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2018: HERO SPORTS FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN… PHIL STEELE FIRST TEAM FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN… Started five of 13 games played… Ended the 2018 season with the following Big Sky ranking: No. 34 in tackles (6.0 per game)… Recorded a career-high 11 tackles vs. Northern Arizona (11/3), a total he matched the following week at Eastern Washington (11/10) and in the Aggies’ playoff game at EWU (12/8)… The first sack of his career took place against Idaho (9/22); his next was earned at Eastern Washington in the postseason… Finished with a career-high 2.0 tackles for loss against Idaho (9/22) and Northern Arizona (11/3)… First career fumble recovery took place at San José State (8/30).
2017: Redshirted.
CENTRAL CATHOLIC HS '17: Garnered Cal-Hi All-State, All-NorCal, All-Sac-Joaquin Section, All-Valley Oak League and
Modesto Bee All-District honors in 2016... Previously made All-VOL first team, All-District (both linebacker and running back), Underclassmen MVP & NorCal Top ATH and BlackHatFootball.com All-Area first team in 2015... Three-year starter on both sides of the ball... Played for head coach Roger Canepa... Helped Raiders to a 52-7 combined record and three State Bowl Division IV championships... CCHS went perfect 16-0 with an average score of 47-10 in his junior year... Defensively, posted tackles totals of 57, 55, 91 and 68 from freshman through senior year, respectively... Also had 18.5 sacks for 112 yards during that span... Added 2 interceptions, 4 passes defensed and 3 fumble recoveries... Offensively, averaged 6.7 yards per carry (2,209 total yards) and scored 38 touchdowns during his prep career... Rushed for 774 yards and 14 TDs as a senior, up from 492 yards and 13 TDs in 2015... State Bowl MVP in 2013, thanks to 16-for-103 rushing and two scores against Bakersfield Christian... Played alongside cousin, DaRon, in Jr. Prep Sports All-Select Paradise Football Classic in Honolulu in 2017... Competed in club track & field for Modesto-based Central Valley Roadrunners for eight years... Competed in Junior Olympics for five straight years, placing 4th in 200, 5th in 100 in 2008.
PERSONAL: Born in Modesto, Calif.... Parents are Louis Bland & Lisa Smith-Bland... Comes from rich family tradition in football... Louis played for Sacramento State... Older brothers Louis, Jr. (Washington State) and Reggie (Azusa Pacific) also went on to play college ball... Cousin, DaRon, was his teammate at CCHS and is headed to Sacramento State... Presided over CCHS Christian Athletes Association... Also member of Future Farmers of America, Rally Commissioner, Associated Student Body, Tech Club and Bowling Club... Volunteered for Habitat For Humanity, as a coach for Faith & Football Youth Camp and as a youth wrestling coach.
