Ten members of the 2021 SoCal Bowl champion and 9-2 Pasadena City College football team have earned scholarships to play at the next level.
Linebacker Lucio Rodriguez, an All-American and State Region IV Defensive Player of the Year, has moved on from PCC to attend and play at NCAA Division II Davenport University (Michigan). Joining Rodriguez as a Davenport Panther is running back Miles Anderson, the Lancers second-leading rusher with 397 yards and five touchdowns this past season.
Rodriguez leaves PCC after leading the squad in tackles (80), sacks (seven) and tackles for loss (17.5) and earning SCFA American Mountain League Defensive Player of the Year honors. The South Gate High product stuck with the PCC program during the COVID-19 pandemic after playing on the 2019 Lancers as a freshman. Anderson (Crespi High) transferred to PCC for his sophomore year from College of the Canyons.
Kaydon Spens, a 2-time, All-State cornerback for the Lancers, is at D2 Pittsburg State (Kansas). Spens (Burbank High) totaled 91 tackles, six interceptions, 10 pass break-ups in his career at PCC. Last season, he led the state in blocked kicks/punts with an impressive five on special teams. He was considered one of the California Community College's best shutdown corners as opposing teams often would avoid passing to his side of the field.
All-State offensive lineman Edward Aranda Calixto moved on to Dickinson State (North Dakota). A right tackle, Calixto (Rosemead High) was a big factor on a '21 Lancers O-Line that allowed the team to average 31.5 points and 23 first downs per game. He will have three years to compete with the Blue Hawks.
All-SCFA Second Team wide receiver/defensive back Jeremiah Hartfield (32 catches, 462 yards, five TDs last season) made the transition from defense in 2019 (24 tackles, four interceptions, six pass break-ups, two sacks) to offense and now will take his talents to D2 Western New Mexico. A fixture on PCC punt and kick returns, the Schurr High alumnus also rushed for 103 yards and a TD as an all-purpose athlete. Two-year letterman defensive tackle Gabriel Hernandez (Alhambra High) also earned a scholarship to be a WNM Mustang.
Justen Campbell, an All-SCFA Second Team kick returner and a 2-year letterman receiver, has made his way to attend NAIA Southwestern Assemblies of God (SAGU) in Texas. Campbell was PCC's all-purpose yards leader with 783 yards and an electrifying returner with a 24.6 yards average and an 89-yard TD while also making big plays at receiver (22 receptions, four touchdowns). The Rosemead High product scored a TD on a 28-yard reverse run in the Lancers' SoCal Bowl victory.
Offensive linemen and guards Daniel Ramirez (Bell High) and John Lopez (Franklin HS) both picked up scholarships to NAIA Presentation College (South Dakota) while long snapper Jacob Schrier (Monrovia High) is attending PCC Director of Football Operations/Head Coach Robert Tucker's alma mater at D3 Williamette University (Oregon).
Additionally, Tucker was pleased to announce that All-State quarterback Kade Wentz, PCC's President's Award winner, was accepted at UCLA (academics only) and All-SCFA Second Team wide receiver Wheeler Smith continues his college education at UC Santa Barbara. Both students previously attended San Marino High.
Wentz, Smith, Rodriguez, Spens and Campbell were all SCFA Scholar-Athletes.
The 2022 Lancers, defending AML champions, hosts a scrimmage against Saddleback College on Thursday, Aug. 25. The exhibition contest begins at 5 p.m. at Robinson Stadium.
PCC's 10-game, regular season schedule begins with a home game on Sept. 3 as the Lancers face Cerritos College.
2022 Lancers Football Schedule