Jordan HammChandler quarterback Mason Moran and defensive end Hamilcar Rashed haven’t known each other long, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t close.
Rashed transferred to Chandler from Cesar Chavez High School before the 2015 season and became a weapon on an aggressive Wolves front seven. He’s a canon, if we are being specific, using his burst and bulk to pummel opponents in the backfield.
The quarterback, the leader of the Wolves, wanted to make sure the newest member of the team felt at home, and Moran and Rashed clicked instantly. What started as a friendship in the classroom bled onto the football field.
@Mason_Moran3 much love Brother Appreciate it!!???? pic.twitter.com/1zEaqYiFrJ
— Hamilcar Rashed Jr (@HamilcarJr) January 3, 2016
When it came to recruitment, Oregon State seemed like perfect fit for the pair. The Beavers were the first to offer Moran as a quarterback, who only had varsity experience at that position as a backup leading into the 2015 season. Moran was an all-state safety as a junior and had looks from Louisville, Colorado among others, but predominantly as an athlete.
Yes, Moran’s reps at quarterback may have been limited up until his senior year, but he believes his time try to stop quarterbacks helped him when he eventually went under center full-time.
“Chandler gave me the opportunity to play the safety position and helped me with the quarterback position just by being able to read…because going from playing safety where you basically take a shot almost every single play to quarterback where you’re not trying to take shots,” Moran said. “But you know that you can take the shots from playing on the opposite side of the ball.”
As for Rashed, the edge rush extraodanaire was coming off a 20-sack season at Cesar Chavez and added 13 more his senior year with Chandler but was under the radar as a recruit. His older brother, Keondre Dew, committed to the Oregon State basketball team in October. When an offer came from the Beavers, the decision was easy.
“We always dreamt of playing sports or going to the same school as my brother, making it to the NCAA, being on the same team, going to the same college,” Rashed said. “It’s been a long dream that we always had, and now it’s coming true.”
With Dew and Moran Corvallis-bound, Rashed had his brothers along for the ride, and his quarterback couldn’t be more excited.
“When he got the offer and committed within a couple of minutes, I went ‘This is totally cool’,” Moran said.
“I’m gong to go with a guy who I haven’t known a long time, but it feels like a long time. I know him and I are going to carry on for lifelong best friends.”
So the letters of intent have been signed, the workouts continue, and the moves up north are coming. There is a lot to think about for these two recruits, but there are a few things on Rashed’s mind.
“Grades,” Rashed said. “Grades and getting bigger: that’s what I’m focused on.”
The focus, the talent, the resumes.
The Oregon State-faithful have a lot to be excited about for these two commits.
