April Film Series: 2024s Pt. I

<em>April’s edition of the CA Film Series features a two-part breakdown of standout sophomores getting ready for their junior seasons. Owen Long of La Serna is positioned as one of the more underrated two-way players in the c/o 2024 and [player_tooltip player_id="147748" first="Ruben" last="Gamboa"] has started attracting D-I interest after taking an unofficial visit to UCLA in April. </em> <b>Owen Long- ATH, La Serna</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Long was a two-way standout for La Serna last season posting 90 tackles and 4 INTs as a SS/OLB and 1,150 all-purpose yards as a RB. He’s dynamic as a defender showing ability to read QB eyes, solid understanding of route concepts, and timing to jump routes in coverage. He flashes athleticism and coverage instincts dropping into a deep zone and makes plays on the ball in the middle of the field. He works downhill aggressively in the run game and is a violent tackler at the POA. He’s a productive RB that can bounce off tackles and shows top-end speed at the second and third levels. Long could be considered one of the more underrated 2024 SoCal prospects and should be due for D-I interest in the near future.</span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sophomore Film: -1,150 All-Purpose Yards -90 Tackles -4 Interceptions -16 Total Touchdowns <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachPerrone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachPerrone</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Aztecgodlh22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Aztecgodlh22</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GregBiggins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregBiggins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonHuffman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrandonHuffman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SGVNSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SGVNSports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/James_Escarcega?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@James_Escarcega</a> <a href="https://t.co/lvNfl2QxzL">https://t.co/lvNfl2QxzL</a></p> — Owen Long (@owenlong22) <a href="https://twitter.com/owenlong22/status/1462989619411173378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2021</a></blockquote> <a href="http://blockquote%20class=twitter-tweetp%20lang=en%20dir=ltrSophomore%20Film:%20br-1,150%20All-Purpose%20Yardsbr-90%20Tacklesbr-4%20Interceptionsbr-16%20Total%20Touchdowns%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/CoachPerrone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@CoachPerrone/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/Aztecgodlh22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@Aztecgodlh22/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/GregBiggins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@GregBiggins/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/BrandonHuffman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@BrandonHuffman/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/SGVNSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@SGVNSports/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/James_Escarcega?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@James_Escarcega/a%20a%20href=https://t.co/lvNfl2QxzLhttps://t.co/lvNfl2QxzL/a/p—%20Owen%20Long%20(@owenlong22)%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/owenlong22/status/1462989619411173378?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwNovember%2023,%202021/a/blockquote%20script%20async%20src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js%20charset=utf-8/script"><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></a> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="147748" first="Ruben" last="Gamboa"]- DB, Sierra Canyon</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Gamboa is a highly versatile defender that can make plays anywhere in the secondary. He’s an excellent read-and-react defender that plays with the physicality of a OLB/SS and coverage instincts of a DB. He closes space quickly and is an aggressive downhill tackler. Gamboa will play at Sierra Canyon in the fall after transferring from Chaminade where he posted 62 tackles and 2 INTs as a sophomore. His versatility and overall skillset make him an intriguing prospect that could be in line for some D-I offers this year.</span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Had a Great Visit to UCLA today with <a href="https://twitter.com/marquisg02?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@marquisg02</a> ! Looking forward to being back on campus soon!🐻🔵🟡 <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachChev6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachChev6</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SierraCanyonFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SierraCanyonFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/premiumsportsla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@premiumsportsla</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UCLAFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UCLAFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/43vH5ePbEm">pic.twitter.com/43vH5ePbEm</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="147748" first="Ruben" last="Gamboa"] (@rubengamboa03) <a href="https://twitter.com/rubengamboa03/status/1511519049263448064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <a href="http://blockquote%20class=twitter-tweetp%20lang=en%20dir=ltrHad%20a%20Great%20Visit%20to%20UCLA%20today%20with%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/marquisg02?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@marquisg02/a%20!%20Looking%20forward%20to%20being%20back%20on%20campus%20soon!🐻🔵🟡%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/CoachChev6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@CoachChev6/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/SierraCanyonFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@SierraCanyonFB/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/premiumsportsla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@premiumsportsla/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/UCLAFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@UCLAFootball/a%20a%20href=https://t.co/43vH5ePbEmpic.twitter.com/43vH5ePbEm/a/p—%20Ruben%20Gamboa%20(@rubengamboa03)%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/rubengamboa03/status/1511519049263448064?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwApril%206,%202022/a/blockquote%20script%20async%20src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js%20charset=utf-8/script"><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></a> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="147763" first="Hunter" last="Najm"]- QB, Aliso Niguel</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Najm flashed raw ability at the PRZ Showcase in January after appearing in six games his sophomore season. He showed off his arm strength pushing the ball downfield with accuracy and ability to add touch and velocity fitting throws into tight windows. He has a bit of a wind-up motion bringing the ball low on his release and would like to see him hold the ball higher on the shelf and shorten the overall release. Najm should be in line for a starting role next season and will be a QB to watch develop over the next two seasons.</span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Check out my highlight - <a href="https://t.co/YVY3l337Cj">https://t.co/YVY3l337Cj</a> Thank you for everyone who has made this season great! <a href="https://twitter.com/coachcalahan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachcalahan</a>⁩ ⁦⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/ScottieGraham?