JuCo: Midseason Standouts

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

As San Diego Juco Football reaches the midpoint of its season, several players have emerged as difference-makers for their respective programs. From explosive receivers to shutdown defenders, these athletes are putting together standout campaigns worth recognizing. Keep an eye on these names as they make waves at the junior college level and could be on the radar of four-year programs nationwide.

Ayden Billups, WR, Grossmont (6-1, 180 lbs, Lincoln High)

Billups has been a volume and production machine, hauling in 29 receptions for 421 yards and two touchdowns. His reception total ranks fifth in the SCFA, and he's averaging a solid 84.2 yards per game and 14.5 yards per catch. His 11-catch, 151-yard outing against Victor Valley demonstrated his ability to dominate targets in critical matchups.

Caleb Blocker, RB, Southwestern (5-7, 203 lbs)

The compact running back is a driving force in the Jaguars' undefeated campaign, rushing for 412 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 82.4 yards per game. His breakout moment came in Southwestern's 40-38 nail-biter against San Diego Mesa, where he exploded for 164 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Blocker combines patience and burst, with multiple runs exceeding 30 yards demonstrating his big-play capability.

Carson Curtis, DL, Southwestern (6-2, 209 lbs)

The unsung hero of Southwestern's perfect start, Curtis has been a disruptive force on the defensive line with 25 tackles, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble through five games. His best work came against San Diego Mesa, where he recorded 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss in a narrow 40-38 victory. Whether pressuring quarterbacks or stuffing the run, Curtis sets a physical tone for the Jaguars' defense.

Furious Hoskins, WR, Palomar (6-1, 185 lbs)

Despite Palomar's 1-4 record, Hoskins has been nothing short of spectacular. The dynamic receiver put up 586 receiving yards and seven touchdowns through five games, averaging117.2 yards per contest and 20.2 yards per catch. His 291-yard, three-touchdown explosion against Riverside stands as one of the season's most dominant individual performances.

Reggie Johnson, QB, San Diego Mesa (6-3, 191 lbs, Madison High)

Johnson brings a dual-threat dimension that keeps defenses honest. Through five games, he's accumulated 958 passing yards and 8 touchdowns while adding 117 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. His versatility was on full display in a 284-yard, two-touchdown passing performance against Mt. San Antonio, while his mobility proved crucial with a two-score rushing effort against Southwestern.

Elijah Realzola, WR, Grossmont (6-3, 180 lbs)

Realzola has been a model of consistency, scoring in all five games this season while accumulating 445 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. His ability to create explosive plays was evident against Antelope Valley, where he hauled in just three catches for 116 yards, including an 80-yard scoring strike that showcased his game-breaking speed.

Brayten Silbor, QB, Southwestern (6-3, 216 lbs)

Silbor has been the maestro behind Southwestern's perfect 5-0 start, throwing for 1,164 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 232.8 yards per contest. His completion percentage has consistently hovered above 70%, including a 27-for-38 performance against Canyons for 287 yards and three scores. He followed that up with a 311-yard, three-touchdown effort in a thriller against San Diego Mesa, cementing his status as one of the conference's most efficient quarterbacks.

Melvin Spicer IV, QB, Grossmont (5-10, 190 lbs)

The Griffins' signal-caller is having a sensational season, leading the SCFA in passing yards with 1,502 through just five games. Spicer has thrown 15 touchdowns against only one interception while averaging a staggering 300.4 yards per game. His efficiency rating ranks 12th conference-wide, showcasing both volume and precision in Grossmont's aerial attack.

Isaiah Strong, DB, Palomar (6-1, 200 lbs)

Strong has been a tackling machine in Palomar's secondary, racking up 47 total tackles—third overall in the SCFA—while leading the conference with 32 solo stops. He's also contributed an interception, showing his range and ball skills in coverage. As one of the league's most active defenders, Strong's consistency has been a bright spot for the Comets.

Clint Thomas Jr., WR, Southwestern (6-1, 167 lbs)

In limited action—just three games—Thomas Jr. has been a revelation for the Jaguars. The sophomore speedster has amassed 332 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns while averaging 110.7 yards per game and over 20 yards per reception. His 194-yard, two-touchdown performance on eight catches against San Diego Mesa announced his arrival as one of the county's premier deep threats.