2020 San Diego Football Players of the Year

Needless to say, 2020 was an unusual year. We didn't get to see any live games for obvious reasons, but football was played and many San Diego County natives took advantage of the opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage. Here are four local players who stood out and made a difference on and off the field.

2020 NLI Signees from San Diego

We congratulate every student-athlete from San Diego County who signed their National Letter of Intent. Here are the football players who will be making their college football dreams a reality:

Trevor Appelman (Mater Dei Catholic), QB

New Mexico State

Darren Barkins (Mater Dei Catholic), DB

Oregon

Jaiden Brown (Helix), DB

SAN DIEGO STATE

Tyler Buchner (Helix), QB

Notre Dame

Alessandro Demoreno (La Jolla), DB

Davidson

Zamajay Duncan (Lincoln), DB

Idaho

Daelyn Dunn (Southwestern College/Lincoln), DL

Jackson State

Luke Durkin (Scripps Ranch), QB

Davidson

Nico Estrada (Mater Dei Catholic), RB

Idaho

Keenan Guthrie (Cathedral Catholic), LB

Northern Colorado

Kai Jessie (Patrick Henry), WR

New Mexico

Isiah King (Montgomery), WR

Idaho

Matthew Lauter (Torrey Pines), TE

Boise State

Elisha Lloyd (Mission Hills), DB

Utah

Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli (Catherdral Catholic/Mater Dei-Santa Ana), OL

SAN DIEGO STATE

Joshua Meredith (Mater Dei Catholic), WR

Washington State

Jose Olave (Mission Hills), DB

Weber State

Dazure Paggett (Lincoln), WR

Nevada

Aiden Sayin (Carlsbad), QB

Pennsylvania

Luke Simsiman (Torrey Pines), OL

John Hopkins

Herman Smith (Lincoln), WR

Jackson State

Max Smith (La Jolla), LB

Navy

Diego Solis (La Jolla), WR

University of Chicago

Mandela Tobin (Westview), DL

Duke

Robert Tucker III (Grossmont), RB

Cornell

Ja’Shon Williams (Lincoln), WR

Idaho

Most San Diego Signings in 2020

Position: Wide Receiver (7), Defensive Back (6)

High School: Lincoln (5)

College: Idaho (4)

Top NFL Performers from San Diego (12/14/20)

San Francisco 49ers TE Ross Dwelley (#85) during the 2015 USD Toreros Spring Game.

Written by David Willauer

TE Ross Dwelley (USD/San Francisco 49ers)

2 RECs for 20 Yards

23-15 loss to Washington Football Team

LB Corey Littleton (MOUNT MIGUEL/Las Vegas Raiders)

1 Tackle

44-27 loss to Indianapolis Colts

K Jason Myers (MATER DEI CATHOLIC/Seattle Seahawks)

2 Field Goals (41, 29 yards), 4 PATs

18 straight FGs without a miss in 2020

40-3 win over the New York Jets

WR Tim Patrick (UNIVERSITY CITY/Denver Broncos)

3 RECS for 36 Yards & 1 TD

32-27 win over Carolina Panthers

QB Alex Smith (HELIX/Washington Football Team)

8 of 19 Completions for 57 Yards & 1 INT

23-15 win over San Francisco 49ers

LB Fred Warner (MISSION HILLS/San Francisco 49ers)

5 Tackles

23-15 loss to Washington Football Team

Top College Performers from San Diego (12/12/20)

Written by David Willauer

Stanford 27, Oregon State 24 

Ryan Sanborn (Francis Parker) 4 punts for 129 yards for Oregon State.

USC 43, UCLA 38 

Kyle Phillips (San Marcos) had 8 catches for 63 yards for UCLA. 

Utah 38, Colorado 21 

Otay Ranch alum Devin Lloyd had 9 tackles for Utah. 

Moroni Anai (Cathedral Catholic) added a tackle. 

Brigham Young 28, San Diego State 14 

Bonita Vista alum Greg Bell had 14 carries for 68 yards and 2 receptions for 42 yards. 

Tariq Thompson (St. Augustine) put up 4 tackles. 

