SAN CLEMENTE – Brigham Young University has always been a part of Isaac Rex’s life.
His father, Byron, played tight end for the Cougars in the 1990s and now Isaac is ready to follow in his footsteps.
“It is a great academic institution and the football is second to none,” Rex said Wednesday from San Clemente’s National Signing Day ceremony. “I just wanted to carry on the legacy of my dad. I really wanted to be a Cougar since I was little.
“I’ve seen highlights of him,” he added, “and they always bring it up when they mention my name. That’s cool, but I always want to create my own legacy at BYU.”
Rex, who is listed at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, will go on a two-year mission after graduation, which will delay his freshman year at BYU until 2019.
“I’m putting in my papers this month and I’ll find out in March,” Rex said of his mission location. “They can send you anywhere except a Communist country, so I can go to any continent, any country … It is scary but real exciting at the same time.”
SEARS PART OF THE SCENE
San Clemente officials left a seat, which included a name placard, at the ceremony for star quarterback Jack Sears.
Sears wasn’t in attendance because he is already enrolled at USC.
Sears followed current USC quarterback Sam Darnold at San Clemente, and he could do the same at USC.
“From the minute that Sam Darnold graduated from here, he took the keys to the car and kept driving,” San Clemente coach Jaime Ortiz said of Sears. “He led us to two CIF finals appearances, and this year he broke down the door and won a CIF and State championship.
“It is pretty amazing when you think about it. We get home from our state championship game December 21 and on January 3, he’s already moving in at USC. I know he’s excited to be there, I talked to him last night. He was bummed he couldn’t be here today. He’s definitely left a legacy here at San Clemente and it is up to our guys to continue that legacy and continue building.”
Sears was a second-team all-league wide receiver as a sophomore before taking over at quarterback as a junior.
“I thought he did a great job developing his ability to make the reads, and as a defensive coordinator, it can be third-and-12 and he can beat you throwing a 12-yard out or he can tuck it and run,” Ortiz said.”
STAYING CONFIDENT
Fresh off of a season where it won CIF-SS and CIF State championships, it would have been safe to assume that the Signing Day ceremony at San Clemente would have been dominated by football players.
However, of the 20 athletes honored during the outdoor event, just three of them were football players – Rex, Sears and Zach Cochrun. Cochrun is going to UCLA as a preferred walk-on.
“Unfortunately, not everybody can be on this main stage,” Ortiz said. “But I think there are still some opportunities that will present itself after signing day. Just because today took place doesn’t mean we’re done. There are still some seniors that we want to get out and get them to the next level.
“This isn’t the end-all. … We use Brenden Schooler (of Mission Viejo) as an example. He signed after signing day.”
Among the seniors that Ortiz hopes will find the right fit at the college level is Brandon Reaves, who recorded 2,194 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns this past season.
“There are a couple of schools that we are talking to,” Ortiz said. “After signing day, we’ll see where the pieces fall in … That’s one of my big things starting tomorrow, making some phone calls and trying to find a home for him. I think he’s one of most dynamic players in Orange County and Southern California.”
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@scng.com
