Warren's Reams, Turner see their college football dreams come true

Best friends since they were in kindergarten together, Caleb Reams and Nick Turner shared their dreams with each other as they prepared to enter high school four years ago.

Football players who "pretty much dominated everybody in sports," Turner said with a smile, they dreamed big.

At Warren, the pair of thick-chested, athletic boys kept up their domination. And Wednesday, their talents and efforts were rewarded. On national signing day for high school football players, Reams, a 6-foot-3 tight end, signed with Illinois, while Turner, a 6-1 linebacker, inked with Valparaiso University (Division I FCS).

"All we've talked about since eighth grade is this day," Turner said.

Joining Turner and Reams for a celebration at Warren's Almond Road campus were defensive back Jerry Powe (Lafayette College) and offensive lineman Joey Zumpano (University of Indianapolis), who also signed letters of intent.

"It's truly a blessing," Reams said of sharing the experience with three of his teammates.

"They're better people than they are football players," Warren coach Bryan McNulty said of Reams, Turner, Powe and Zumpano.

In Reams, Illinois secured a player who caught 35 passes, including 10 touchdowns, last fall. Early last spring, Reams verbally committed to Western Michigan, after also receiving offers from Toledo and Colgate. Then last summer, Illinois made him a scholarship offer.

"My mom (Lisa) said to me, 'Where do you want to go - without football?' " Reams said. "I had the University of Illinois offer and I had visited there (unofficially). Once I got done visiting, I was like, 'This is the place I want to be.' "

So Reams de-committed from Western Michigan. Wake Forest was now in the picture too. He waited until early August to announce his verbal commitment to Illinois.

"I love Illinois," said Reams, who took his official visit to Champaign last weekend. "Everything there is just great. It's a great family atmosphere, an up-and-coming program, and I'm ready to be a part of that."

Inspired by Warren star running back Darrius Crump, who's worked hard to overcome stuttering, Reams wants to study speech pathology at the U of I.

"Just hanging out with him, I know he's a great kid," Reams said. "I want to be able to help kids like that. I'm already great with kids."

Reams picked up an offer from the University of South Florida two weeks ago. But he wasn't about to bite.

"Nothing was going to change my mind about Illinois," Reams said. "I feel like I'm ready to hit that program running."

Turner is equally excited to play for Valparaiso, where he visited last month.

"I saw (at Valparaiso) a whole replica of what this program (at Warren) is all about," said Turner, who rang up 101 tackles his senior year. "Tradition. Family. And just playing aggressive."

Among those on hand at Warren to celebrate with Turner was his mother, Coryn. Turner's father, Vince, died in 2010 after being hit by a drunken driver.

"My mom is proud, my coach is proud, and I know my dad is looking down from heaven," Turner said. "I know he's very proud of me. I'm glad to get (the recruiting process) over with, and I'm glad to go to a great academic institution."

Turner was glad to share his special day with his best friend. Reams felt likewise. Dreams, the duo can attest, come true.

"I am very relieved," a smiling Reams said. "It's real. The dream became a reality today. It's so amazing."