Casa’s Garrigan chooses Humboldt

Casa Grande High School senior Kaleo Garrigan will continue his academic and football career at Humboldt State University in Arcata.

Garrigan signed a letter of intent to accept a scholarship from the Northern California School last week on National Signing Day, the first day senior athletes were allowed to officially sign with colleges.

“It definitely felt right for me,” Garrigan said. “It is a beautiful campus and close to the redwoods and the beach. And it is not too far away from home.”

He said he is leaning toward a business curriculum.

He acknowledged that receiving a scholarship helped in his decision. “There is a lot less stress on my parents,” he explained. “I really appreciate all they have done for me growing up.”

It helped that players from Petaluma, including current Casa assistant coach Conner Waggoner and Thomas Kupelian, who played on the Lumberjack offensive line last season, have had successful careers at Humboldt.

“It is really cool to have past Casa players going there,” Garrigan noted. Garrigan played both receiver and defensive back for the Gauchos, but has the athleticism to play any number of positions in college. He said he has been told he will be a receiver as a Lumberjack.

Although he missed two games with an injury, Garrigan still caught 36 passes for 571 yards and led the team with 11 receiving touchdowns. He was chosen the Gauchos’ Offensive Player of the Year.”

Casa Grande coach Trent Herzog said the senior is going to get even better.

“He can be real good,” the coach said. “He is not even close to reaching his potential. He is going to be a really good football player.”

For the newest Lumberjack, football is in his genes.

“I love football. It runs in the family,” he said.

His older brother, Makana Garrigan, has been called by Herzog, “The greatest player I ever coached.

“And,” he added at the football team’s awards dinner, “Kaleo can be better.”

Makana Garrigan went on to play football at the University of Nevada, Reno and is now a graduate assistant coach at the college. The athletes’ father, Kimo Garrigan, is the coach of the freshman football team at Casa Grande. Kaleo’s cousin, JaJuan Lawson, is a quarterback at the University of New Mexico.

Kaleo says he felt no pressure following his All-Empire, All-League brother into the Gaucho lineup.

“I didn’t find it that hard,” he explained. “I knew he was always behind me. There was never a lot of pressure on me.”

He said that even as he prepares to move on, he knows he is going to miss Casa Grande.

“Casa has been like a second home to me,” he said. “I love going to school here. Everyone has been so supportive.”

That especially includes Herzog.

“Coach Herzog has been great,” Garrigan said. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without him.”

Where he is is Humboldt State bound after sifting through several offers from other colleges. “It was surreal,” he said of the recruiting whirlwind. “I’m glad its over and I have a place to go.”