NCAA DIVISION II SCHOOL COMES THROUGH FOR CLOVIS' TANNER RICE

Clovis High linebacker Tanner Rice can breathe a sigh of relief, as the Class of 2016 prospect landed his first scholarship offer from Minot State on Jan. 20 (photo by Lorenzo Reyna). 

Clovis High linebacker Tanner Rice is used to lifting heavy weights, but perhaps the biggest weight he ever came across was the one labeled “NCAA football recruiting period.”

Now, that load has finally been lifted off of his broad shoulders, as the Class of 2016 prospect became the recipient of his first scholarship offer on Jan. 20 as NCAA Division II program Minot State emerged as pledge No. 1. The Beavers’ scholarship opportunity ends the anxieties that Rice and his family endured as they waited to see which college program would make a run at him - especially after endless days of attending camps and tournaments just to market his name in front of college coaches.

“Finally receiving my first offer feels great. It's very rewarding to know that all my hard work has finally paid off!” Rice said. “My family and I are all very relieved that I have finally landed that first offer. All the stress has been lifted off our shoulders.”

The 6-foot, 215-pound Rice said the Beaver coaches were welcoming toward him.

“They were all very friendly and encouraging, and also helped me very much throughout the process,” Rice said. “They said that they really liked my size and strength; which was apparent on my film. Plus also (they like) my very aggressive playing style and that I could be a great contribution to their team and really make a difference.”

Rice was one of the cornerstones for a bellicose Clovis High defense known for swallowing running backs, pressuring quarterbacks and limiting scoring opportunities. Cougar opponents had to deal with No. 57 crashing down the line of scrimmage before throttling their quarterbacks and running backs. For his varsity career, Rice racked up 143 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks according to Max Preps.

Rice had plenty of supporters during the recruiting period, but none bigger than the ones he thanks the most.

“I would like to thank my parents for all the help and support they have given me,” Rice said. “They were always encouraging and my dad helped with reaching out to coaches as much as he could. I appreciate them very much and I wouldn't be where I am today without them.”

While Rice can let out a sigh of relief, he said he won’t immediately accept the Beavers’ pledge just yet.

“I would like to wait until National Signing Day to make a decision,” Rice said. “I would like to be patient and wait to see what other options become available to me before I make a life changing decision like this.”

Rice wasn't the only Clovis Cougar to receive some scholarship love from the Beavers. Fellow teammate Coltin Velasquez also landed an offer from Minot State. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Velasquez finished his senior year with 62 catches, 1,126 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns for the 11-2 Cougars. 

ANDREW WRIGHT NOT CONCERNED ABOUT FRESNO STATE'S RECORD OR FUTURE

Andrew Wright poses for the camera while on his official visit to Fresno State. The Buena Park defensive end/outside linebacker committed to the Bulldogs on Jan. 17 (photo contributed). 

Fresno State football’s 3-9 record this past season plus the assistant coaching changes did little to scare off Andrew Wright, as the Buena Park High defensive end/linebacker committed to the Bulldogs on Jan. 17.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Wright said Fresno State was his lone scholarship offer and the Bulldog coaches made the Class of 2016 prospect feel comfortable with saying yes to their pledge.

“I know what Fresno State is capable of and their record last year had no type of contribution to my commitment. With the new coaching staff, the bulldog fans and the new athletes Fresno State has landed, we have a bright future,” Wright said. “Every single coach was easy going and easy to talk to. I felt comfortable with the entire staff. We talked about everything not just football and business. That's one of the reasons I committed there.”

Wright shined on an exotic Buena Park defense that often confused opponents with its multiple fronts and pressure schemes. Regardless if he lined up in a two-point stance or three, Wright pummeled quarterbacks and running backs as he led the Coyotes in tackles for a loss (19) and sacks (10.5).

The Bulldog coaches have told Wright that he’ll stay on the outside, but will likely be standing up instead of placing his hand on the ground before the snap.

“I'll be playing outside linebacker. They plan to put me primarily as an edge rusher but about 40 percent of time I will drop back into coverage,” Wright said.  

While Wright wasn’t the most heavily wanted recruit, he said he did draw brief interest from Weber State, Colorado State and Texas-El Paso.

Now that Wright got his commitment out the way, he has no desire to bolt from the Bulldogs.

Said Wright: “That’s not even a thought on my mind (de-committing). I'm going to be a bulldog for the rest of my life.”

EDISON HIGH'S DAVID TATE: "I KNEW UNLV WAS THE PLACE FOR ME."

