CV ATHLETE PROFILE - Adrian Ruiz

CV Athletes is introducing a new Athlete Profile Feature to our site. Week 8 CV Athlete of the Week, Adrian Ruiz, from Kerman High School is first up. Enjoy and be on the lookout for more profiles in the very near future.

WHO: Adrian Ruiz | Senior
WHERE: Kerman High School
POSITION(S): Possession Receiver/Lockdown Safety
IN A FEW WORDS: Devin Hester-like return man

He put up 42 points in a basketball game against Yosemite High School as a junior. He was running at the high school a couple of weeks ago when a lady stopped him and told him, “You are Adrian Ruiz, my son wants to meet you.” Before this football season he wanted to be in the spotlight by having the ball in his hands. He’s definitely Kerman’s youngest celebrity. He has... plenty of confidence and swagger.

I am talking about do-it-all Kerman High standout Adrian Ruiz. No he hasn’t been offered by USC, Michigan, CAL or even Fresno State for that matter. Don’t forget neither was the man he patterns his game after; receiver for the Carolina Panthers Steve Smith.

If you see him standing at the snack bar you would just mistake him for another high school student. Once you step on the field it’s a whole different story. Ruiz is the go-to receiver, best safety and elusive return man for Kerman and oh by the way he has yet to reach his full potential according to head coach Efrain Guizar. Even Ruiz himself admits he’s still learning the game.

“As a junior I didn’t start on defense…I couldn’t understand my reads,” Ruiz calmly says in phone conversation. “I’ve come a long way and gotten better. All the team meetings really help. I’m just humble and happy we are winning.”

Forget the fact that it will take you hours to try and name another player in the valley that has two career wins against the Dos Palos Broncos. Forget the thought of your team having the best receiver in the valley.

“I believe I can lockdown any receiver in the valley,” he said with great confidence.

There is nothing better than a stud athlete with great confidence. He’s ready for any challenge. I asked him about college. His answer was simple:

“I haven’t got any offers. I wish I was a little taller but I’m not,” said Ruiz. “I’m not going to let it stop me though, I just have to work that much harder and get better.”

He’s the same height as Steve Smith. That Smith guy he’s a pretty good NFL receiver.

Coming into this season Ruiz wanted to be like Keyshawn Johnson, by that I mean he wanted the damn ball. Eight weeks into the season, he describes the highlight of his career as becoming the team leader. He’s accepted that if he gets double-teamed someone else is open.

“It’s all about wins,” said Ruiz.

Now that’s a mature high school senior. He doesn’t care about stats, just wins. You can thank coach Guizar for installing that mentally in the entire Kerman team.

“I love coach Guizar, I love that guy,” Ruiz acknowledges. “He yells at us, but not to be mean just to get us prepared and motivate us. He’s one of the best coaches I have ever had.”

Forget about getting in Ruiz’s head. He doesn’t play mind games. Before every game he gets taped up and thinks about his assignments while blasting some rock songs or rap to get pumped up. The kid doesn’t need any disruptions as he mentally prepares. Preparation is key.

The interception he returned for a touchdown against Dos Palos was due to that. Ruiz said the coaches worked on that play Dos Palos ran all week.

“I just made my read, saw the tight end coming out, stepped in front and did my thing, I took to the house,” said Ruiz.

He’s humble. He also knows he’s good. Confidence can take you a long way in life. He doesn’t want to go a long way however, suiting up for Fresno City or Merced College will suffice for him. Ruiz wants to remain close to his hometown—Kerman.

He’ll have to go far if he is to achieve his ultimate goal.

“I want to make it to the NFL. If not that I want to be like coach Guizar and teach and stuff like that.”

It’s good to see there are still role models in sports these days.