Barlage Inks DI Offer to University of Nevada - Reno

The fact that another true freshman quarterback for the Riverside City College football team signed a Division I scholarship is nothing new to the Tigers. In fact, this has become the norm for the Tigers over the past 10 years.  

The latest Division I transfer comes in the form of freshman phenom Jacob Barlage who just signed his National Letter of Intent (NLI) to compete for the University of Nevada – Reno Wolf Pack next season. The local talent, who dreamed of playing for Riverside as a kid, put together an outstanding year that lead him to a California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Undefeated State Championship and a State Championship Most Valuable Player honor. 

"Coach I want to thank you for everything you've done since I've met you," said Barlage to Head Coach Tom Craft after signing.

He finished the season with 2,786 passing yards, 30 touchdown passes and a 181 efficiency rating which paced the state while only playing half of the first nine games.

Furthermore, he averaged 214.3 passing yards-per-game, 9.6 yards-per-attempt and threw for 100 or more yards in 10 games while throwing at least one touchdown in 12 games.  

Barlage was selected first team all-state and lead an offense that was tops in the nation and the state in total points (645), passing yards (4,281) and total offense (6,761).

The Tigers continue to pump out talent from the quarterback position as Barlage joins a handful of former Tigers under center to ink NLIs to Division I squads. He joins the ranks of Skylar Howard (West Virginia), Vic Viramontes (University of Minnesota), Stone Smartt (Old Dominion), Travis Jonsen (Montana State University) and Matt Struck (Idaho State) to name a few.  

Viramontes '17 and Smartt '18 were both selected as First Team All American and was named the CCCAA Offensive Players of the Year.

"I am happy for Jake and all of the players that are getting an opportunity to move on the four year level. Barlage has been around the program since he was a kid and envisioned himself playing quarterback at RCC and leading us to a state championship. He had a dream of playing one year and also having an opportunity to transfer on scholarship to a Division I school and his dream came true!

Head Coach Tom Craft, who was named the 2019 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coach of the Year, and the football program have worked to successfully transfer 31 student-athletes from the 2019 state championship team. This year's transfer number increases the program's overall transfer number to 232. Of the 232 transfers, 158 have signed to Division I schools. 

The Tigers finished the season on an undefeated note of 13-0 claiming the California state title and a National title. Over the past 10 season, the Tigers have a state and national best 102-15 record.