Cali K lands first two offers

Corona (Calif.) kicker Daniel Padilla has parlayed a very strong senior season in to a pair of scholarship offers. Padilla has trips lined up and should have a decision following his visits.

We've said it before but it bears repeating, you have to be pretty dang good to earn a scholarship as a kicker. Many schools feel they can get a walk on to do the job and without scholarship numbers at a premium, it's tough for kickers to earn a full ride.

Padilla, 6-1, 200 pounds had a big senior year going 10-11 on field goals including two beyond 50 yards and a long of 52. He was 40-40 on extra points and over 90% of his kickoffs were in the end zone for touchbacks.

"Oregon and Fresno State have both offered scholarships," Panther coach John Brandom said. "I sent his film out to a few other schools and everyone loves him but so many of these coaches just don't want to scholarship a kicker. At least that's what they're telling me but he has those two and that's pretty exciting for Daniel.

"He's going to visit Fresno State (Dec. 15) and Oregon (Jan 12). Those are two good programs and Daniel is excited about taking both of those visits. After he checks out both schools, he should be ready to make his decision by sometime in mid-January."