2022 Program Preview: Rancho Cotate High School

<em><strong>What will be one of the top D2 teams in the NCS this season, the cougars have some special FBS level talents returning to their team and who should contribute in big ways. Going into the season, the Cougars have some big time players on the perimeter lead by two Pac-12 caliber kids and an under-rated running back in Potu Hale. Below, we will highlight some of the teams top impact players going into the season and breakdown their 2021 film. </strong></em> <hr /> &nbsp; <strong>WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id="145259" first="Sailasa" last="Vadrawale"], 2023 </strong> Fresh off his commitment to Cal, he is one of the best players across all of California at the third level. The three star prospect should take over the NBL this season and be a star on both sides of the ball as he possesses elite instincts and football IQ on the backend. Explosive on the outside with elite tracking abilities and ball skills, he is also an elite returner and should make a big impact in every game he plays in. &nbsp; <strong>WR/DB Ananias Walker, 2024</strong> Walker currently is one of the top players in the 2024 class in the Bay Area and holds offers from Cal, Washington and Colorado State. Going into 2022, he will also be a top weapon on the outside and wins at the POA with 50/50 balls and contested catches downfield. On defense, he is a long and rangy player that plays physical at the POA and wins with recovery speed and length downfield. Walker is a high impact player on both sides of the ball. &nbsp; <strong>QB Liam Keaney, 2023 </strong> Keaney is a veteran signal caller that can push the ball downfield efficiently and is a good athlete in the pocket that shows some escapability and can throw on the run with open field speed. In the pocket, he can throw accurately vertically and is not afraid to check down to backs and underneath routes while putting good zip on the ball within the intermediate game and in tight windows. A very under-rated runner, he is effective when scrambling and can make defenders miss in the open field while effectively moving the pocket. &nbsp; <strong>RB Potu Hale, 2024 </strong> Hale is a terrific runner that is dynamic out of the backfield and can catch the ball from multiple different angles and is tough to bring down in the open field. Quick through the hole with good feet, he has a natural forward lean in-between the tackles with short area quickness and can make defenders miss in the hole. In 2022, he should be one of the top backs across the North Bay and will turn some heads due to his versatility out of the backfield. &nbsp; <strong>OL/DL Malik Cleveland, 2023 </strong> Cleveland is one of the top lineman across the Bay Area and is a mauler from his tackle position while excelling in pass protection and having a strong punch at the POA in the inside run game. Able to pull and block at the second level, he will lead what should be a solid rushing attack for the Cougars while also being a two-gap interior plug on the defensive line with some pass rush abilities as well. &nbsp; <strong>OLB Tyler Nixon, 2023 </strong> Nixon is a returning starter from his outside linebacker position and is a physical defender that can play in the box and makes plays outside the tackles while violent at the POA and a high motor player. A strong tackler in space while taking good angles in the open field, he shows lateral movement abilities and explodes through contact and should be one of the top defenders the Oak Division has to offer in 2022. He is in line for a breakout season. &nbsp; <strong>QB/DB [player_tooltip player_id="195563" first="Jacob" last="Pruitt"], 2024</strong> Pruitt is a track star and one of the fastest players across the Bay Area and can be used in multiple different ways from his quarterback and corner position. Explosive with the ball in his hands, he has elite open field speed and can make defenders miss in the hole while showing a strong initial burst and good ball skills in the back end. A very elusive gadget player from the backfield, Pruitt will be a dangerous weapon for the Cougars this season.