Last Wednesday, two of Rockdale’s elite football players made their college decisions official as they signed their Letters of Intent on National Signing Day. Running back Cam’ron Valdez will be heading to Lubbock to play for the Texas Tech Red Raiders while wide receiver Kesean Raven will be heading to Sam Houston State in Huntsville. The signing took place in the RHS gym with family, friends, teammates and coaches in attendance supporting the two young men.
VA LDEZ—Va ldez was rated as the No. 6 all-purpose running back in the country by rivals.com, a recruiting website. This past season he cemented himself as one of the best players in RHS history by breaking the RHS all-time records for career touchdowns and career rushing yards. The 5-foot 10-inch, 190-pound senior rushed for 1,056 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. His play earned him the title of Division I District 11 Offensive Player of the Year. Valdez chose the Red Raiders over 25 other scholarship offers including Michigan, Arizona State and Oklahoma State.
“It’s great to see so many people come out and show support for us,” Valdez said. “I knew that there was a lot of love for me in the community, but this shows how much love there really is.”
Valdez discussed what went into his decision to commit to the Red Raiders.
“I have a great relationship with the coaching staff,” Valdez said. “Me and Coach (DeAndre) Smith (TTU running back coach) have been clicking since day one. I feel him and I together can’t be stopped, and I’m ready to make that happen.”
Valdez shared how it feels to commit to a Division I program and to play in the Big 12 conference.
“It just shows that all my hard work paid off. I know I’m blessed to be in the position I’m in. I’m still hungry and I know I have a lot to prove. I’m ready to get started.”
RAVEN—Raven was rated as a threestar prospect by 247sports.com, a recruiting website. He was ranked as the No. 268 player in Texas and the No. 260 wide receiver in the country. The 5-foot 10-inch, 160-pound wide receiver was a huge part of the Tigers’ success this past season. His stats included: 43 catches, 675 receiving yards, 222 rushing yards, 18 total touchdowns, 56 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks and four interceptions. His play earned him a Division I District 11 first team selection as a wide receiver and a defensive back. Raven chose the Bearkats over seven other scholarship offers including Arkansas, Southern Mississippi and the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).
“Signing to Sam Houston State means a lot because my family won’t have to worry about paying for college,” Raven said. “Sam Houston coaches said I’ll be used in many ways like I was here in Rockdale. I’ll be used at running back, inside receiver and outside receiver.”
Raven said he hopes that he left a legacy of hard work and perseverance at RHS.
“I want to be remembered as a dynamic athlete,” Raven said. “When coaches told me to do something I never complained. I did whatever they needed me to do, and I always put the team first.”
RHS Head Football Coach Jacob Campsey expressed his gratitude for all the two players have done for the Tiger football program.
“This signing ceremony is what these guys deserved for all they’ve done in their high school careers,” Campsey said. “I am super proud of both of them and excited to see them play at the next level.”
During their time in Rockdale, Valdez and Raven helped the Tiger program earn 34 wins. Both young men will finish out the school year and report to their respective campuses this summer.
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