David Tate of Edison High verbally committed to UNLV on Sunday, Jan. 17, emerging as the latest Tiger to go the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision route (photo contributed). 

David Tate of Edison High in Fresno sees a lot of similarities between his former football coach Matt Johnson and UNLV’s Tony Sanchez, which was one of the top reasons why the 3-star linebacker verbally committed to the Rebels on Sunday, Jan. 17.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound defender said his interactions with Sanchez and his staff made him feel at ease with choosing UNLV over scholarship offers from Colorado, Colorado State, Fresno State and Utah State.

“I knew UNLV was the place for me when I first talked to coach Sanchez about how I would fit in. He said ‘You'll fit in great. You can help rebuild this era we have at UNLV.’ And that's what I want to do,” Tate said.

The Class of 2016 prospect, who punished running backs and covered wide receivers from his outside linebacker spot for the Tigers, said playing for Johnson helped turn him into a man and adds that Sanchez has a similar personality.

“Edison is a school where you can compete on and off the field. Our head coach Matty J is a great man. He turns boys into men just like he did with me and I see that in coach Sanchez. He’s another Matty J,” Tate said.

He’s not the only star from the 559 to verbally join the Rebels. Charles Williams of nearby Bullard High, who played club 7-on-7 football with Tate during the offseason, is committed to UNLV.

Tate said Williams did have a slight impact on his decision to join the Rebels, but stated “It was more than just him. The coaching staff, by itself, is great.”

UNLV plans to utilize Tate in multiple linebacker positions, he said. He’s also keeping this tradition alive in Fresno’s west side: Tiger players who have moved on to the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision ranks. The list includes Rykeem Yates (Nevada), Ickey Woods (Cincinnati Bengals), T.J. McDonald (Los Angeles Rams) and Tyrone Smith (Utah).

“It's a great feeling following the footsteps of greats like Tim McDonald and even the young ones like Tyler Horton (Boise State),” Tate said. 

ON THE GOLDEN STATE RECRUITING TRAIL: TWO SEC POWERHOUSES NOW AFTER SALESIAN (LOS ANGELES) STUD

Deommodore Lenoir added two SEC offers on Sunday, Jan. 10 as Mississippi State and LSU both offered the Class of 2017 athlete. The two schools have now made some slight changes to Lenoir's recruiting list (photo credit: Doug Brown, Mid Valley Sports). 

There has been a slight shake up for the three college football programs that made Deommodore Lenoir’s short list, as two Southeastern Conference powerhouses have now intrigued the Class of 2017 sensation.

Mississippi State and his "dream school" LSU are the latest programs to offer the Salesian (Los Angeles) athlete, as both the Bulldogs and Tigers extended their pledge to him on Sunday, Jan. 10.

The 6-foot, 186-pound Lenoir – who triples as a running, receiving and returning threat plus listed Oklahoma, UCLA and Washington as his top three teams of choice – told Cali Gold Mine that he’s now looking at both SEC schools closely.

“My top three does change a little,” Lenoir said. “But I'm still considering those schools (OU, UCLA and UW) as well as the others.”

Lenoir added that both MSU and LSU are recruiting him to play on both offense and defense. Lenoir now has 17 reported Football Bowl Subdivision offers including Michigan, Tennessee and Miami.

He scored 12 combined touchdowns for the 5-5 Mustangs last season.

LEPPKE CONTINUES DINUBA’S QUARTERBACK LINEAGE

Isaac Leppke committed to the University of Wyoming on Sunday, Jan. 10. He becomes the third Emperor quarterback to head to the college football ranks (photo contributed). 

Isaac Leppke was in the eighth grade when David Rico went from Emperor dual-threat quarterback to Cal Lutheran commit. Then he backed up future Oregon State Beaver Marcus McMaryion during Leppke’s sophomore year.

Now, the 6-foot-4 Leppke becomes the third Emperor signal-caller to accept a college football scholarship opportunity, as he accepted Wyoming’s walk-on offer on Jan. 10.

The Cowboys were Leppke’s lone FBS offer. Leppke said the Wyoming coaches made him feel comfortable with making his college decision.

“I knew Wyoming was the right fit when they told me I have every shot to move up the depth chart if I prove myself in practice. They also stress a family environment and everyone is treated equally, which is huge for me,” Leppke said.

He’s already building a rapport with one future teammate and former Central Valley star: Cowboys quarterback Josh Allen, who shined under the Friday night lights at Firebaugh High then became a scoring machine at Reedley College.

