With high school sports suspended, student athletes are staying active and their hard work is not going unnoticed as players are being recruited by colleges. The most recent commitment came last week, when RHS senior offensive tackle/nose guard Kaden Kruse committed to Wayland Baptist University.
“I loved the campus,” Kruse said. “I have a great relationship with the coaches, and I feel like I would have a good chance to play once I get there.”
He announced his decision to become a Pioneer, April 9. At 6-foot-1-inch-tall, 280 pounds, Kruse caused problems for his opponents all season long.
“I didn’t see the field much my junior year,” Kruse said. “The summer before the season I worked extra hard because I knew I wanted to play as a senior and I guess it all paid off.”
RHS Head Coach Jacob Campsey described Kruse as a physical player and one who will always put the team first.
“Kaden played the game violently which is the right way for a lineman to play. He was always willing to step out of his comfort zone to do what coaches were asking him to do,” Campsey said.
Kruse joined four other RHS seniors who will be playing at the next level. Wide receiver Ross Loth committed to the Texas Wesleyan Rams in November. Outside linebacker Ethen Hughes received offers from Pacific University and Defiance College in Ohio. Wide receiver Levi Baggerly also earned an offer from Defiance College, and Quashawn Crawford picked up an offer in track and field from Fort Scott Community College in Kansas.
Two underclassmen have also received offers from schools.
Colleges are taking notice of wide receiver Kesean Raven. The junior receiver received a scholarship offer from the University of Arkansas adding to his list of scholarship offers that include the University of New Mexico and the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).
“It means a lot to me,” Raven said. “It’s a blessing from the man above. I have worked hard and it’s starting to pay off.”
Campsey said of Raven, “He’s one of the most hard-working and unselfish kids I’ve ever seen. He has crazy athleticism and his mental toughness is on another level. He’s always the first one to cheer on his teammates no matter what the situation is.”
Raven prides himself on being a leader. He credits his coaches and his teammates for instilling a “team first” mentality in him.
“If we’re down in a game, I’ll never get down on myself or the team,” Raven said. “I’ll always hold my head high and try to will my team to a victory.”
Raven is coming off an outstanding year where he had 42 catches for 863 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 20.5 yards per catch and helped the Tigers secure an 8-3 record this past season. With summer camps and one year of eligibility remaining, coaches expect the college offers for Raven to keep coming. Another standout pros
Another standout prospect for Rockdale is running back Cam’ron Valdez. The junior running back is rated as a four-star prospect. Valdez ranks as the number 20 running back in the country and the 209th prospect overall, according to rivals.com, a college football and basketball recruiting website.
“Cam’ron only has one gear and that is full speed,” Coach Campsey said. “He is also an extremely gifted runner from a power and vision standpoint. “
Valdez rushed for 1,537 yards and 26 touchdowns. He earned an additional 177 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. He received offers from Texas Tech University, University of Michigan, Arizona State University and several other Division I schools.
“It means a lot to see all my hard work in the past hasn’t been taken for granted,” Valdez said. “During my sophomore year I wondered if I would ever get a scholarship, so it’s great to finally get the recognition I always strive for.”
Valdez said he prides himself on his work ethic and he knows he has a unique skill set.
“My hard work ethic comes from my fear of failure. I have something to prove to myself, my family, and the coaches,” Valdez said. “I feel like my best attributes are my vision and my acceleration of reaching my top speed. I’m pretty good at breaking tackles also.”
“ Kaden played the game violently which is the right way for a lineman to play. He was always willing to step out of his comfort zone to do what coaches were asking him to do.”
–Coach Jacob Campsey
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