Official visits coming for Rhode Island three-star ATH/WR Israel Hiraldo
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Pound for pound, numerical stat by numerical stat, there may not have been a more important person to a given team last season than what Israel Hiraldo was for Mount Pleasant High School. The three-star standout did everything against Rhode Island competition leading his team in rush yards, receiving yards, tied for a team-high in tackles, led his squad in picks and kick return yards. Getting deeper into his senior season, the look ahead for the do-all athlete is that next level fit.
While Hiraldo (6-0, 190) can seemingly do it all on the gridiron, college programs see it much the same, but just on offense.
“I’m being recruiting as a receiver mostly,” Hiraldo said. “Athlete is in there too. Teams are talking about playing me at running back, slot receiver, on the outside, and as a returner.”
What Hiraldo does on the field for the Kilties’ offense was explained, “We run mostly a Spread; trips, we like to run trips. I run all types of routes – comebacks, posts, whips, slants, and go routes.”
The development from one season to the next shows in Hiraldo’s game.
“I see it in my speed,” Hiraldo stated. “Every receiver can catch and run routes, that’s development. The mental part is a big part, you have to have your head on straight.”
The offering teams were listed by Hiraldo, “UNLV, Bowling Green, West Virginia, URI (Rhode Island), and Maryland.”
The schools tracking Hiraldo this season were covered, “There’s a lot, Penn State, Syracuse, Florida, Georgia Tech, BC (Boston College), and Rutgers. A lot of Big Ten, FCS, and other Power Five schools are recruiting me.”
Hiraldo continued giving insight into his recruiting process, “UNLV is showing the most love; they are sending me graphics. Maryland has sent a couple of graphics and they send mail. Penn State’s coaches, they call and communicate.”
Over the offseason, Hiraldo took trips to Michigan, Boston College, Rutgers, Penn State, Syracuse, URI, UConn, UMass, and Delaware. The next round of visits is ramping up.
“I visited UConn, and I am going to a URI game on Saturday,” Hiraldo shared.
The time hanging with the Huskies in East Hartford was updated.
“It was great,” Hiraldo said. “I’ve been there a couple of times. I am getting to know the full staff; it is going good over there.”
Before getting to see the Rams take on Bryant this weekend at Meade Stadium, Hiraldo shared his interest in URI.
“URI is really close to the house, which is close to my family; it is a good spot,” Hiraldo shared. “They are very welcoming.”
Nothing is set on the calendar yet, but a few more trips could spring this fall.
“I definitely want to visit UNLV, I should be going to West Virginia, Maryland, and Bowling Green,” Hiraldo stated.
The rapport with the Rebels was detailed.
“The bond is great,” Hiraldo said. “I was texting their head coach, coach (Barry) Odom, and their QB coach, coach (Brennan) Marion, and then I started talking to Brad Odom (dir. player personnel), it kept going from there. I am also in touch with a couple of their student assistants, we stay in contact.”
After the season, Hiraldo will start booking flights for official visits.
“I would love to go on an official to Penn State to see what they’ve got,” Hiraldo shared. “UNLV too. I have been looking at those flights to Vegas; that is one I am hyped for.”