14 More Impressive 2019 California Recruits Still Available on the Recruiting Trail

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Photo credit: Raymond Joyce Photography

Twitter: @RJPSports

We are swiftly moving towards National Signing Day for the 2019 class coming on Feb. 6. Crunch time has come on the trail for both college football staffs and seniors seeking that perfect fit but also needing time to take official visits to see if that ‘home feeling’ is there. The following is another RNG breakdown of top California players still available on the recruiting trail that could be an impact player at the right school.

*Related article: Top Under the Radar Three-Star Uncommitted California Recruits

Top Uncommitted Under the Radar California Recruits

QB Chris Venegas (5-9.5, 175) – Warren High School, Downey

Chris Venegas has put up an impressive three-year starting career record with the Bears. He finished his career with 6,546 passing yards, 83 touchdowns tossed, a 60 percent completion rate, and a 115.2 QBR. He also compiled 1,092 yards on the ground playing against San Gabriel Valley League competition. He closed out his senior year throwing darts hitting 174 of 259 for 2,776 yards with an amazing 38-4 touchdown-interception ratio. Venegas has an offer from Army.

DE/TE Reece Hite (6-4, 235) – Mission Viejo High School, Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo produced a hard worker on the field and in the classroom in end Reece Hite. Hite produced 33 stops, 20 solo, nine tackles for a loss, five sacks, and a fumble recovery during his junior year and got 22 stops, five tackles for a loss, and a sack in eight games in 2018. College recruiters do not have to worry about Hite’s transcripts, a 4-plus cumulative GPA and a 1310 on the SAT. Reported offers from Brown, Pennsylvania, Columbia, Utah State, and Yale have come in for the Orange County product.

OLB Jerome Wilson (6-3, 205) – Etiwanda High School, Etiwanda

Over the past two seasons, opposing California teams have done their best to scheme against Wilson’s side of the field, but that has not stopped him from making plays. In 2017, he put an end to 63 plays with eight tackles for a loss, and four passes broken up. With stats posted through nine games, Wilson tallied 56 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and recovered a fumble during his senior year. Reported offers for Wilson are Washington State, Yale, Montana State, and Utah.

LB Zach Brogden (6-1, 215) – Orange Lutheran High School, Orange

Looking for a bell ringer in the box, Brogden is that guy. He earned first team All-Trinity League honors as a junior with an estimated stat line of 90-plus tackles, 78 of the solo variety, with 7.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, a pick, and a forced fumble. Through seven games in 2018, he compiled 61 tackles, 41 solo, 14 tackles for a loss, and a forced fumble. Brogden is not without admirers on the next level. Air Force, San Jose State, Nevada, and Navy have extended scholarship offers.

CB Josh Doyle (5-10, 160) – Valencia High School, Valencia

For some reason opposing quarterbacks kept trying Josh Doyle in the passing game but ended up losing time and time again. Full 2018 season stats for Doyle were not released, but he did pick off five passes. Doyle has reported offers from San Jose State and Idaho.

RB Shawn Poma (5-8, 195) – Cathedral Catholic, San Diego

Shawn Poma is a true workhorse back and a true gem being missed out on by college scouts. The 5-8, 195-pound, tailback is a ground and pound type who can work over defenses in the box for four quarters without showing signs of wearing out. He had a breakout sophomore season with 1,338 yards off 153 carries with 19 scores and caught 12 passes for 292 yards with three more touchdowns. The Dons went 5-7 without him for a full season in 2017 but were one of the best teams in the Golden State in 2018 producing a 12-2 record ending the year ranked No. 9 in-state by MaxPreps. Full season stats for Poma have not been posted, but in 10 games, he rushed for 1,413 yards averaging 10 yards per carry with 17 touchdowns. He added to the stat line with seven receptions for 188 yards and two more scores.

WR Koale Schroeder (6-1, 167) – Chaparral High School, Temecula

Koale Schroeder checks all the boxes for college coaches; he’s well-coached, a technician on the outside who can play on the inside, athletic, quick, and gets the job done. In 2017, Schroeder had 1,300 yards off 57 receptions with 18 scores. He earned first team All-Sunbelt and All-CIF honors in 2018 after taking in 51 passes for 637 yards with six touchdowns in 10 games. Another area where Schroeder can contribute at the next level is on special teams. He took back seven kicks for 282 yards, with a long of 95-yards, and five punts for 40 yards.

