Tale of two signing day announcements

Wednesday afternoon at Calvary was a special day. It was the first "big" signing for the school as wide receiver Khiry Cooper inked his national letter of intent to play for Nebraska.

Yes, Calvary sent a baseball player (Derek Blankenship) to a Big 12 school (Baylor), but Blankenship signed in the summer in front of a small crowd. On Wednesday, Cooper signed in front of a sizeable crowd of students, family, friends and media members.

It was, as major signings go, a tame affair. There was the video package of Cooper's highlights and brief speeches from football coach Doug Pederson, Alex Lee, a friend of Cooper's, Cooper's mother, Yolanda, and Calvary chancellor Ed Hearon. It was a ceremony befitting of Cooper's personality, always smiling yet reserved.

Contrast that with Pennsylvania prep quarterback Terrelle Pryor, considered by some as the top recruit in the nation. Pryor's Wednesday included a room full of journalists who had descended on his school causing a circus-like atmosphere.

And they came for what? To listen to an 18-year-old kid tell them he wasn't going to sign just yet.

Therein lies the long and short of national signing day. One athlete completes his recruiting process to cheers while another drags it out, seeking out another couple of days or weeks in the spotlight.