Southeast Missouri State football inks Cape Central wide receiver Al Young

Southeast Missouri State football coach Tom Matukewicz couldn't believe what he was hearing after asking one of his most prized recruits, Cape Central standout Al Young, what school he wanted to go to.

"I looked him right in his eyes and said, 'SEMO,'" Young said. "He just smiled at me like he was surprised, like, 'Really?'"

Young was all smiles himself on Wednesday, as a host of family, friends and coaches gathered at Central High School to watch the 6-foot star wide receiver sign a National Letter of Intent with Southeast.

It brought a relieving end to Young's arduous recruiting process, one that started almost immediately following a breakout sophomore season. Young, a three-star recruit by Rivals, drew interest from a number of Division I schools from across the country, but he narrowed his options to Southeast, Murray State, Missouri and Nebraska before making his final decision last week.

"Me and my family stayed up and talked about it. I was just like, 'You know what, I feel like SEMO is the right place for me,'" Young said. "... It feels great. It's finally over with. I'm finally a Redhawk. The recruiting process has been so fun, visiting schools and just meeting new people.

2015 All-Missourian Football - Al Young - Cape Central High SchoolGlenn Landberg

"To finally find a school that you fall in love with and feel like a part of a family, it feels great."

Young has already forged relationships with several current Redhawks, including running back DeMichael Jackson and wide receiver Darrius Darden-Box, both of whom were in attendance for Wednesday's signing.

"I worked out with them a lot in the summer, so they helped me get faster," Young said. "They just stayed on me. After every game, they'd text me, 'Al, good job. Al, good luck. Al, make sure you do this next time.' They just stayed on me hard, and I liked that."

Building those friendships was perhaps the biggest recruiting tool for Southeast, which was able to lure two other top players from Southeast Missouri -- Kennett linebacker Britt Harris and Malden linebacker Nick Thompson.

"That played into my decision a lot, just having somebody who's not even your teammate yet text you 24/7 wishing you good luck," Young said. "Even if I'd tell them I didn't know if I wanted to go to SEMO, they were just like, 'Hey, do what's right for you. You don't have to come here just because you know us.' They were just like brothers."

Young made his decision to play for Southeast public on Monday afternoon when he tweeted a graphic of himself superimposed over the team's logo.

Central coach Nathan Norman said he helped Young throughout the process, emphasizing the importance of patience as National Signing Day loomed ahead.

"Coach Tuke and his staff at Southeast did a great job of staying with him, staying on him," Norman said. "They just showed him support. ... It paid off. He felt comfortable signing with them, and I think it's a great fit for him."

Young will team up with another local standout in reigning Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year Dante Vandeven, a former Jackson star who stepped into the starting quarterback role in his first collegiate season.

The departure of standout wide receiver Paul McRoberts could allow Young to make an immediate impact for the Redhawks. Young has been encouraged by McRoberts, who scored a touchdown and had 46 yards receiving in the Senior Bowl last week.

"Paul's a good role model to me. If you just listen to his story and know where he came from, it's just so similar to mine," Young said. "You've just got to look at him. He came from nothing to becoming one of the best receivers ever at SEMO, so that inspired me a lot. Him being able to talk to me and connect with me out of all the people, it just means a lot to me."

There's no doubt Young's legacy at Central will continue to live on, but the most decorated player in school history said he'll never forget the impact his coaches have left on him.

"Coach Norman's probably one of my favorite coaches ever. He's one of the most competitive coaches I've ever played for," Young said. "I've just listened to so much Norman has said because he knows what it takes to get to the next level. He always knew I had the talent, and he just stayed on me hard.

"I'm leaving a lot behind, but I just hope I can be remembered for being a good person and all the good stuff I did on the football field."