SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Dorial Green-Beckham walked into Hillcrest High School's gymnasium, prepared to share his decision with the world. A large crowd stood and applauded the wide receiver many consider to be the nation's top prospect, his announcement to follow leaving one school eager and others disappointed.
He slapped hands with Hillcrest football coaches and teammates before taking a seat to the right of a podium. The moment represented the end of an exhausting recruitment that drew interest from traditional powers such as Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, Texas and USC, among others. In recent weeks, though, it was believed a final group of five choices for the 6-foot-6, 220-pound star had been narrowed to two: Arkansas and Missouri.
Before long Wednesday morning, the player who set the national high school record for career receiving yards faced an audience wearing a gray suit and a white tie with family standing behind him. At that moment, a barrage of texts, emails, interview requests, letters from fans and promises of playing time from coaches became background noise. He thanked his influences while holding a microphone in his left hand before making his college choice known.
"This morning," Green-Beckham said, "it is an honor to announce that I will be continuing my education this fall at..."
He turned around and slipped on a black Missouri cap. The crowd erupted with screams and applause. He grinned. Some chanted, "M-I-Z Z-O-U!"
Green-Beckham -- "DGB" to some -- ended the drama surrounding his future on National Signing Day. He represents the elite talent Missouri coveted the most before the Tigers join the Southeastern Conference next season. He cited his desire to remain within the state as a major factor in his decision, and high expectations are sure to follow him when Missouri begins play in the country's premier league.
Wednesday, though, was a time for reflection and celebration. As students dispersed in the gymnasium after the ceremony, Tracy Beckham, Green-Beckham's adoptive mother, wiped her right eye and hugged her son. Green-Beckham decided on Missouri sometime Monday, three days after beginning an official visit to Columbia, where he was greeted with signs like, "Stay home, True Son," upon his arrival.
After returning to Springfield, Green-Beckham discussed the decision with Tracy and his adoptive father, John Beckham, who is also his football coach. John noticed Green-Beckham had felt more comfortable around Missouri's coaches than any other staff. By Tuesday night, the family felt confident in the choice.
"We're all happy," Tracy said, friends offering congratulations around her. "There was no arm-twisting. It just all went really smoothly. We're all on the same page. We're all relieved and happy. I think he's tickled pink. More than anything, I'm just proud of him and the type of young man that he has become."
Green-Beckham represents another major in-state recruiting victory for Coach Gary Pinkel and his staff. The wide receiver follows current NFL players Blaine Gabbert (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Jeremy Maclin (Philadelphia Eagles) as a prominent Missouri high school star who signed with the state's flagship school since 2006.
Once he arrives in Columbia, Green-Beckham could make a sudden impact. The Tigers ranked 64th in the nation last season by averaging 231.54 passing yards per game, and junior wide receiver T.J. Moe led the team in receiving with 649 yards on 54 catches. Meanwhile, Green-Beckham finished with 6,356 receiving yards for his high school career.
Wednesday morning, Green-Beckham's decorated play led to a frenetic scene, one unlike school officials thought they would ever see. Six news trucks were parked outside the gymnasium more than two hours before the 9 a.m. announcement, and students gawked at the media presence during their walks into the building.
Kirk Slater, Hillcrest's assistant principal, stood near an entrance to a parking lot and marveled at the busy traffic. He knew his school would return to normal soon. But, for one day, Green-Beckham deserved the attention.
"I don't think anyone could have imagined that it would have went to this extent," said Slater, his breath visible in the chilled air. "He was a dominating athlete when he was in middle school, and I think everyone knew that he was going to go to a D-I college. But this pomp and circumstance that we're experiencing today, it's something else."
Said Morgan York, a Hillcrest sophomore who was part of a group that raised an American flag outside the school: "He's a good influence on people. I've seen him in the hall. He always has a good attitude about things.... A majority of his friends and teammates, they're going to miss him a lot when he goes off to college."
Family will miss him too. As Green-Beckham fielded questions about his decision in the gymnasium, his younger brother, Darnell, stood to the side with pride. The two had grown together after the Beckham family accepted the brothers into their home when Dorial was in the seventh grade. (The couple adopted the boys in December 2009.)
Wednesday morning, Darnell considered the future. He knew Dorial's announcement meant both prepared to enter a new phase in their lives.
"It's going to go down a long road," Darnell, a sophomore, said of his brother's upcoming path. "I'm real proud of him. He's real confident and happy in what he chose. I'm happy for him."
Meanwhile, a short time later Wednesday -- after the crowd in the gymnasium had cleared -- John stood near the spot where Green-Beckham's words spread across the country and warned of too much hype. John recalled a recent conversation in which he said Green-Beckham "better catch a lot of passes."
To John, the expectations -- a creation of his son's success -- had become unreasonable. Yet he learned more about Green-Beckham's focus through the intense spotlight. His son had remained grounded, and the father was pleased the attention did not harm.
"Most people would have probably gone crazy," John said. "But he's really handled it well, so I'm proud of him for that."
Later, when a post-ceremony reception in the library drew to a close, Green-Beckham walked out a side door with friends and family to continue their celebration off school grounds. They made their way toward a parking lot, far less full than it had been hours before. Soon, a middle-aged man turned toward the player. Green-Beckham paused still wearing the same black Missouri cap.
"Glad this is all over?" the man said.
"Yup," Green-Beckham said, smiling.
Green-Backham approached a black Chevy truck. He reached for a white Missouri T-shirt tucked in the trunk before settling into the front passenger seat. The mystery surrounding his future was over. The nation's top recruit had chosen his future home, and now it is up to him to live his promise.
The truck pulled away from the gymnasium. As the day continued, his potential seemed endless.