“With Josh Allen being from the Central Valley, I feel I can easily learn from him. We have already been building our relationship and Josh is a really cool guy. I can't wait to see how he does this next year. Hopefully he leads us to a bowl game,” Leppke said.

Leppke is taking a visit to Laramie during the weekend of Jan. 29, which will be his first time visiting the campus.

Leppke didn’t hesitate to call Dinuba a quarterback factory.

“The last three quarterbacks went on to the next level and Coach (Kevin) Scharton takes a big part in that,” Leppke said. “He makes sure we are better people than football players and that is the reason why I think Marcus, David, and I are successful."

Leppke has already pointed out the future of Emperors football.

“We have another good quarterback with Gustavo Villareal coming in next year and a young gunner after that in Josh Magana,” Leppke said. “Dinuba doesn't stop producing quarterbacks.”

VERSATILE RUIZ HEADING TO THE 805

Joey Ruiz of San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno) turned down three FBS offers to join the Cal Poly Mustangs, as the running back/wide receiver/linebacker accepted the Big Sky program’s pledge on Jan. 10.

Ruiz took to social media to announce his college choice.

“Beyond blessed to announce that I am committed to playing football for Cal Poly SLO (San Luis Obispo),” Ruiz said via Twitter. “I thank God, my teammates, my family and my coaches for helping me get to this point. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Ruiz led the 9-4 Panthers with 1,341 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. He added 21 catches for 279 yards and two touchdowns at wide receiver. Defensively, he tied for the team lead in sacks with seven and intercepted two passes.

Ruiz was also offered by Air Force, Nevada and Texas-El Paso. 

FOR LORENZO TERRY, PLAYING FOR IDAHO STATE WILL BECOME A DREAM COME TRUE FOR HIM

Lorenzo Terry III of Los Angeles Harbor College has overcome odds and personal tragedy to become a verbal commitment to Idaho State. He now hopes his story can inspire others, particularly his hometown of Hemet, Calif. (photo contributed). 

Most kids who dream of a college football career rarely say that playing for Idaho State would be a dream come true for them. After all, the average young football player has their sights set on chasing collegiate glory at Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, Norte Dame, USC, UCLA, Stanford, etc.

But for Lorenzo Terry III of Los Angeles Harbor College, he can’t wait to suit up for the Bengals and realize his dream of playing on Saturdays. The Football Championship Subdivision school has granted his wish of playing at the collegiate level; plus help bury a series of hardships that include losing a young soul dear to his heart, overcoming a family burglary and lastly, ending the negative attitudes that used to scream in his head while growing up in Hemet, Calif.

“From being that kid who had zero offers, zero stars and zero hype, from having limited help with my recruiting to becoming a Division-I football athlete is a blessing and feeling that some people wouldn't understand,” Terry said. “I had many friends and knew plenty who hung their cleats up after high school, but I told myself that was never going to be me. So what did I do? I stuck with it, prayed and God answered all of my prayers.”

His journey doesn’t just include rising above the opposing opinions of others, but also conquering depression following a family calamity - which nearly ended his football career and ambition of performing at the next level.

MAY 2014

Terry just wrapped up his first year of college, as he suited up for College of the Sequoias in Visalia, located in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Terry wasn’t just coming back to Hemet as a junior college football player, but a new father.

Monroe Arion Terry was supposed to breathe life into the world and add parenting to Terry’s busy life as a college student-athlete. But tragedy struck on May 30…as Monroe became a stillborn and died.

“I was heartbroken. It took piece of life from me that was hard for me to gain back,” Terry said.

His son’s sudden death left a toll on Terry’s mind, to the point where putting on the cleats, gloves and pads nearly became a thing of the past for him.

“For the rest of the 2014 season, I thought I had given up,” Terry said. “I did not attend school nor did I participate on a football team. I was just sitting at home locked in my room, where depression took its hardest hit.”

Terry and his family chose to have his son cremated and then kept inside an urn at the home of Monroe’s grandmother. Then on July 29, 2014, Terry said he lost his son a second time.

“Someone broke into my mother’s home and stole many materialistic values, but none of them mattered to me but one thing…they took my son’s urn with his ashes in them,” Terry said. “That was the last that I had of my son and he was gone not once, but twice.”

