In the Liberty Hawks football offense, throwing the ball isn’t really in the game plan. Last season, the Hawks averaged just less than six attempts a game and gained less than 60 yards a game in the air.
However, that didn’t hinder the progress of Angel Torres, who will play football this fall at the University of La Verne lining up at receiver.
Torres played multiple positions for the Hawks last season. He was one of the team’s top cornerbacks and was the team’s kicker. He made 66 of 70 (94 percent) of extra points last year. He could also see a role at both at La Verne.
“They said they got a junior college commit (at kicker), but if that guy doesn’t do well, I might be kicking,” Torres said. “They also told me I might play defensive back. I could get big looks from bigger schools around the area. It helps that I’m 6-2.”
It makes it even more remarkable for Torres that he only caught two passes for 20 yards last year, and was only thrown at five times.
“I ran an X account for my football stuff,” Torres said. “I communicated through there. I talked to the receiving coach, and went to one of their camps. After the camp, they gave me an offer. I was playing more receiver and less defense.
“I made clear to the coaches during my recruitment, the only offensive film I have is blocking and one or two catches. I think he gave me the offer to see what I could do. At Liberty, there’s a lot of receivers that don’t get the ball, but do well.”
However, in head coach Mike Nolte’s offense, if you don’t block, you don’t get on the field. Torres heard that message and improved his downfield blocking.
“I love blocking,” he said. “I took my full pride in blocking. If you don’t block and give that effort, you aren’t going to get on the field and coach isn’t going to run the ball to your side. I think every time coach wanted a big play, he would run the ball my way. I am glad he did because I think I was the best blocker of the group.”
One of Torres’ unofficial jobs with the football team was hype man.
“I wanted to pump the team up,” he said. “Before the game, it’s good to be pumped up because it makes you hungry for what you want. It wasn’t just me. It helped us with our game, style and confidence against other teams. I hope that transfers along to the college level. I’ve always been that confidence person. I wasn’t so much my freshman year, but my sophomore year when I made the move to defensive back. Just having that strong mentality built up my confidence.”
Torres is excited about the opportunity to play football, not only at the next level, but at a four-year school.
“No one gets that opportunity to play at a four-year. It’s blessed to have that,” he said.
Torres, who graduated from Liberty with a 3.0 grade point average, plans to major in business administration. He also played for the Liberty soccer team for three years.
“I want to come back and support the community. I want to have a landscaping business,” he said.
Torres drew interest from San Mateo Junior College and Fresno City College, but chose La Verne because of the environment and the coaching staff, as well as being a four-year college.
Another plus is former teammate Talan LaMattina is also at La Verne.
“Talan helped recruit me there. Because he’s there, he helped the decision,” Torres said.
Because La Verne is in Southern California, their roster is constantly changing because of transfers to bigger schools. Torres plans to look into that, but is more than happy to stay at La Verne.
“Because they were a four year and other big schools in the area look at their roster intrigued me. Some kids transfer to USC and UCLA and other schools,” he said. “They want you to graduate there. But, if you want to be better, we’re not going to be upset. They are supportive. It was a dream to become a college athlete. I was so negative on myself and wasn’t as athletic as I am now.”
Torres enjoyed his time at Liberty, even though he would have liked the ball to be thrown his way more.
“I think my athletic career went pretty well,” he said. “Just being around the environment and coaching staff was great. It was a brotherhood. The whole community comes out to the game. People know your name.”
Torres officially signed his National Letter of Intent at the school’s signing day in may.
“It was a really cool. I was excited and happy,” he said. “Nobody gets to really do that at Liberty. Not a lot of kids from the football team signs. To actually sign that letter was great to do. The feeling is good to know where I’m going. I’m comfortable where I’m at and know what I’m doing. If I do need help, I have a good support system. My support system is a big part of my career.”
Torres is the first from his family to play sports at a four year college.
“My parents are shocked and surprised because no one from my family has taken the opportunity to play at a four-year college,” he said. “They are really proud. I felt the weight on that all the time. I felt that during the games because they are here and I need to prove to them I could play at the next level. My parents are very hard on me.”
Although he is about three hours away, Torres said his parents are happy he stayed in California. There were schools out of state that inquired.
“My parents want to see me grow and be comfortable,” he said.
Before he goes back to school, Torres spent the summer spending a lot of time with family, but also getting workouts in because football season is fast approaching.
“I work both offense and defense, and also kick some times. I know summer goes by fast and I’m trying to get myself ready for the season,” he said.