Six Gauchos sign LOI’s

The Saddleback football program was back in the news on Wednesday as six different players signed letters of intent on early signing day.  More are expected in the coming months.

Saddleback is off to a good start during the early signing period.  (left to right) Christian Rabay, Ryan Nieman, Joe Babros, Jake Hudson, Korey Mariboho and Max Gilliam all made commitments to four-year programs on Wednesday.

Rabay will continue his playing career at Lindenwood University, located in Saint Charles, Missouri.  The Lions play an NCAA D2 schedule in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association.  Rabay finished fourth on the team with 46 total tackles, tying for the team lead with three interceptions while leading the team with three blocked kicks. 

Nieman will transfer to the University of Sioux Falls, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  The Cougars play an NCAA D2 schedule in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.  Nieman was third on the team with 48 total tackles in 2017, finishing second on the team with eight pass break-ups.

Babros will take his talents to North Carolina State University, located in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The Wolfpack play an NCAA D1 schedule in the Atlantic Coast Conference.  Babros finished with 28 tackles in eight games, finishing second on the team with 7.5 tackles-for-loss. 

Hudson will continue his playing career at the University of Toledo, located in Toledo, Ohio.  The Rockets play an NCAA D1 schedule in the Mid-America Conference.  Hudson finished with 39 tackles, leading the team with 12 tackles-for-loss. 

Mariboho signed a letter of intent to San Jose State University, located in San Jose, California.  The Spartans play an NCAA D1 schedule in the Mountain West Conference.  Mariboho was part of an offensive line for Saddleback that helped the team score a program-record 43.9 points-per-game. 

Gilliam will transfer to the University of Nevada Las Vegas, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The Rebels play an NCAA D1 schedule in the Mountain West Conference.  Gilliam was part of a two-pronged quarterback rotation in 2017, completing a program-record 68.2% of his passes.  In addition, he was second on the team with 221 yards rushing.