The562’s football coverage for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Long Beach Poly alums Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
It was a special afternoon at Long Beach Poly as Anthony Rodriguez and Jaden Hernandez signed their commitments to play football at the collegiate level on Wednesday.
Rodriguez officially signed with UC Davis, while Hernandez signed with Colorado State.
Hernandez has been the ultimate X-factor for the Jackrabbits lining up on both sides of the ball – doing whatever Poly needed. The senior compiled 400 yards receiving and three touchdowns offensively and had six sacks defensively this year. With his versatility Hernandez was named Moore League utility player of the year.
“The job’s not finished, so we’re gonna keep working,” Hernandez said.
The decision didn’t come without some uncertainty for Hernandez as Colorado State parted ways with head coach Jay Norvell and hired Jim Mora to be his replacement last week.
“We’re still figuring out if the coaching staff is going to stay or not,” Hernandez said. “But, I like coach Mora and what he has planned for Colorado State, so I trust in his process.”
Hernandez joins a small contingent of Poly alum in Colorado as he’ll play alongside former jackrabbits Darius Curry and Tay Lanier.
Rodriguez’s path to the college level was different than Hernandez and included picking up shoulder pads for the first time his freshman year. Four years of honing his craft paid dividends this summer when Rodriguez picked up his offer from UC Davis during Poly’s 7v7 Legends Invitational.
“I want to first and foremost thank you to Davis and my coaching staff for helping me to get my first offer,” Rodriguez said. “I’m just very blessed to be able to commit because people can receive offers and then not be able to commit. And (Davis) said ‘We’re fully committed with you and we want you.’”
Rodriguez finished the season being named the Moore League’s offensive lineman of the year – proof of what he was able to accomplish as one of the anchors for the Jackrabbits’ line.