Point Loma alum Malik Moore recorded 1 tackle for BYU.

Boise State 17, Wyoming 9 

JL Skinner (Point Loma) put up 7 tackles for the Broncos. 

Ezekiel Noa (Helix) chipped in with 6 tackles.

Hawaii 35, UNLV 21 

Mater Dei Catholic alum Quinton Frazier recorded 2 tackles for Hawaii.

Air Force 35, Utah State 7

In a losing effort, Helix alum Eleyon Noa rushed for 30 yards on 10 carries.

Justus Tei (Mission Hills) put up 3 tackles.

North Carolina 62, Miami 26

Lincoln alum Don Chapman had 1 tackle for UNC. 

Army 15, Navy 0 

Oceanside alum Amadeo West led with 9 tackles for the Cadets. 

New Mexico 49, Fresno State 39

Mira Mesa alum Devin Sanders recorded 3 tackles for the Lobos.

Stanford 27, Oregon State 24 

Francis Parker alum Ryan Sanborn punted 4 times for 129 yards for the Cardinal.

2020/21 San Diego Preseason All-Prep Teams

A year ago today, we released our first-ever American & National All-Prep Teams, two 53-man rosters comprised of the some of top performers from the 2019 season of San Diego Prep Football. With the 2020 season postponed to March 2021, we decided to make this a preseason list with high hopes that these student-athletes get the season they've been patiently waiting for.

Disclaimer: This is not an official All-CIF list, nor does it determine a player's talent level. Please don't take it personally.

