Hundreds of high school athletes sign with colleges in the class of 2026

Student-athletes from Broward and Palm Beach counties commit to play at the next level

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Hundreds of high school athletes from Broward and Palm Beach counties in Florida have signed their financial aid packages to play sports in college next year. The list includes 56 athletes from powerhouse program St. Thomas Aquinas, 17 from two-time state champion West Boca, and 26 from two-time state champion American Heritage. With the rise of NIL deals, the landscape of college recruiting has shifted, but the excitement around National Signing Day remains for these student-athletes.

Why it matters

High school sports are a point of pride for local communities, and seeing so many talented athletes earn the opportunity to continue their athletic careers at the college level is a testament to the strength of the sports programs in Broward and Palm Beach counties. This signing class represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication by these student-athletes.

The details

The list of signees includes standout players from football, baseball, softball, lacrosse, golf, and more. Some highlights include St. Thomas Aquinas linebacker Phillip Goodrich Jr. choosing Navy, American Heritage wide receiver Brandon Bennett signing with FSU, and Pine Crest golfer Jonathan Weinberg committing to Duke. Many of these athletes held multiple scholarship offers before making their final decisions.

  • The Early Signing Period took place in December 2025.
  • National Signing Day was on February 4, 2026.

The players

Phillip Goodrich Jr.

A senior linebacker at St. Thomas Aquinas who signed with Navy.

Brandon Bennett

A wide receiver at American Heritage who signed with Florida State University.

Jonathan Weinberg

A golfer at Pine Crest who committed to play at Duke University.

Brianna Sims

A senior outfielder on the St. Thomas Aquinas softball team who will attend St. Bonaventure.

Chloe Fouhety

A member of the girls tennis team at St. Thomas Aquinas who selected Cornell University.

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What they’re saying

“I chose Navy because I will play at the highest level of football, have an education at an elite level, and be able to thrive and be successful during and after my career.”

— Phillip Goodrich Jr. (Sun Sentinel)

“I selected the school because they're allowing me to start as a freshman and see what I'm really made of, and they believe in me.”

— Brianna Sims, Senior outfielder, St. Thomas Aquinas softball (Sun Sentinel)

“(Cornell) has a great academic program for business, and it has Ivy League prestige. I enjoyed the energy of the tennis team and coaches.”

— Chloe Fouhety, Senior, St. Thomas Aquinas girls tennis (Sun Sentinel)

“The Duke men's golf team offers excellence both on the course and in the classroom. I have tremendous respect for Coach Bob Heintz and Coach Daniel Bowden, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to play under their leadership.”

— Jonathan Weinberg, Golfer, Pine Crest (Sun Sentinel)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

High school sports remain a point of pride for local communities, and the signing of these student-athletes to play at the college level is a testament to the strength of the athletic programs in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Despite the changing landscape of college recruiting, the excitement and hard work of these young athletes shines through.