Defensive back Justin Dunning, who is headed to Texas A&M, talks to the media after signing on Tuesday morning at Whitehouse High School. (Victor Texcucano/Staff)

 

WHITEHOUSE — The two ceremonies were markedly different.

Simultaneous to Gladewater’s Daylon Mack signing to play for Texas A&M 35 miles northeast, Whitehouse’s Justin Dunning nonchalantly went about his business.

Dunning, an ESPN300 recruit who committed his future to the Aggies more than a year ago, was a bit lower key than the media circus that followed Mack’s last-minute decision.

“When it comes to all the eyes being on me, I’m not all about that,” Dunning said.

Dunning led a strong signing class for the Wildcats as cornerback Nate Brooks (North Texas), linebacker Dominique Hollie (Tyler Junior College) and quarterback Jackson Allen (McMurry) put pen to paper at Whitehouse’s auditorium on Wednesday.

Wildcats coach Adam Cook texted Justin Dunning the night before National Signing Day asking him for awards and honors he could mention to the school before Dunning inked his college future.

But the star safety didn’t want his coach to stand up there and brag about his accolades. Not that there aren’t plenty — for him and his teammates.

Ranked the No. 16 safety in the 2015 class, Dunning racked up 155 tackles, four interceptions, six pass deflections and one pick six during his time at Whitehouse despite missing most of his junior year with a torn ACL.

That injury helped lead to his commitment to the Aggies after they stuck with him despite his injury. Dunning chose Texas A&M over Texas and LSU.

“They’re on the rise,” Dunning said. “They’re in the SEC. They’re one of the rising teams in Texas. The past recruiting classes have all been good. I only see them getting better.”

Dunning was just one of the Wildcats secondary to sign Division I, with Brooks looking to help out the Mean Green’s pass defense.

Both Brooks and Dunning were forged in the fire after facing passing quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes (now at Texas Tech) and Allen every day in practice.

“It prepared me a lot,” Brooks said. “Going against Pat every day in practice and Jackson, it well-equipped me for the next level.”

Cook agreed that facing Mahomes and Allen helped. The pair was also instrumental in Whitehouse reaching the state 7-on-7 title game.

“In years past with Patrick here in practices the offense would just shred the defense,” Cook said. “These guys gained a lot of confidence throughout 7-on-7. A big part of that run was their defensive play.”

Brooks, who tallied 136 tackles, 11 interceptions, 13 pass breakups on defense and 751 pass yards and 289 rush yards on offense, chose North Texas over Louisiana Tech and Stephen F. Austin.

“It’s amazing feeling,” Brooks said. “It’s a little bittersweet leaving our home for four years but it’s an awesome feeling. Actually getting to a chance to go D-I has been a dream of mine since I was little.”

Allen, meanwhile, will be looking to sling the ball around for Division II McMurry. Allen passed for 2,200 yards with 18 touchdowns and holds the Whitehouse record for completions in a game with 45 against Lufkin last fall.

He’s merely the latest in a long line of Wildcats quarterbacks playing at the next level, following Mahomes, Hunter Taylor and Brady Attaway.

“It’s just a great,” Allen said. “Whitehouse is a great community, great team. It’s just wonderful coming up through the line and being the next person to go off.”

Staying closer to home is Hollie, a linebacker who also holds the Whitehouse record for rushing touchdowns in a game (five, also set against Lufkin last season).

Hollie finished his Whitehouse career with 128 tackles on defense and 1,243 yards rushing with 26 touchdowns on offense.

Having looked at Southern Arkansas, North Texas and SFA, Hollie opted for TJC, which he could use as a springboard to a larger university, for its proximity, chance at playing time and architecture classes offered.

Most importantly — like Allen, Brooks and Dunning — he gets to continue his football career.

“A lot of times people don’t understand that after high school football for a lot of kids that’s it,” Hollie said. “I’m thankful and blessed that I get another chance to play football.”

 

 

Quick Hits with Justin Dunning

On Daylon Mack signing with Texas A&M: “It’s big time. We all thought he was coming but it’s great for him to recommit. … I was confident. He likes to be the center of the spotlight. I was kind thinking he might hit the switcheroo there at the end, but he didn’t.”

On new Aggies defensive coordinator John Chavis: “It’s a home run (hire).”

On playing at renovated Kyle Field: “It was already crazy. It’s about to be crazier.”

On his senior season with the Wildcats: “It wasn’t bad. It was fun. We didn’t have quite the performance we wanted.”

On what he’ll take from his time at Whitehouse: “I learned how to be a better person, a better man. The thing I learned the most is not to forget who I am and where I came from.”