Elijah Ali speaks during a National Signing Day ceremony at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Elijah Ali, left, signs his commitment to the University of Texas during a National Signing Day ceremony at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Marcus Ball, Gregory Taylor, Elijah Ali, Malik Brooks, Jaylen Stokes, Kenny Peevy and Demari Nunley pose for a photograph during a National Signing Day ceremony at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, head coach Devah Thomas describes Gregory Taylor and Elijah Ali during a National Signing Day ceremony for seven athletes at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Head coach Devah Thomas, left, speaks during a National Signing Day ceremony for seven athletes at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Marcus Ball, left, is emotional during a National Signing Day ceremony at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Demari Nunley, right, speaks during a National Signing Day ceremony at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Athletic Director James Covell speaks during a National Signing Day ceremony at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Head coach Devah Thomas, center, describes, from left, Marcus Ball and Kenny Peevy during a National Signing Day ceremony for seven athletes at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Gregory Taylor, right, thanks God during a National Signing Day ceremony at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Kenny Peevy, center, thanks his family during a National Signing Day ceremony at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Jaylen Stokes, right, speaks during a National Signing Day ceremony at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
President, Dr. Christian De Larkin speaks during a National Signing Day ceremony at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Elijah Ali speaks during a National Signing Day ceremony at St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy in Downey on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
DOWNEY — The St. Pius X-St. Matthias football team celebrated National Signing Day on Wednesday with seven student-athletes, led by senior defensive tackle Elijah Ali, who signed with the University of Texas.
The 6-foot-5 285-pound three-star recruit visited Texas last month and chose the Longhorns over offers from Delaware State, Sacramento State, San Diego State and Temple.
Senior defensive/linebacker Marcus Ball, senior receiver/defensive back Jaylen Stokes and senior receiver Keeny Peevy all signed with Sacramento State.
Senior receiver/defensive back Gregory Taylor, the team’s captain, signed with Western Colorado.
During the early signing period in December, senior defensive tackle Malik Brooks signed with USC and senior receiver/safety Demari Nunley signed with UNLV.
That brings the Warriors’ total to seven players in the Class of 2026 who will play college football next season.
St. Pius X finished the 2025 season as a CIF Southern Section Division 6 finalist.
LONG BEACH PRESS-TELEGRAM AREA SIGNING LIST(Please send Signing Day information to jdavis@scng.com)
LONG BEACH POLY
William Deuce Jefferson, football, Navy
LYNWOOD
Zachariah Winters, football, Southern University
MILLIKAN
Dominic Palma, football, University of Puget Sound
Ashton Pannell, football, Chicago State
Peyton McCutcheon, football, Sacramento State
𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙀𝘿: 𝙋𝙀𝙔𝙏𝙊𝙉 𝙈𝙘𝘾𝙐𝙏𝘾𝙃𝙀𝙊𝙉, 𝘿𝙀
• A three-star recruit by 247Sports.
• Named the Moore League Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year as a senior at Millikan HS.
• Recorded 29 total tackles with nine TFLs and four sacks in 2025. pic.twitter.com/TO88jMTAce
— Sac State Football (@SacHornetsFB) February 4, 2026
ST. PIUS X-ST. MATTHIAS
Elijah Ali, football, University of Texas
Marcus Ball, football, Sacramento State
Kenny Peevy, football, Sacramento State
Jaylen Stokes, football, Sacramento State
Gregory Taylor, football, Western Colorado
WILSON
Brooke Blue, track and field, UNLV
Kimani Tindall, track and field, Chicago State
Jordan Kincherlow, track and field, Texas A&M Texarkana
Charlee Owen, track and field, Cal State Dominguez
Kylee Greenvance, women’s soccer, Hawaii
Ryan Sorenson, women’s soccer, Cal State San Marcos