2026 Rankings Risers: Orange County (Part 2)

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284693"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6787624a66ee2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hopkins threw for 1111 yards with 13 touchdowns and also ran for eight touchdowns in his first season as the starter for JSerra.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His legs make him dangerous but he improved as a passer from when I saw him over the summer. He makes the correct read the vast majority of the time and is accurate on the intermediate throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Laser TD ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/RyanHopkins07?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RyanHopkins07</a>⁩ to ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/lchristensen_27?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lchristensen_27</a>⁩ PAT blocked Crowder <a href="https://t.co/XsufScF3Fl">pic.twitter.com/XsufScF3Fl</a></p>&mdash; Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) <a href="https://twitter.com/ocvarsityguy/status/1849654253683392746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1182949"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6787624a66f5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nicholson has been First Team All-Trinity League for two consecutive seasons which is very impressive for an underclassman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His first step in pass protection from the left tackle spot is one of the best in the class and his feet are very quick. He has the speed and footwork to wash out speedy edge rushers in pass protection and the strength to stop power rushers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a run blocker, he does a good job getting to the second level and knows how to overpower ends and backers with his upper body strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicholson recently landed major offers from Arizona State and Oregon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's a blessing to be named 1st Team All-Trinity 2 times in the hardest league in the nation! Congrats to all my <a href="https://twitter.com/JSerra_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JSerra_Football</a> Brothers 💯<a href="https://twitter.com/vscwintoday?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vscwintoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/pat_harlow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pat_harlow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachRickVichot?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachRickVichot</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/vscwintoday?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vscwintoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GregBiggins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregBiggins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PGregorian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PGregorian</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/adamgorney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adamgorney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadSimmons_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChadSimmons_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonHuffman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrandonHuffman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ocvarsityguy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ocvarsityguy</a> <a href="https://t.co/UMSGoJvCOY">pic.twitter.com/UMSGoJvCOY</a></p>&mdash; Niniva (@NinivaNicholson) <a href="https://twitter.com/NinivaNicholson/status/1870287299516477821?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1288067"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6787624a66fb7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hirou was second on Santa Margarita in tackles with 80 and had three interceptions with a forced fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a safety who is often in zone coverage and can cover a ton of the field. Hirou closes to the ball quickly when playing man coverage and is a big hitter in the run game and on underneath routes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Princeton and Colorado State recently have offered Hirou.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Season Highlights<br>- 1st Team All Trinity League<br>- 80 Tackles (42 Solo)<br>- 3 Interceptions <br>- 7 PBU's<br>- 1 Forced Fumble<a href="https://t.co/RXy85PmU2X">https://t.co/RXy85PmU2X</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1288067' first='Logan' last='Hirou'] 3⭐️ (@logan_hirou) <a href="https://twitter.com/logan_hirou/status/1867670929645744192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1269166"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6787624a6700c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barnes had 67 tackles, 10 for a loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble for Crean Lutheran this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He transferred to Crean Lutheran from JSerra and beats guys with his speed off the edge. Barnes blows up pulling guards in the run game and is aggressive when stunting inside. He reads his tackles well and is patient when defending the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oregon State offered Barnes in December.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior full season highlights (12games)<br><br>67 total tackles/42 solo/10tfl /5.5sacks/7 QB hurs./ 1FF<a href="https://twitter.com/GregBiggins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregBiggins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadSimmons_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChadSimmons_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonHuffman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrandonHuffman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/adamgorney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adamgorney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheUCReport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheUCReport</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Zack_Poff_MP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Zack_Poff_MP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ocvarsityguy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ocvarsityguy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SWiltfong_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SWiltfong_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTroop3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTroop3</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/1IymOVlopa">https://t.co/1IymOVlopa</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZiKG3AuDiM">pic.twitter.com/ZiKG3AuDiM</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1269166' first='Ryder' last='Barnes'] (@Ryder1Barnes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryder1Barnes/status/1858761231123050792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->