Updated March 8, 2021

The American Squad

Quarterbacks

Richard Colmenero III / St. Augustine / Senior

Gabriel Krug / Christian / Senior

Jacob Laverdiere / Mount Miguel / Senior

Running Backs

Byron Cardwell / Morse / Senior

Mo Jackson / Madison / Senior

Wesley Neely III / Lincoln / Senior

Kavika Tua / Oceanside / Senior

Robert Tucker / Grossmont / Senior

Christian Washington / Helix / Junior

Receivers

Abdi Ali Jr. / Crawford / Senior

Kamron Beachem / Oceanside / Senior

Kai Jessie / Patrick Henry / Senior

Isiah King / Montgomery / Senior

Devante Koyl-Fleming / Serra / Senior

Joshua Meredith / Mater Dei Catholic / Senior

Tight End

Brenten Adams / Imperial / Senior

Flex

Jaycob Hicks / Morse / Senior

Ja'shon Williams / Lincoln / Senior

Offensive Linemen

Anthony Antunez / Bonita Vista / Senior

Troy Faulkner / Mission Hills / Senior

Vincent Lovato / El Camino / Senior

Shawn Martinez / Helix / Senior

Hawkin Miller / El Camino / Junior

TangiTangi Pongia / St. Augustine / Senior

Luke Simsiman / Torrey Pines / Senior

Defensive Linemen

Malachi Cooper / Serra / Senior

Baraquiel Fimbres / Vincent Memorial / Senior

Gracen Halton / St. Augustine / Junior

Nathan Meyers / Serra / Senior

Justin Sabbatini / Cathedral Catholic / Senior

Josh Simmons / Helix / Senior

Mandela Tobin / Westview / Senior

Isaiah World / Lincoln / Senior

Linebackers

Jason Boyle / Lincoln / Senior

Daniel Dunkle / Eastlake / Senior

Tre Edwards / Mater Dei Catholic / Sophomore

Marco Notarainni / Torrey Pines / Senior

Max Smith / La Jolla / Senior

McKyle So’oto / Oceanside / Senior

LJ Turner / Vista / Senior

Saiyvionn Williams / Lincoln / Senior

Cornerbacks

Darren Barkins / Mater Dei Catholic / Senior

Elisha Lloyd / Mission Hills / Senior

Jalil Tucker / Lincoln / Junior

Christopher Williams / Francis Parker / Sophomore

Safeties

Javhi Blomquist / Madison / Senior

Dylan Ewing-Villalobos / Valley Center / Senior

Ethan Nicholas / Scripps Ranch / Senior

Shawn Ramsey / Oceanside / Senior

Tyson Shields / Morse / Senior

Kicker

Hunter Provience / Christian / Sophomore

Punter

Tristan Rinko / Coronado / Junior

Return Specialist

DJ Overstreet / St. Augustine / Sophomore

The National Squad

Quarterbacks

Trevor Appelman / Mater Dei Catholic / Senior

Clash Orsborn / Mission Bay / Junior

Robert Ramos / Escondido / Senior

Running Backs

Jose Devoux / Holtville / Senior

Dustan Ellison / Serra / Senior

Nico Estrada / Mater Dei Catholic / Senior

Nicholas Gardinera / Scripps Ranch / Senior

Christian Hall / Cathedral Catholic / Senior

Erik Hernandez / Castle Park / Senior

Receivers

Skai Donnell / Mission Hills / Senior

Tajon Evans / Mira Mesa / Junior

Clay Petry / Helix / Senior

Daniel Rosenberg / La Jolla Country Day / Senior

Herman Smith / Lincoln / Senior

Diego Solis / La Jolla / Senior

Tight End

Matthew Lauter / Torrey Pines / Senior

Flex

Noah Sega / El Camino / Senior

Jaheem Williams / Montgomery / Senior

Offensive Linemen

James Fordham / Westview / Senior

Ruben Garcia / Scripps Ranch / Junior

Seth Garland / Mira Mesa / Junior

Allen Kalasho / Valhalla / Senior

Jesse Schroeder / Monte Vista / Senior

Noah Viloria / Helix / Senior

Gianni Walsh / Madison / Senior

Defensive Linemen

Dirk Germon / La Jolla / Senior

Joseph Holt / Granite Hills / Senior

Jeriah Jackson / San Diego / Senior

Jaxson Moi / Cathedral Catholic / Junior

Michael Richter / Santana / Junior

Eric Russell / Oceanside / Senior

Andrew Sola / Morse / Senior

Darhon Yarbrough / Morse / Senior

Linebackers

Bubba Bogart / La Jolla Country Day / Junior

Jake Bolin / St. Augustine / Junior

Colton Guerrero / Steele Canyon / Senior

Jaiden Letua / Mission Hills / Junior

Jason Mageo / Oceanside / Junior

Jerry Riggins / Helix / Senior

Justin Stearns / St. Augustine / Junior

Abel Villasenor / Lincoln / Senior

Cornerbacks

Jaiden Brown / Helix / Senior

Dasean Burdette / Eastlake / Junior

Grady Chancellor / Vista / Senior

Wyatt Gardner / Torrey Pines / Junior

Safeties

Trey Bradford / San Marcos / Senior

Jacob Gathright / El Camino / Senior

Mark Genevich / Serra / Senior

Kelton Howard / El Camino / Senior

Vance Jefferson / Poway / Senior

Kicker

Cito Miller / Francis Parker / Senior

Punter

Andre Velazquez / Maranatha Christian / Senior

Return Specialist

Joaquin Thomas Jr. / Helix / Sophomore

More Players to Watch in 2021

Offense

WR Trey Blackford / Tri-City Christian / Senior

QB Sam Cooper / Lincoln / Sophomore

TE Cayden Dawson / Lincoln / Sophomore

QB Ethan Gutierrez / Brawley / Sophomore

OL Timmothy Hutson / El Capitan / Senior

RB Brevin Lingao / Serra / Senior

WR Makai Smith / La Jolla / Junior

TE Bryzai White / Morse / Senior

OL Asa Valdivia / Coronado / Junior

Defense

DL Maximus Abasolo / Lincoln / Junior

DE Joseph Holt / Granite Hills / Senior

DB Benjamin Larsen / Montgomery / Senior

DL Justin Locke / Bonita Vista / Senior

DL Sebastian McQuigg / Patrick Henry / Senior

DL Mohamed Mohamed / Crawford / Junior

DB Chris Snyder Jr. / Mater Dei Catholic / Sophomore

DL Christian Venegas / Montgomery / Junior

LB Treyton White / Eastlake / Junior

DL Blaze Zito / Helix / Senior