OG Ryan Suliafu (6-2, 315) – JSerra Catholic – San Juan Capistrano

College coaches looking for a grinder in the trenches, Ryan Suliafu might be the perfect fit for you. With strength, power, and technique, Suliafu squared off against some of the top teams in the region knocking heads against Calabasas, Bishop Amat, Pinnacle (AZ), Faith Lutheran (NV), St. John Bosco, Orange Lutheran, national champs Mater Dei, and Oaks Christian. Keeping three-star QB Caden Bell’s jersey clean while blowing open holes for future four-star 2020 running back Chris Street, Suliafu helped the Lions to a 9-3 season and a No. 17 national ranking. Reported offers have come in from Rhode Island and New Mexico.

WR Kalani Washington (5-9, 185) – La Habra High School, La Habra

There are not many players out there who will outwork Kalani Washington. During his high school career he has done a little bit of everything for La Habra including play running back, be a kick return specialist, line up at corner, and shine as a receiver. The only thing Washington is missing is perhaps more opportunities to showcase what he can do on the field. His junior season ended with 25 receptions for 461 with four sores and his senior year was somewhat the same with 24 receptions for 328 yards with six touchdowns in stats posted through six games. Offers have come in from Columbia, Stetson, and Dixie State. Another high-achiever in the classroom, Washington scored a 1230 on the SAT.

LB Kyle Thornton (6-2, 225) – Upland High School, Upland

Upland was another one of California’s top teams in 2018 posting a 12-3 record with no shortage of talent on the Scots rosters. One of the play-makers on defense who got it done through all 15 games was Kyle Thornton. As part of a linebacking unit that included Justin and Jonathan Flowe, Thornton racked up 83 tackles, 48 solo, two tackles for a loss, four sacks, five QB hurries, a pick, and a forced fumble. Thornton is another recruit college coaches do not have to worry about with a 4.25 GPA and a 1300 on the SAT. An offer has been extended from the University of San Diego with interest from Yale, Army, and Air Force.

OL Nicholas Peck (6-4, 303) – Colony High School, Ontario

Nicholas Peck is another grinder in the box with size and strength still on the recruiting trail. The big man excels at finishing plays and has a little nasty streak to his game from the snap to the whistle. He is versatile in the trenches capable of playing guard, tackle, and center, and he can long snap. So it seems, about every other Pac-12 and Mountain West Conference team has shown interest down the backstretch of the recruiting season. Toledo has offered. Another positive going in Peck’s favor, a 3.89 cumulative GPA and a 21 scored on the ACT.

ATH (RB/DB) Oshea Davis (5-10, 175) – Eisenhower High School, Rialto

Oshea Davis had the kind of senior season all players dream of helping guide his team to state seeing the Eagles post a 14-1 record. Full season stats for the Eagles have not been posted, but in the six game stats shared, Davis rushed for 463 yards off 46 carries with seven scores posted. He also hauled in a couple of passes for 32 yards. He also came up with 25 stops, 16 solo, and blocked a field goal. On special teams, he took back three kicks for 113 yards and four punts for 187 yards breaking an 85-yarder.

ATH (WR/DB) Martin Keeley (6-0, 180) – Covina High School, Covina

Keeley is an all-around athlete capable of playing safety or receiver. He spent his early days at the high school level with Durante finishing his career with the Covina Colts. His senior year produced a stat line of 12 receptions for 194 yards with three touchdowns and 19 tackles with a pick. Keeley is rated as one of the Top 100 players in California by 247Sports. A reported offer from Nebraska has been extended.

WR Robbie Colenzo (5-7, 155) – Warren High School, Downey

Coaches that have seen Colenzo work in person have fallen in love leading to Power 5 walk-on offers. His height may be a deterrent but the young man can play. In 2017, Colenzo secured 43 passes for 752 yards with eight scores in 10 games. To close out his senior year, he pulled in 50 passes for 674 yards with five more trips to the end zone. Colenzo further showed off his athleticism on defense as a junior and over the past two seasons has been a difference maker as a return specialist. In 2018, he took back 15 kicks for 350 yards and nine punts for 246 yards with a long of 76 yards.

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Photo credit: Chris Venegas at the Rise and Fire Camp