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScottieGraham</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachChapatte?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachChapatte</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachBegnal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBegnal</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachPart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachPart</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/Ballhawk__8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ballhawk__8</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/ToledoQBs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ToledoQBs</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachThomson_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachThomson_</a>⁩</p> — [player_tooltip player_id="147763" first="Hunter" last="Najm"] (@HunterNajm) <a href="https://twitter.com/HunterNajm/status/1458285391203606532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <a href="http://blockquote%20class=twitter-tweetp%20lang=en%20dir=ltrCheck%20out%20my%20highlight%20-%20a%20href=https://t.co/YVY3l337Cjhttps://t.co/YVY3l337Cj/abrThank%20you%20for%20everyone%20who%20has%20made%20this%20season%20great!%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/coachcalahan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@coachcalahan/a⁩br⁦⁦a%20href=https://twitter.com/ScottieGraham?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@ScottieGraham/a⁩%20⁦a%20href=https://twitter.com/CoachChapatte?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@CoachChapatte/a⁩%20⁦a%20href=https://twitter.com/CoachBegnal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@CoachBegnal/a⁩%20⁦a%20href=https://twitter.com/CoachPart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@CoachPart/a⁩%20⁦a%20href=https://twitter.com/Ballhawk__8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@Ballhawk__8/a⁩%20⁦a%20href=https://twitter.com/ToledoQBs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@ToledoQBs/a⁩%20⁦a%20href=https://twitter.com/CoachThomson_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@CoachThomson_/a⁩/p—%20Hunter%20Najm%20(@HunterNajm)%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/HunterNajm/status/1458285391203606532?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwNovember%2010,%202021/a/blockquote%20script%20async%20src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js%20charset=utf-8/script"><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></a> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="147753" first="Jordan" last="Colbert"]- ATH, Buhach Colony</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Colbert served several roles in his sophomore season for Buhach Colony playing snaps at WR, RB, and OLB. He has an athletic, physical body at 6’1”/190 and is a punishing ball-carrier out of the backfield that can run through tackles. He has strong, reliable hands as a receiver and can make plays in space after the catch. He’s a physical tackler from his OLB spot that flashes athleticism and spatial awareness in coverage. Colbert should continue to develop as a two-way player but at this stage looks like his size and physicality translate as an OLB at the next level.</span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">[player_tooltip player_id="147753" first="Jordan" last="Colbert"] c/o2024 Wr/safety 2 interceptions on the day with the championship win 🥇 <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTTMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTTMP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mrgaines559?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mrgaines559</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonHuffman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrandonHuffman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SWAG_merco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SWAG_merco</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkSpeckman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarkSpeckman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Albert_GarciaFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Albert_GarciaFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/kt8f7EKOX4">pic.twitter.com/kt8f7EKOX4</a></p> — [player_tooltip player_id="147753" first="Jordan" last="Colbert"] (@Jordan17073410) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jordan17073410/status/1510748258548674565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <a href="http://blockquote%20class=twitter-tweetp%20lang=en%20dir=ltrJordan%20Colbert%20c/o2024%20Wr/safety%202%20interceptions%20on%20the%20day%20with%20the%20championship%20win%20🥇%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/CoachTTMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@CoachTTMP/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/mrgaines559?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@mrgaines559/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/BrandonHuffman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@BrandonHuffman/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/SWAG_merco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@SWAG_merco/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/MarkSpeckman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@MarkSpeckman/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/Albert_GarciaFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@Albert_GarciaFB/a%20a%20href=https://t.co/kt8f7EKOX4pic.twitter.com/kt8f7EKOX4/a/p—%20Jordan%20Colbert%20(@Jordan17073410)%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/Jordan17073410/status/1510748258548674565?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwApril%203,%202022/a/blockquote%20script%20async%20src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js%20charset=utf-8/script"><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></a> <b>Chase Smith- ATH, Merced</b> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Smith is a dynamic two-way player at RB and CB. He’s a playmaker in space possessing explosive speed and elusiveness. He shows vision finding lanes and ability to stick his foot in the ground and get vertical upfield. He’s an effective player in coverage that can cover out wide or inside over the slot. He has light, quick feet and the speed to run downfield with receivers. Smith will be an exciting playmaker to keep an eye on this fall. </span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chase Smith C/O 2024 at Merced High in Merced CA. <a href="https://twitter.com/Hudl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Hudl</a> <a href="https://t.co/jgAumplkFV">https://t.co/jgAumplkFV</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hudl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hudl</a></p> — Chase Smith (@chasebeenhim) <a href="https://twitter.com/chasebeenhim/status/1465447193821663234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <a href="http://blockquote%20class=twitter-tweetp%20lang=en%20dir=ltrChase%20Smith%20C/O%202024%20at%20Merced%20High%20in%20Merced%20CA.%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/Hudl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw@Hudl/a%20a%20href=https://t.co/jgAumplkFVhttps://t.co/jgAumplkFV/a%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/hudl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw#hudl/a/p—%20Chase%20Smith%20(@chasebeenhim)%20a%20href=https://twitter.com/chasebeenhim/status/1465447193821663234?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwNovember%2029,%202021/a/blockquote%20script%20async%20src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js%20charset=utf-8/script"><script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script></a>