Recruiting news: Elk Grove’s Zeke Burnett commits to play college football near home

Every year, the Sacramento area produces scores of Division I football recruits. Every winter, more than a dozen athletes from the area sign National Letter of Intent papers to continue their careers at the collegiate level.

The class of 2022 had its recruitments slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most seniors were able to produce some game film clips for recruiters from the spring season, but most are using this fall as their last chance to earn an athletic scholarship at any level.

Other players expected to commit to a Division l school soon from the senior class include:

Capital Christian quarterback Anthony Garcia and his teammate Cameron Sampson, who plays offense and defense.

Rocklin receiver Nathan Kent and Rocklin lineman Brad Baur.

Sacramento receiver/cornerback Lamont Johnson-Burrell.

Christian Brothers running back D.J. Crowther.

Inderkum defensive back Amani Pressley

Vacaville running back Darian Leon-Guerrero.

Jesuit defensive back Garrett McGriff.

A closer peek at those who have given verbal commitments:

Zeke Burnett, RB, Elk Grove

Burnett committed to Sacramento State this week. He picked the Hornets over Colorado, Colorado State, Fresno State, Nevada and UNLV, among others. The 5-foot-11, 190 pound senior started his prep career at Capital Christian before transferring to Elk Grove during his junior season. Burnett didn’t play during the spring due to injury, but in six games this fall, Burnett leads Elk Grove in rushing with 626 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Justin Eklund, OLB, Folsom

Eklund was the first area player to commit to a Division l school., to San Jose State in June after receiving offers from a handful of Big Sky Conference programs. Eklund was the first player in the 2022 class that Sac State offered. The 6-foot-3, 220 pound outside linebacker missed his sophomore season due to a hand injury. During that time, Eklund transferred from Rocklin to Folsom. He ranks first on Folsom in sacks (four) and tackles for loss (six) through the first seven games.

Bobby Piland, OL, Rocklin

Piland has had a dominating four-year varsity career. The 6-foot-2, 295 pound senior puts fear into opponents because of his relentless efforts. He committed to Air Force in July after a long recruiting process that saw him receive offers from Army, Cal Poly, Fordham and others. Ivy League programs Columbia, Harvard and Princeton also expressed interest, which speaks of Piland’s academic standing. Piland was The Bee’s Offensive Lineman of the Year during the spring.

C.J. McMillan, OL, Capital Christian

McMillan has yet to play this season because he wasn’t cleared by the Sac-Joaquin Section after exhausting all of his semesters of eligibility. He recently committed to Northern Arizona. Nevada also showed interest in the 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman.

Who’d we miss? Email Cameron Salerno at csalerno@sacbee.com and Joe Davidson to jdavidson@sacbee.com with offers and commitments.

This story was originally published October 17, 2021 at 9:22 AM.