Zona Zealots
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Khalil Tate’s stellar college debut did not surprise Zona Zealots

By Shereen Rayan

October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) runs the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) runs the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rich Rod and Khalil Tate
Rich Rod and Khalil Tate, photo taken by Lesli Tate (Khalil’s mother) /

Khalil Tate’s Poise

Khalil Tate played quarterback for Serra HS in Gardena, California, making varsity in his sophomore year.

While in Southern California, Tate had played multiple sports growing up, all of which helped him become the quarterback he is today. He had played baseball and basketball but learned the most from his days on the hardwood.

Tate, like fellow quarterbacks Anu Solomon and Brandon Dawkins, played in the Southern Section of the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation), also called the PAC-5, this is one of the toughest divisions to play high school football.

In the Southern Section are the two best leagues; Mission League (schools included are private schools such as Serra, Chaminade, Loyola, and Notre Dame) and the Trinity League (schools including St John Bosco, which is one of the top ten in the nation, etc.).

Here’s a little flashback to Khalil running a long TD against Pac-5 powerhouse, Mater Dei HS. Not many players can make plays like this, let alone against Mater Dei.

For the CIF playoffs the last few years, the league’s have crossed. That’s how Serra and Corona Centennial (J.J. Taylor’s alma mater) played one another.

https://twitter.com/ZonaZealots/status/782734955092643842

Serra-Gardena HS Football’s legacy includes some UCLA and USC current players including; Trojan Adoree Jackson and Bruin WR Brandon Burton who had an offer from Arizona.

However, Tate decided not to stay local. He was convinced by Coach Rod to come to Arizona to further his career as a quarterback. Rodriguez promised Tate he could play quarterback for the Wildcats, despite the numerous offers from other schools recruiting him as an athlete. Otherwise, Tate may have landed anywhere but Tucson.

Tate had quarterback offers from UCLA, USC, Oregon State, Cal and more and athlete offers from Utah, FSU, and Nebraska.

During his sophomore season in high school, he spent most of his time playing 7-on-7 football:

"What drives me as an athlete is my youth football experience (over 10,000 passing and 3,000 rushing yards as a QB) playing for the Inglewood Jr. All-American Football League. This football league has a big legacy, and the bar to succeed was set very high because of our famous alumni. A lot of our alumni currently play professional football and basketball: Marcellus Wiley – Sports Nation, Curtis Conway – ESPN/PAC-12 Network, DeSean Jackson – Washington Redskins, Orlando Scandrick – Dallas Cowboys, Paul Pierce – Washington Wizards, Trevor Ariza – Houston Rockets, Marqise Lee – Jacksonville Jaguars, and Byron Scott – LA Lakers Head Coach and the list goes on."

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