San Diego High School Athletes Excel in College Football & Beyond

The 2025 college football season presented challenges for several San Diego County athletes, with injuries impacting the campaigns of quarterbacks DJ Ralph, Jax Leatherwood, and Gunnar Hensley. Despite promising starts and individual achievements, each player faced setbacks that altered their respective seasons.

Navigating Setbacks on the Field

DJ Ralph, a veteran quarterback who began his collegiate career at New Mexico State before transferring to San Diego State and Saddleback College, found a consistent role at Chadron State in Nebraska for his senior year. He demonstrated early success, throwing for 228 yards in his debut against Northern Colorado and recording three total touchdowns against Black Hills State. However, a shoulder injury sidelined him for four games mid-season. Ralph returned for the NCAA Division II playoffs, completing 223 passing yards in a season-ending loss to Pittsburg State. He finished the season with 983 passing yards, six touchdowns, 82 completed passes out of 150 attempts, and added 95 rushing yards and two scores. Chadron State concluded the season with an 8-4 overall record and an 8-1 mark in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Jax Leatherwood, a 6-foot-8 standout from Scripps Ranch High School, showcased his talent at Southeast Missouri, completing 174 of 277 passes for 1,969 yards and 12 touchdowns. His season was interrupted by a torn MCL, causing him to miss four games. Following the season, Leatherwood announced his transfer to Tennessee Tech, another Division I school, where he even faced his future team in 2025, throwing for 278 yards and a touchdown. He previously led Scripps Ranch to the State Division 2-A championship in 2021 and retains two years of college eligibility.

Gunnar Hensley, a graduate of Mission Hills High School, enjoyed a strong start at Augustana University in South Dakota, winning his first five games as a starter. During this stretch, he completed 123 of 171 passes for 13 touchdowns without throwing an interception. Unfortunately, an ankle injury ended his season prematurely, as Augustana finished with a 9-2 record.

Did You Know? Hunter Provience, a tight end from Christian High School, contributed to Montana State’s Division I-FCS championship run with 11 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown.

Additional San Diego Athletes Shine

Beyond the quarterbacks, several other San Diego County athletes made their mark in college football. Roderick Robinson, formerly of Lincoln High School, is transferring from Georgia to UAB after playing in nine games this season and catching a touchdown pass against Alabama. His career at Georgia was also impacted by injuries, including turf toe, a broken ankle, and a hamstring strain.

In the FCS ranks, Jordan Reed (Central Union) and Hunter Provience (Christian) contributed to Montana State’s championship victory. Several other players from San Diego schools also saw action, including Sean Webb (Madison) at New Hampshire, Harry Balke (Cathedral Catholic) at Drake, and Chris White (Francis Parker) at Yale.

At the Division II level, Easton Peterson (Granite Hills) and Joshua Dixon (University City) stood out for Western Colorado, while Anthony McMillian (Mater Dei Catholic) and Jaden Bowen (Oceanside) played key roles for Chadron State.

Expert Insight: The prevalence of injuries among these athletes highlights the inherent physical demands and risks associated with collegiate football, even at different division levels. Maintaining player health and well-being is a constant challenge for coaches and athletic programs.

Smilla Klas (Torrey Pines) excelled in field hockey, starting every game for a Harvard team that reached the NCAA Tournament semifinals. In men’s soccer, Lucas Beltran (San Dieguito Academy), Patrick Ward (La Jolla Country Day), and Nico Quanbeck (San Dieguito Academy) were key contributors for Davidson.

Frequently Asked Questions

What impact did injuries have on DJ Ralph’s season?

A shoulder injury caused DJ Ralph to miss four games during the middle of the season, but he returned in time for the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Where is Jax Leatherwood transferring to?

Jax Leatherwood is transferring from Southeast Missouri to Tennessee Tech.

How did Gunnar Hensley perform before his injury?

Gunnar Hensley won his first five games as a starter at Augustana University, completing 123 of 171 passes with 13 touchdowns and no interceptions before suffering an ankle injury.

Considering the challenges faced by these athletes, what role does perseverance play in collegiate sports?

San Diego High School Athletes Excel in College Football & Beyond – 2025 Updates