Three sign to play football in college

As they prepared to compete for another state championship for Aledo football, three senior members of this season’s squad participated in an early signing celebration on Dec. 13 at Aledo High School.

The official NCAA early signing date is Dec. 21. However, the Aledo School District was closed for Christmas break then, so head coach Tim Buchanan announced the ceremony was moved up.

Signing were defensive tackle Ansel Din-Mbuh with the Washington State Cougars, wide receiver Jalen Pope with the United States Air Force Academy Falcons in Colorado Springs, and offensive lineman Isaac Sohn with the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners.

“All of them have a really high ceiling on what they can do after they leave high school,” Buchanan said.

Din-Mbuh has been a force on defense this season. Of his 32 tackles, nearly half (15) have been for a loss. He also has four sacks and has put more pressure on quarterbacks like a human vise grip.

But as much as his talent, Buchanan said Din-Mbuh’s leadership will do as much to make him a standout in college. He is graduating early and plans to head to Pullman, Washington next semester to get started in college, Buchanan said.

“His personality and leadership will be great for Washington State,” Buchanan said. “He received more votes for captain than any other player we’ve ever had.”

As for his talents, Buchanan noted that, along with running a low 4.8 or high 4.7 in the 40-yard dash, Din-Mbuh is incredibly strong. He noted that he can lift 300-plus pounds directly over his head with a pause.

“Not a dead lift (where the weights are lifted to the waist and then up), he just lifts it straight up,” Buchanan said. “He can pick up so much weight it scares me.”

Jalen Pope will play football at the Air Force Academy. He is shown with Cassie, Adam, Addison, and (not pictured) Jackson Pope.

Pope has 55 catches for 1,117 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.

“Jalen is really starting to develop,” Buchanan said. “He’s gone from a little receiver to a big-time player.”

Isaac Sohn will play football at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is shown with Jim, Coby, Elijah, Daniel, and Isaiah Sohn.

Sohn was injured early in this year’s playoffs, but was a force on the line for the majority of the team’s season. Behind his blocking the Bearcats averaged more than 40 points per game and had two players top 1,000 yards in rushing, junior running back Hawk Patrick-Daniels and quarterback Hauss Hejny, while Hejny has also passed for almost 1,800 yards.

“He has the work ethic and frame to turn into one of the better offensive linemen in college football,” Buchanan said. “If he keeps developing he’s going to be special. “I believe they are all going to have successful college careers.”