When asked about his opinion of Stanford receiver and Hart High grad Trent Irwin at Pac-12 Media Days in late July, Cardinal running back Bryce Love said he was “probably one of the funniest people you’ll ever meet.”
But on the field, Irwin means business. In 13 games, he had 37 catches for 442 yards and one touchdown in 2016.
Entering his junior year, we’ll likely be seeing more of the same from him.
“Trent is really probably one of the hardest workers on the team,” Love said. “He’s always out there trying to perfect his craft and just getting better day in and day out.”
Here’s a look at the rest of the SCV products continuing their football careers with a Division 1 Football Bowl Subdivision school:
Rhett Almond (BYU, Hart)
Almond made his first collegiate field goal last season against Arizona, and he hasn’t slowed down since.
He made 80.95 percent of field goals (17 of 21), including six straight field goals in three games. That ranks him No. 4 in program history for single-season field goal percentage.
He made 39 of 40 PATs.
Tyler Bjorklund (Colorado State, Valencia, COC)
After being offered by over 20 schools, Bjorklund chose the Rams and will begin his first season with the team this year as a junior.
Marquise Brown (University of Oklahoma, COC)
Brown is entering his first season with the Sooners after transferring from College of the Canyons.
Israel Cabrera (San Diego State, Canyon)
According to SDSU’s athletics website, Cabrera is backing up Trenton Thompson at safety. He’s coming off a freshman season where he played on special teams in 11 games.
Liam Cabrera (San Diego State, Canyon)
Cabrera, the brother of Israel, ranks fifth on the depth chart at wide receiver. The SDSU athletics website lists him as an “explosive, athletic receiver with a good first step.”
Edigio DellaRipa (Vanderbilt, West Ranch, COC)
Since transferring from COC his sophomore year, DellaRipa played in one game as an offensive lineman for the Commodores in a 35-17 win over Tennessee State.
Linwood Foy (Louisville, COC)
Foy made his debut on the O-line as a Cardinal last September when Louisville beat Charlotte 70-14 at home.
Leon Jacobs (Wisconsin, GV)
Entering his senior year as a linebacker for the Badgers, Jacobs now has four starts in 45 games. Last season, he had 37 tackles, one sack and one interception.
In his college career, he has 82 tackles (six for a loss) and three sacks.
Davis Koppenhaver (Duke, Hart)
The redshirt junior is slated as the second string tight end for Duke this season. In 12 games last year, he appeared in every game and caught 17 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was a game-winner against UNC. Another successful outing was against Georgia Tech, in which he caught three passes for 51 yards.
Cole Murphy (Syracuse, Valencia)
Murphy was the starting placekicker last season, and is presumed to be so again in his senior year. He was the No. 10 kicker in the ACC when it came to points per game with an average of 5.5.
The kicker ranked second on the team in terms of scoring with 66 points and reached the No. 5 spot for most PATs in a single season with 36.
MORE: Valencia grad Jay Jay Wilson aims to set example with words, effort
Alex Rassool (UCLA, West Ranch)
Rassool has yet to see game action after two years on the scout team as a tight end for the Bruins.
Sione Taufahema (University of Arizona, COC)
Taufahema begins his first year with the Wildcats as a junior.
Brady White (Arizona State, Hart)
White suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury (a severe midfoot sprain that damages cartilage) last season against UCLA on Oct. 8.
Although White is still a ways from being fully recovered, he took reps with the first-team offense earlier this week, according to Scout.com.
He threw his first touchdown against USC last season and had his first collegiate start in the game against the Bruins. ASU coach Todd Graham said at Pac-12 Media Days in late July that White would “be competing” when he is healthy.
“I see him every day and try to encourage him,” Graham said.
“I say, ‘Hey, man, ain’t a lot of undefeated quarterbacks.’ He’s 1-0. So we’re anxious to get him back sooner than later. But want to be smart about his recovery, because it’s very, very important that he’s full speed before he gets going.”
Jay Jay Wilson (Arizona State, Valencia)
Wilson will be a major contributor on special teams this year and will also take on an H-back role (similar to tight end) on offense. He could also have stints on defense.
He scored three touchdowns last year in nine games.
“Jay Jay is one of the most talented guys we have,” Graham said at Pac-12 Media Days. “He’s a guy that I think will play a big role in what we’re doing. Been really, really proud of his development.
