Football Alumni Active at the Next Level

This past Monday was the year anniversary of the Riverside City College football team hauling in its first California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship and second National Championship in program history.

While the anniversary of hoisting the championship trophy ringed throughout our memories, we were still absent from football, or any athletic competition, due to the continuing threat of COVID-19. Despite RCC's time away from the field, many football alumni have been granted the opportunity to compete. They have done nothing but impress.

In the professional ranks, J.C. Jackson '15, former cornerback and current starting cornerback for the New England Patriots, has solidified himself as one of the most threatening defensive weapons. In his third season in the NFL, he currently sits second in the NFL with seven total interceptions. Additionally, he set a Patriot record by recording an interception in five-consecutive games. He has recorded picks against reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, and other first-round talents including Josh Allen, Sam Darnold and Drew Lock.

JonathanGaribay '18 has cemented himself as the go-to kicker for the Texas Tech Red Raiders after an incredible inaugural performance in late November.

Nicknamed in a recent poll as "All Day Garibay", the former RCC standout booted home 4-of-4 field goals including a 25-yard game winner in a victory over Baylor as time expired. His efforts earned him Big-12 Special Teams Player of the Week.

The action continues with a pair of defensive standouts in a Pac-12 showdown. NickFigueroa '18 and Mitchell Agude '18, teammates on the 2018 Southern Division Conference Championship squad faced off on opposite teams this past week.

Figueroa, the former SCFA Southern Division Defensive Player of the Year, signed with USC following a breakout year and has doing nothing but perform since joining the Trojans. He has recorded 17 tackles in five games with seven going for loss of yardage. Furthermore, he has recorded 3.5 sacks with three coming in a victory over Washington.

Agude, a former First-Team All-Conference member for the Tigers, has recorded 18 tackles on the season with 8.5 of them for loss. Additionally, he has forced three fumbles and notched a set of sacks.

In the Pac-12 battle, Agude recorded five tackles which included a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry, while Figueroa notched three stops with a tackle for loss.

Melquise Stovall '18 has been shining for the University of Hawaii. Recently, the former Tiger reeled in seven catches for 72 yards in a conference victory over UNLV this past week. His 72 yards through the air acted as a season high.

On the season, he has 29 receptions for 231 yards Furthermore, he has carried the ball five times for 47 yards.