With Wednesday serving as national signing day, a day celebrated as a holiday to some hardcore recruiting followers, five area athletes inked national letters-of-intent to play college football.

Bellevue held a signing day celebration for its three athletes Wednesday morning at the school, with Marcus Henry, Kendrick Van Ackeren and Elan Richard all signing with Division-I schools.

Henry, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman, officially signed with Boise State. Henry had committed to the Broncos in the fall and decided to honor his word despite late interest by the University of Washington. Henry was named an All-Bellevue Reporter selection on both offense and defense this season.

Van Ackeren, an All-Bellevue Reporter pick as a safety, signed with the University of Hawaii, also spurning the University of Washington. Van Ackeren took a late visit to the UW last week and the Huskies offered the 6-2, 185-pounder an opportunity to greyshirt.

Elan Richard, a 6-2, 200-pound linebacker, signed with the University of Idaho.

Over at Newport, 6-foot-2, 240-pound Patrick Taiwo signed with Central Washington University. Taiwo was also an All-Bellevue Reporter selection on defense for the Knights, who reached the first round of the state playoffs this season before losing to Chiawana 30-10 in Pasco.

Interlake’s J.T. Capers helped lead the Saints in a surprising run to the quarterfinals of the 2A state playoffs before the team lost to eventual runner-up Archbishop Murphy 58-13.

The 5-10, 161-pound wide receiver/defensive back will play at Eastern Oregon University. He was an All-Bellevue Reporter selection at safety this season.