowers Bowl against Marshall at Tampa, Fla.
Josh Heupel, a former offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, is the football coach at Central Florida, and Randy Shannon, a former Arkansas assistant coach, is the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Knights.
UCF will open next season against North Carolina on Sept. 3.
"One of the deciding factors in signing with UCF is the coaches, coach Heupel, coach (Willie) Martinez, coach Shannon," Mosier said. "They stayed in contact with me a lot, and I had a great official visit to UCF. I just can't wait to get down there."
Mosier added UCF will make arrangements that allows him to return to Fayetteville for his high school prom and to participate in graduation ceremonies this spring.
Preps Sports on 12/19/2019