Friends of Terry immediately took to Facebook to help Terry find his son’s ashes. Terry not only used Facebook to try to locate the whereabouts of his son, but took to Instagram by using the hashtag “Bring Back Baby Monroe.” There’s been no reports of the urn being returned or found.

After losing his son and the burglary of his mom’s home, Terry returned to the football field with the hope he would become rejuvenated. He wound up finding a new college home – which was a beginning of a healing period for him and his family.

FLYING WITH THE SEAHAWKS...THEN BECOMING A BENGAL

Terry transferred to Los Angeles Harbor College in the summer of 2014. Terry had to redshirt due to transfer rules, but refocused in the classroom and in workouts. Terry calls L.A. Harbor “the college I learned so much from.”

He added new members to his family tree: the Seahawk coaches.

“The coaching staff were great mentors and in a way, father figures to me,” Terry said. “They taught me how to maturely handle situations off and on the field and become mentally strong. They also worked with me to become the best athlete they knew I could be.”

That motivation and relationship with his coaches turned Terry into a valuable contributor for the Seahawks. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Terry emerged as the ‘Hawks’ top lockdown cornerback, as he led the team with nine pass breakups and collected 27 tackles, which led the L.A. Harbor cornerback unit.  

Terry’s ability to hang with the opposition’s top wide receiver did enough to convince Idaho State to look closely at him. Then - via a recommendation from one of Terry’s mentors Kordell Knox, the owner of Gridiron Football Academy – the Bengals decided to extend a scholarship offer to the revitalized Terry.

On Dec. 11, 2015, Terry accepted Idaho State’s offer. The decision wasn’t a weight that was lifted off of Terry’s shoulders, but rather an uplifting moment for a man who needed it.

Terry said he admitted he was nervous about to talking to Idaho State, considering the events that occurred in his life before emerging as a national recruit.

“When coach (Stanley) Franks visited my school, we sat and we talked for a while. He asked for my transcripts, but I was really nervous because of everything that I've been through personally which had a huge effect on my grades,” Terry said. “But he sat there and listened to my story. And that's when I knew God heard my prayers. Coach Franks didn't pass up on me.”

Terry is being recruited to play cornerback, but “coach Franks knows I'll be a dominant threat with the ball in my hands on special teams (kick returns/punt returns) and feels I can play at the nickel position covering inside receivers.”

Terry has a customized photo on his social media pages that tells the story of someone who was looked down upon while chasing a collegiate career (photo contributed). 

INSPIRING HEMET

Hemet isn’t a major community, with a population of approximately 78,000. Therefore, Terry knows he comes from small surroundings.

He also remembers what was said to him while trying to breakout as a national recruit during his prep days at West Valley High School.

“Throughout high school, I was always the small guy and the ‘you'll never make it to Division-I football' target,” Terry said.  “My whole life I've been doubted and always overlooked by many coaches because I wasn't the big body type player everyone was looking for. Where I come from, everyone doesn't make it. So I always told myself ‘I have to show people from where I'm from that nothing is impossible.’”

If Hemet football players have ever had trouble making it to the NCAA DI ranks, Terry just kicked that door open. He’s not only a solid commitment to Idaho State or is thankful for everyone who never stopped believing in him, but personal misfortune never derailed his trek to the FCS realm. He hopes his story inspires others.

Said Terry: “I have a special quote that I would like to tell all underrated athletes out there or people going through a rough time in their life: Never give up, nothing is impossible and the possible is only possible if you are determined to make it happen.”

IT'S STINGERS UP FOR DYNAMIC LEMOORE ATHLETE

Lemoore athlete Allen Perryman verbally committed to Sacramento State on Thursday, Jan. 7. Perryman helped lead the Tigers to a combined 22-4 record in the past two seasons (photo credit: Central Valley Football). 

Three days ago, Lemoore High athlete Allen Perryman said he wasn’t sure when he’ll announce his college choice and that he wanted to wait it out and see what other football programs would extend an offer to him.

But that changed on Thursday, Jan. 7, as the versatile Class of 2016 prospect decided to commit to Sacramento State.

Perryman, who helped guide the Tigers to back-to-back 11-win seasons, said his phone would constantly ring with Hornet coaches on the other line. That told him how bad the Hornet coaching staff wanted Perryman on the Big Sky Conference campus.

“I was constantly getting phone calls (from them) wondering how things were going and if I had made a decision or not,” Perryman said. “It feels good to make a commitment because I'm not stressing over which school I want to choose. I chose Sac State because they showed me the most attention out of most schools.”

