The 2012 Narbonne squad fell short of getting to the CIF Open Division finals this year, but not short on talent and recruiting. Many argue that this is perhaps the best assembly of City Section players since the Crenshaw Team of ’09-’10. Among the talent are QB Troy Williams (UW Early Spring Enrollee),WR AJ Richardson (Cal Commit), LB Paulo Lepua (Uncommitted), LB Marquis "Red" Lomax (Uncommitted) and LB Keishawn Bierria (Uncommitted).
I had a chance to catch up with Narbonne SR OLB Keishawn Bierria over the course of the recent weeks.
At 6’1”, 215, Bierria has struck me as a formidable recruit. I first watched him break down a Serra running game in September, as he returned a 50-yard fumble the other way. A week later, he was on special teams returning a punt 95 yards against Mater Dei.
At the end of the season, he recorded 87 tackles and 2 sacks. Along the way, Bierria also racked up what every player can ask for in a successful high school career: a 3-Year Varsity starting position, First Team All-City, Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Marine League, and Semper Fidelis High School Football All-American.
Bierra’s work ethic and approach to strength training is part of what makes him so successful. He stated ”During the season, my team never lifted weights so I worked harder off season." However, a true work horse, Bierria revealed he worked out during lunch, in 6th period, and sometimes on the weekends.
“Our coach preached stressing our bodies so we tried to stay as healthy as possible but I always got my lift in before practice” he continues, “I mentally told myself I could never be tired on the field, so I did this daily." When asked about his specific regimen, he focused on his strengthening the core because it made him way faster, he adds “I use all free weights and I usually work out with my older brother and a friend that plays for Cal. People don’t understand that free weights teach you balance, and I use cross fit workouts to get my cardio in."
Bierria takes his first official visit this Friday, January 11th, 2013 to Oregon State University. He took an unofficial trip to see the Beavers in action against Wisconsin back in September. What impressed him the most was “the intensity that was shown on both sides of the ball,” he states, “In crunch time situations, they stepped up to the challenge and did not panic."
When asked about recruiting, Bierria stated “the roster isn’t really a major factor in my choice because the way I think is I will out work anyone in my position." He has fielded over 14 offers, all mostly from Pac-12 schools (Arizona, ASU, Cal, Colorado, Colorado State, Washington State among others).
He plans to take 4 more allowed visits to various schools. “I had to ask my brothers for help, it was overwhelming” he says, humbly, “my family, my brothers, are all truly my inspiration. I will try my hardest to get to the next level and to get paid doing what I love."
