The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.
The reigning Moore League champs scored another victory on Wednesday as seven more members of the stacked Millikan Rams senior class signed their National Letters of Intent to continue their playing careers.
That group joins the six early signees to form a 13-player class for the 2025 recruiting cycle, with a few more players still waiting to sign in the coming weeks.
The seven players who signed during Wednesday’s National Signing Day were Malik Jacques (Delaware State), Ethan Naudin (Benedictine College), Kade Hegedus (Black Hills State), Jessie Wishon (Black Hills State), Kapono Mao (Black Hills State), Terrell Dolberry (Western New Mexico), and Malik Stacy (Western New Mexico).
“Last year, we won the Moore League for the first time in 51 years,” said Rams head coach Romeo Pellum, receiving a big round of applause. “It’s a testament to the coaches, they put a lot of time in, and for the kids and the parents, it’s really about this. About these kids here, and the kids that signed earlier, the kids that’ll continue to sign in this ‘25 class. We had a really special group. They raised the bar here at Millikan.”
Jacques is an imposing 6-foot-5 defensive end for the Rams, who joins the first recruiting class for new Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson. He said he’s excited to play at an HBCU for one of the best football players to come out of Long Beach.
Quite an achievement for a kid who’s only played two years of football. His senior season with the Rams was his first time on varsity after missing his junior year with an injury, meaning he has a ton of upside to tap into at the next level.
“It means everything,” said Jacques of signing his NLI. “I worked hard, I made so many sacrifices to be in the position that I am today. And I want to thank all my coaches for putting me in this position and improving my technique. For playing football only two years of my life, this is amazing. I worked hard for it.”
Wide receiver Ethan Naudin is headed to Benedictine College in Kansas, where he’ll follow a trio of Rams–Jayden Icasiano, Ryder McGuire, and Riley Tuggle–who signed with the Ravens last season. Naudin didn’t get a ton of action this season in Millikan’s run-oriented offense, but he and Coach Pellum are both firm believers in his talent, which he now has the opportunity to showcase at the college level.
“It’s great, especially being an under-recruited player coming out of high school, it’s a great opportunity to get that chance to go play football at the next level,” said Naudin. “And show the world what I can truly do. It feels great.”
Speaking of that Millikan run game, the Rams are sending all five of their starting offensive linemen to college this year, with the latest three all going to Black Hills State in South Dakota. The Yellow Jackets already have a Millikan O-lineman on their roster–Damian Hernandez signed there in the 2022 class, and they’ve got three more Rams coming their way.
Mao has been a longtime commit to BHSU since before his senior season, where he anchored the Rams’ offensive line at the center position.
“As a little kid, I always thought of this moment,” said Mao. “So standing here today, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude to all who blessed me with any type of knowledge, whether that be football or life. Since a little kid I was counted out, but I never let that stop me, and I’ll never let it do so. I’ll continue to chase my dreams.”
Jessie Wishon was a four-year starter for the Rams who was the co-Offensive Lineman of the Year in the Moore League, sharing that honor with Mao.
“First and foremost, thank God, my family, and especially my grandma for being my biggest supporter from day one,” said Wishon at the podium. “To my coaches. I’m thankful for everything you guys did for me, especially Coach Romeo, for pushing me to be the best on and off the field. Your guidance, mentorship and dedication have shaped me into the athlete and person I am today.”
Those two, along with Hegedus, who was a First Team All-Moore League honoree in his own right, formed the interior of the Millikan line to help running back Anthony League set a new single-season rushing record for the Rams. Coach Pellum was happy to see them stay together in college and knows it will bode well for Black Hills State in the near future.
“We clearly had the best line, I think, in this area of Southern California. So the future is bright for them,” said Pellum. “They all play together and hold each other accountable and can keep the standard going of what we have here.”
Another pair of Millikan teammates are going to Western New Mexico, with defensive lineman Terrell Dolberry and safety Malik Stacy both joining the Mustangs. Both players were Second Team All-Moore League selections last season.
“It is special. I’m excited to go over there and play at Western New Mexico. It’s a blessing,” said Stacy, who is glad he’ll have a familiar teammate right away. “Coming from the same high school, and to bring that Millikan spirit over there is special.”
Pellum said that three additional players are expected to sign soon–RB Xavier Jones, WR Kato Keohaname, and DB Dillon Nelson–which would bring Millikan’s number of college football signees up to 37 during Pellum’s six years as head coach.
“The expectation here is high,” said Pellum of his program. “We’re no longer a second place team. We’re a championship team, and that’s our motto going forward–we will always try to be number one. Not that we haven’t before, but that’s the expectation. There’s a new team in Long Beach, and that’s us. So shout out to these guys for helping us do that.”
