Sacramento-area high school football players with college commitments and 10 more to watch
Several Sacramento-area high school football seniors have already made verbal college commitments as the 2024 season approaches.
The region as of this writing has at least 11 student-athletes who have made their pledge since the spring, though full scholarship packages to Division I programs are not binding until student-athletes sign letters of intent in the winter months.
Here’s a closer look at the players who have committed thus far plus 10 more who could announce their decisions in the coming weeks.
Lucan Amituanai
Position: Defensive line
Height/weight: 6-4, 235
School: Elk Grove
Commitment: Washington State
Comment: A first-team Bee All-Metro pick last fall, The Big A makes plays for the storied Thundering Herd. Added 20 pounds of bulk and muscle in off-season.
Garrison Blank
Position: Offensive line
Height/weight: 6-7, 300
School: Rocklin
Commitment: UCLA
Comment: A Bee All-Metro pick in 2023, Blank looks the part of a left tackle with his length and tenacity, and he’s also played guard for the Thunder after admitting to being a bit uncoordinated as a big kid growing up. He was a big reason, literally, why Rocklin won a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section championship last fall, and he reminds us of Kolton Miller, the Roseville High star who started at UCLA on the offensive line and became a Raiders first-round draft pick.
Kaleb Edwards
Position: Tight end
Height/weight: 6-7, 245
School: Oak Ridge
Commitment: Alabama
Comment: A Bee All-Metro pick in 2023, Edwards is the most impressive tight end in El Dorado Hills since Tyler Ecker earned prep All-American honors and played at Michigan in the 2000s. They are the same size at this stage and are the same sort of national recruit, and don’t tell Ecker, but Edwards may be faster in the open field. Edwards also plays defensive end and basketball, too.
Jaron Hodson
Position: Defensive back
Height/weight: 6-0, 180
School: Folsom
Commitment: Sacramento State
Comment: A Bee All-Metro selection in 2023, Hodson is a pesky and tough cover guy, headed to the Hornets, a program big on local recruits. It’s a wide-open game in college with passes on nearly every down, so Hodson will be in his element in the Big Sky Conference. His immediate goal is to help Folsom repeat as a section, Northern California and CIF state champion.
Elijah Huddle
Position: Receiver/Athlete
Height/weight: 6-3, 205
School: Casa Roble
Commitment: Sacramento State
Comment: A returning Bee All-Metro pick, Huddle is athletic, versatile, quick and tough. He played a big role in helping Casa Roble win a section title last fall and could help the Rams repeat this season. He can play offense and defense and figures to fit right in with Sacramento State in its wide-open attack.
Carter Jackson
Position: Running back
Height/weight: 5-10, 185
School: Folsom
Commitment: Nevada
Comment: A two-time Bee All-Metro pick, Carter started his prep career at Folsom, then played two years at Granite Bay, rushing for 3,099 yards and 43 touchdowns. He is now returning to Folsom, where he will run the ball and play some defense. Carter started as a freshman on defense in a state title game for Folsom. He’s the fastest breakaway guy in the region and is also a burner in track and field.
Mason Johnson
Position: Receiver
Height/weight: 6-2, 185
School: West Park
Commitment: Nevada
Comment: A 3-star for the rising-fast Panthers of Roseville, Johnson also makes plays on returns and he had 1,524 total yards and 13 scores in 2023.
Isaiah Jordan
Position: Receiver/Defensive back
School: Christian Brothers
Commitment: Air Force
Comment: A Bee All-Metro guy in 2023, Jordan is athletic and fun to watch, an anchor for Christian Brothers. He caught nine touchdown passes in 2023 and made plays on defense. Still growing and still improving.
Josiah Sharma
Position: Defensive line/Offensive line
Height/weight: 6-5, 325
School: Folsom
Commitment: Texas
Comment: Sharma has been a dominant two-way lineman during his time at Inderkum High, earning big-time scholarship offers from across the country, and his transfer to Folsom makes the rich even richer. At just 16 years old, he’s still growing in size and in football knowledge. Colleges want him on defense. He has flipped his verbal from Oregon to Texas.
Kam Totton
Position: Defensive back
Height/weight: 5-10, 175
School: Folsom
Commitment: UC Davis
Comment: Totton is a transfer from Cosumnes Oaks in Elk Grove, where he made plays on offense and defense for a playoff team last fall in earning Bee All-Metro honors. UCD feeds off recruits like this.
Nela Tupou
Position: Tight end/Linebacker
Height/weight: 6-4, 225
School: Folsom
Commitment: Utah
Comment: Tupou caught three touchdowns last season, likes contact, can make plays on defense and is still growing. He also comes from a great football family.
Soon to commit?
Other regional players with Division I recruiting interest who hope to commit soon include:
Josiah Campbell, LB, Christian Brothers
Lon Chouteau, WR, Inderkum
Eljah Folau, LB, Monterey Trail
Theo Greule, DL, Folsom
Nick Harris, QB, Granite Bay
Henry Hatada, OL/DL, Rocklin
Brandon Lambert, RB/DB, Grant (transfer from Cosumnes Oaks)
Derek Keeley, LB, Rocklin
Jeremiah Tuiileila, DE, Grant
▪ Who’d we miss? Update us on area football players on the recruiting radar, especially those who have given a verbal commitment to a Division I program.
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This story was originally published July 27, 2024 at 6:00 AM.