Perryman - who shined at wide receiver, running back and safety for the Central Section Division-II title game runner-up - said he’s being recruited on offense. He adds that Hornet head coach Jody Sears had him sold during two home visits.

“When you’re able to get a head coach to come to your house on the second visit and tells you that I can play five different positions on his team, it makes it (Sac State) the perfect fit,” Perryman said.

Offensively, Perryman hauled in 31 catches for 503 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He included 154 rushing yards and two touchdowns to his offensive total.

He also was known for snatching the ball from the sky on defense, as the sure-handed Perryman intercepted 12 passes in the last two years at Lemoore.

Perryman held one other offer from Weber State. He has no intentions to de-commit from the Hornets.

Said Perryman: “Out of my offers, there was no other school that could compare to Sacramento, so it's a solid commitment.” 

ON THE GOLDEN STATE RECRUITING TRAIL: OREGON IS THE FIRST TO OFFER MISSION VIEJO STAR

Mission Viejo athlete Olaijah Griffin landed his first scholarship offer from Oregon on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Griffin doubled as a play-making wide receiver and cornerback for the undefeated Diablos in 2015-16 (photo contributed). 

Olaijah Griffin of Mission Viejo High School – just three weeks removed from leading the Diablos to a perfect 16-0 mark and state championship – received the first of what could be many offers for the Class of 2018 prospect: a pledge from the University of Oregon.

The 6-foot, 170-pound Griffin announced his scholarship offer from the Ducks on Tuesday, Jan. 5, via social media.

Griffin, who is the son of hip-hop legend Warren G, intercepted four passes on defense for Mission Viejo this past season. Griffin and the Diablos blanked Bellarmine (San Jose) 24-0 on Dec. 18 to win the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division I-AA title at Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium.

Griffin has also received interest from Washington through letters.

NO DECISION YET FOR LEMOORE TWO-WAY STAR

Opposing offenses may have thrown the football away from the ball-hawking Allen Perryman of Lemoore High this past season, but that hasn’t stopped college coaches from swinging by the Kings County campus to inquire about the Class of 2016 athlete.

Perryman - who erupted on the recruiting trail following a brilliant nine interception season in 2014-15 - told Cali Gold Mine that he’s drawn late interest from UNLV, Montana, UC Davis, Wyoming and Azusa Pacific plus holds two offers from Weber State and Sacramento State, with the latter being the most recent scholarship opportunity.

Perryman managed just three interceptions in 2015-16 for the 11-3 Tigers, but scored 10 receiving touchdowns for the Lemoore offense.

The versatile 6-foot-1, 170-pound Perryman said he’s still keeping his options open during the final recruiting quarter.

“I haven't decided when I'll make my decision,” Perryman said. “I'm still waiting it out to see if I'll get any more offers coming in.”

NEARBY UNIVERSITY LIKES SAN JOAQUIN MEMORIAL (FRESNO) RECEIVER ON DEFENSE

Chris Paz is known for being San Joaquin Memorial’s version of “Megatron” in the 559 – proven by his size (6-foot-3, 205-pounds), physicality against cornerbacks and for snatching 57 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns to lead the Panthers.

But one nearby Mountain West University is becoming interested in his defensive game.

Paz said Fresno State, which is located 12 minutes away from his high school, has coaches who like what he does on the opposite side of the ball.

“More so at strong safety/linebacker,” Paz said. “But they do like that I play multiple positions.”

Paz led the Panthers with four interceptions from his safety spot. He adds that NCAA Division II program Humboldt State is interested in him and wants Paz to take an official visit soon to the campus.

VISITS ARE LINED UP FOR ST. BONAVENTURE (VENTURA) LINEBACKER

Josh Inglis of St. Bonaventure will soon go on an NAIA and Division III tour later this January. The 6-foot, 205-pound outside linebacker has told CGM that he has visits lined up for Northwestern College (Jan. 30) and D-III Pacific University (Oregon) on Feb. 25.

Inglis, who was known as a run stuffer for the 7-4 Seraphs, said he’s blessed to have the opportunity to visit different colleges and recalled one message from a former Bonnie coach that still resonates in the 2016 prospect’s brain.

“I'll never forget the old St. Bonaventure football coach Todd Therrien sat me down and said D-II’s, D-III’s, and NAIA’s have the hardest working coaches and athletes in college football,” Inglis said. “Kids like us will out work most D-I athletes because of the love for the game.”

Western New Mexico and Humboldt are two other schools that have shown interest in Inglis.