Eight Owls Ready to Begin Year with New Teams

Eight Citrus College football players are gearing up for a new season with new teams.

Jeremiah Flores is headed to Central Missouri as a defensive back after two seasons with the Owls. This last year, Flores appeared in nine games and averaged 53.7 yards per game with five touchdowns, including one for 56 yards, as a wide receiver. Defensively, Flores had eight tackles, a breakup, and two interceptions.

"My time at Citrus College, words will never be able to explain how great it was for me," said Flores. "Coach Ponce and Coach Hayashi both blessed me with the chance to continue to play football and opened my eyes to see I can do something with this game. Big shout out to Coach Hayashi allowing me to play both ways and because of that I received my scholarship to the University of Central Missouri to continue chasing my dream!"

Levi Currier joins the UNLV roster after a solid freshman campaign with the Owls. He appeared in eight games and made 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks defensively.

"I'm super excited for what lies ahead of me," said Currier. "I am ready to do what I've always done, which is work my tail off to accomplish what I need to. I'm excited to compete at this level and am super grateful that God has blessed me with this opportunity. My time at Citrus meant everything to me, I bought into the program and the coaches bought into me. I'll have love for the whole coaching staff and for the team forever. It means the world what they all have done for me. I'm proud to have been an Owl and will always be grateful for my time there."

After a stellar sophomore season with the Owls, Kasmir Dina joins the roster at Central State University. In 2021, Dina finished the year with 142 rushes for 806 yards, averaging 80.6 yards per game, which ranked No. 1 in the conference standings. He also scored five touchdowns and was named all-conference and to the All-America Community College Football Team.

"My time at Citrus meant the world to me," said Dina. "Coach Ponce and Coach Hayashi gave me a second chance to play a sport I love. Citrus helped me grow as a person and made me understand how much potential I have in me. I'm forever grateful to Central State for believing in me and helping me continue my career in football. I always wanted to play college football at a higher level and now I'm able to do that."

Offensive lineman Dayvione Stewart will continue his career at Northwestern Oklahoma State. Last season, the Owl OL amassed 422.9 total yards offense per game and average 36.8 points per game.

"My time at Citrus was great, it gave me the opportunity to continue academically and athletically," said Stewart. "I learned a lot of things from great people and the football coaching staff, especially Coach Hayashi and Coach Raul. I'm appreciative of what they taught me which led to the opportunity to continue my dream of playing football at the next level. I'll continue to use that knowledge at Northwestern Oklahoma State and more."

Mauricio Mendoza heads to the University of Ottawa after two seasons with the Owls, helping hold down the line for one of the top defenses in the league.

"When the storm is hitting down, you must stay up and fight through the storm," said Mendoza. "Once you come out of it, you see the purpose of why you are chasing your dream to make it all come into reality. Continuing my career at the University of Ottawa is a blessing to be a part of a Spirit family going to fight to win a national championship. I am grateful to a lot of wonderful people and the great coaching staff at Citrus. It was a family that welcomed you and never let you fail on your dreams!"

Former Owl defensive end Brandon Armstead heads to Henderson State. As a freshman, Armstead played in 10 games, making 40 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He also had three breakups.

"My time at Citrus meant a lot," said Armstead. "Coach Hayashi gave me an opportunity to showcase my abilities and it was a great experience through all the adversity. Citrus gave me an opportunity to extend my career and keep playing football at a competitive level, I am thankful."

Former Owl offensive linemen Rayaan Shaw and Ronnie Mendez also will continue their playing careers. Shaw joins the roster at Eastern New Mexico after one season with Citrus, while  Mendez heads to New Mexico State after picking up All-America Community College Football Team honors this last year.