"With time running out to find a way to pay for college and also play football, running back Zander Lewis of Corona Centennial received a last-minute scholarship offer from Virginia Military Institute and signed Wednesday. As they say, all anyone needs is one opportunity from someone who believes in you, and Lewis seized it. "I feel great," he said. He took a recruiting trip last week to VMI. His only other offer was a partial academic scholarship to Drake."
"@JaredBackus1 gave me my first D1 college coaching gig. 5 years later, we worked together to give a student-athlete an opportunity to change his life. California to VMI is rare, relationships matter! https://t.co/IxEJvPFjBM- Anthony Catalano (@QBCatalano) February 6, 2026 Helping create the opportunity was assistant coach Anthony Catalano, who used to work with VMI's new defensive coordinator five years ago at Cornell. Catalano recommended VMI take a look at Lewis."
Zander Lewis, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound running back from Corona Centennial, signed a last-minute scholarship with Virginia Military Institute to play football and attend college. Lewis rushed for 606 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior for the Southern Section Division 1 finalists. He played three years at Ontario Christian before transferring to Centennial after a coaching change. His only other offer was a partial academic scholarship to Drake. Assistant coach Anthony Catalano used a past connection with VMI's defensive coordinator to recommend Lewis. VMI requires a buzz cut, which Lewis will keep until late summer.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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