While other prized prospects put their futures in motion by announcing their college plans Wednesday, East Lake quarterback Pete DiNovo was already experiencing his as a freshman at UCF.
DiNovo, the Times' 2012 all-Pinellas County and all-Suncoast offensive player of the year, ended the suspense surrounding his decision in July when he committed to the Knights. He graduated from East Lake in December and enrolled at UCF last month so he could be available for spring practice.
So it was only fitting that DiNovo got a jump start among other recruits by holding a signing day ceremony at 7:30 a.m.
Though he already is a student at UCF, DiNovo planned to return to East Lake to celebrate his college decision as part of a promise he made to Eagles coach Bob Hudson.
“Coach Hudson always wanted me to come back for the team banquet and for national signing day so I could share all of this with my teammates,” DiNovo said.
The decision to come back was a hectic one. After his class ended Tuesday night, DiNovo drove home.
He couldn’t enjoy the ceremony for long.
After mingling with friends and posing for pictures, DiNovo was back on the road headed for Orlando so he could attend study hall at 11 a.m.
“It’s been a little hectic this first month being a college student and out on my own for the first time,” DiNovo said. “But I’m slowly getting used to it.”