San Pedro's Nick Fernandez is completely ready to make significant impact

Fifth in a collection of stories profiling major substantial university soccer gamers by position. Currently, Nick Fernandez, San Pedro restricted end.

Nick Fernandez, born and elevated in San Pedro, didn’t participate in soccer till he confirmed up for his freshman yr of significant college in 2019 and was place on the junior varsity group.

At 1st, the coaches experimented with him out at managing back again, but he was 6 feet 2 and taller than some linemen. It was made the decision tight conclusion would be his position.

When he built a just one-handed capture and ran 50-as well as yards for his first touchdown early that season, the thrill, exhilaration and authentic adore for what he was accomplishing would be ingrained in his memory. Oh, he’d participate in basketball and baseball, far too, but football was various.

“I fell in enjoy with the activity,” he mentioned. “When I was tiny, I wished to be a specialist soccer participant, but as you can see I’m not built like a soccer participant any more.”

At 6-4 and 250 kilos, the 17-yr-outdated senior at San Pedro Superior has the style of measurement and athleticism that will remind Metropolis Area observers of what Arlis Boardingham attained very last time for City winner Lake Balboa Birmingham. Boardingham did every thing for the Patriots, and which is how Fernandez will be utilized for the Pirates.

He’s a restricted close who will play a small wildcat quarterback. He’s also a standout defensive lineman who punts and kicks field objectives. Contemplating he played just four games as a sophomore due to the fact of COVID-19 protocols, Fernandez is a person of individuals untapped skills commencing to learn his limitations. He definitely is keen to go where ever his intellect and physique acquire him.

“The more positions, the improved,” he reported. “I really like enjoying soccer. I don’t want to leave the area.”

His mom and dad are both educators — his mom is a counselor at Wilmington Banning and his father is a fifth-quality teacher. Maybe that assists demonstrate how Fernandez is beloved by the grownups he comes throughout.

Consider his counselor, Rina Youthful. She was greeting site visitors getting into campus and located out Fernandez was the focus of this story. She would not allow the interviewer budge right until she built guaranteed her impressions of Fernandez were being read loud and distinct.

“He will have excellent grownup discussions,” she stated. “He’s so welcoming and so wonderful. He cares about other men and women. He’s a single of the most effective kids I’ve satisfied.”

Then you hear Fernandez speak about the this means of “team” and you comprehend what his counselor is conversing about.

“It’s often a crew activity,” he explained. “I like what I do.”

For the duration of the offseason, Fernandez grew to become a single of the most recruited athletes in Metropolis Segment soccer, accumulating additional than 15 scholarship provides. It transpired for the reason that every single time recruiters came to campus, they located out about his techniques, character and grades.

There’s no telling no matter whether restricted finish or defensive line will be the very best position for Fernandez, but he has grow to be a weapon on offense with his catching and blocking.

“I did not notice how a lot palms you need to have for blocking,” he explained. “I’ve always tucked and hit ‘em. Now I’m utilizing my head, my chest, my arms, employing my legs and pushing them and turning them, using my sizing in opposition to them.”

Receptions and touchdowns are what he lives for.

“When I get the ball, it is like all the things blacks out,” he reported. “It’s me and a touchdown or me and the person in entrance of me. It is like a desire. Me and whomever is in entrance of me is heading to get blown up or they are likely to blow me up or I’m going to do a thing outrageous.”

For Fernandez to play for his community university is a thing he cherishes. His mom graduated from San Pedro. His father graduated from San Pedro. His more youthful brother will be going to San Pedro.

“There’s good people, there’s fun people,” he said. “Everybody is familiar with some thing. It is a little huge city. Whenever you go to the retailer, you’re likely to run into any individual you know.”

On Friday evenings this drop, there’s no question Fernandez will be the concentrate of notice in a group that loves its sports groups.

Restricted ends to watch

Title, School, Ht., Wt., Yr., Remark

Robert Dixon, Simi Valley, 6-5, 220, Sr. Large physique and huge goal

Nick Fernandez, San Pedro, 6-4, 250, Sr. A few-activity athlete is increasing prospect

Jose Frutos, JSerra, 6-, 190, Sr. All-Trinity League honoree will make difficult catches

Jamari Johnson, Inglewood, 6-5, 250, Sr. Louisville dedicate is star athlete

Niko Lopez, Santa Margarita, 6-3, 210, Sr. Colorado State commit helps make catch after challenging capture

Ryan McBride, West Torrance, 6-4, 240, Jr. Major concentrate on with great hands

Trent Merriman, Corona del Mar, 6-2, 230, Sr. Fantastic grades with flexibility and agility

Spencer Shannon, Mater Dei, 6-7, 240, Sr. Texas dedicate known for blocking expertise

Ryner Swanson, Laguna Beach front, 6-4, 230, Jr. Will be No. 1 restricted finish from Class of 2024

Colton Yoos, Newbury Park, 6-4, 215, Sr. Has physique, arms to make effects

Tomorrow: Seth Fao, Wilmington Banning defensive lineman .