Jordan Hamm(Photo Courtesy: @SchoolerColin, @clavalle26)
Mission Viejo turns out some of the best talent in the country each and every year, and the Diablos have been on the radar of both the Arizona Wildcats and Arizona State Sun Devils.
The Wildcats landed Mission Viejo linebacker Colin Schooler in their 2017 class.
Schooler was a two-way star, rushing for 1,161 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also had six receiving touchdowns his senior year. Defensively, he racked up 77 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss and two interceptions.
According to Scout national director of recruiting Brandon Huffman, Schooler shows the tendencies, specifically his nose for the football, that remind him of Wildcat great Scooby Wright.
100% COMMITTED to the University of Arizona #BearDown @CoachYatesAZ @CoachScottBoone @CoachRodAZ @missionfootball @CSing57 pic.twitter.com/jRMXWeKo1i
— Colin Schooler (@SchoolerColin) December 27, 2016
In a two-day span where the Sun Devils earned three commitments from class of 2018 California prep stars, Diablo linebacker Christian LaValle committed to Arizona State in late June. He joined Calabasas defensive end Reggie Hughes and St. John Bosco running back Demetrious Flowers in a very good week for the Sun Devils.
LaValle had a team-leading 108 tackles (Schooler was second on the team) with five tackles for loss his junior year.
ABSOLUTLEY BLESSED TO SAY I AM 100% COMMITTED TO ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY. #AG2G #ForksUp #18ALLIN @CoachGrahamASU @CoachP_ASU pic.twitter.com/dKwjuVbm10
— Christian LaValle (@clavalle26) June 20, 2017
Their Mission Viejo teammate, Olaijah Griffin was an attendee at The Opening and helped preview what type of players the Wildcats and Sun Devils are getting in the Mission Viejo standouts.
“(Schooler) is a little more powerful, but to be honest, they have almost the same build,” Griffin said. “I think they’re both going to make it far and they are both best friends. They do everything together, and I think they are both going to make it far.”
The Proof Is In The Coaching
What is it about the Mission Viejo program that has made them such a hot spot for college recruiters? Griffin, who is being pursued heavily by USC, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington, Oregon and Texas A&M, believes it’s the Diablo coaching staff.
Head coach Bob Johnson has been leading the Diablos since 1999 and holds five CIF championships. The coaching staff also features Rob Johnson, Sam Baker and Mark Royster, who also spent time in the NFL.
Expect both Schooler and LaValle to be prepped mentally and physically for Pac-12 faceoffs over the coming years.
