On Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, the Moorpark Raiders football team looked to bring a new class of athletes into the fold during their annual Recruit Day.
Raider football coaches and returning players cleared their schedules to warmly welcome what will hopefully be a talented class of 2026 recruits. Aspiring college athletes and their families from all over the Ventura County area made the trip to Moorpark College to learn more about the program.
Recruit Day 2024 kicked off with a catered lunch for all attendees. While returning players and coaches mingled with groups of recruits, those who finished eating early got the opportunity to head into the locker room and take pictures in their future jerseys.
Raiders mainstay and head football coach Mike Stuart is gearing up to commence a monumental fifteenth season with Moorpark College. Stuart expressed his excitement about having newcomers on campus for this year’s recruit showcase.
“I think it’s an eye-opener for a lot of people here. A lot of people that we have coming today are all from Ventura County or the valley, and some have never stepped foot on campus,” Stuart said. “When they see the weight room, they see the facilities and our locker room, I think they’ll be pretty amazed.”
Stuart also spoke about the importance of the culture within the team and the locker room.
“We do a whole introduction about our culture and what it is that we believe in, and what our values are. That’s why I invite the parents to come, to see what their kids are getting into and then who’s leading the program.”
The athletes split from their families after lunch and a photo-op for the hopeful soon-to-be Raiders. While the coaching staff fielded questions from excited family members, returning players got the chance to impart some first-hand experience and wisdom to their proteges.
Grey-shirt freshman linebacker Tyler Woods spoke on his journey at Moorpark College and the mindset he has adopted playing college football.
“I came into junior college ball and I wanted to play right away, and I was doing a good job of it until I hurt myself,” Woods explained. “It’s tough to bounce back, but something I tell myself is to just keep pushing. No matter what happens, believe in yourself and keep pushing no matter what happens.”
The wise-beyond-his-years Moorpark High School alum continued with some advice to the recruits.
“Life will throw curveballs at you, it just depends on how you take it, how mentally strong you are, and just how much you want what you’re working for.”
Woods’ message embodies the mindset of the Raiders football team. The tight-knit fraternity of the team is something that players, both returning and incoming, can lean on. Fellow linebacker Saul Cardenas shared his gratitude for all that the team and the sport of football have brought him.
“I’ve made lifelong friends through football, in high school and here in college. I’ve known a few people for a year and a half and I already feel like I’m really close with them. I feel like I could trust them with not just football, but with anything in life,” the grey-shirt sophomore told. “I’m continuing to meet and form better bonds with people and coaches. That’s going to really help me in the future and help this team as well.”
This incoming class of Raiders has much to look forward to, but starting college and competing in a sport can be overwhelming. Fortunately for them, they will have exemplary models of how to navigate their new endeavors. Stuart also touched on his promising returning group of student-athletes.
“It’s good to see now that we have a good nucleus of guys coming back. So I’m most excited about seeing those guys and how much better they’re gonna be since last year.”
With spring ball right around the corner, things are ramping up for the home team. As the days get longer and summer approaches, the Raiders will gear up for what should be a promising season.
