The double standards of college football coaches, who grumble about the difficulties of maintaining a team in the age of the transfer portal and NIL, are glaring. These coaches have historically wielded power over players, determining their futures and withdrawing scholarships at will.
However, now that players can shape their own futures and profit from their own images, coaches are feeling the heat. The NCAA’s greed and unwillingness to distribute the wealth generated by college sports have led to this predicament. Players should have the right to vie for their services and not be held captive by coaches who put their own interests first. A growing chorus of voices is calling for a shift in the power balance in college football.
The transfer portal, which allows college athletes to switch schools without having to take a year off, has made it simpler for dissatisfied players to leave. This has put coaches under pressure to continually recruit and keep players, leading to grievances about the challenge of maintaining a team.
Let’s face it, some coaches are better recruiters than they are coaches. Meaning there will be players in their programs that did not receive the experience that they were sold on the recruiting trail. In those instances, it makes sense for a collegiate athlete that has 5-to-play-4 to find greener pastures.
The funny thing is that Coaches will try to make a student-athlete seem mentally weak, or disloyal if they decide to leave the program. That same coach will run faster than Usain Bolt to move up in the coaching ranks or make more money.
These challenges are a byproduct of the system that college football coaches have long exploited, and they should adjust to the evolving landscape rather than bemoan it. The irony of coaches who have capitalized on their players’ skills now feeling the strain of player empowerment might also be noted.
Moreover, the NIL rules now permit college athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness, giving players more influence and control over their own careers. Coaches who have long profited from the unpaid work of their players are now confronted with a new reality where athletes have more power and independence.
What are the players looking for?
They want Development, Opportunity, and Playing Time.
Can they improve in their position under this Coach and this program?
Will they have a chance to grow and play?
Determining playing time can be more complex, but if the coach and his program have clear guidelines about how players get on the field, it’s not that difficult. Some programs rely on seniority and merit to decide who plays, while others purport to focus solely on merit. Most Coaches will assert that they don’t engage in politics, but this is true for only a handful.
However, players and their parents repeatedly recount tales of Daddy Ball, Politics, and a system of favoritism. Whether it’s the Coach’s child getting the lion’s share of opportunities at a specific position, or the legacy family that also happens to be major contributors to the school or program, or the politics of the feeder program from which a kid hails, or the influence that his former coach may wield.
Class of 2027 | QB| El Toro HS (CA) HT: 6’1″ | WT: 200 lbs | GPA: 4.3
Under the Friday night lights of September 12, 2025, El Toro quarterback Wyatt Nucci put on a clinic. In front of a packed home crowd, the junior signal-caller carved up Trabuco Hills’ defense — completing 17 of 20 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns — and added a 30-yard rushing score that sent the stadium into a roar. By the end of the third quarter, the scoreboard read El Toro 56, Trabuco Hills 7, and the Chargers had snapped a four-year losing streak to their crosstown rivals.
It wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. A poised, near-flawless performance that showed why those who’ve watched Nucci up close call him one of Orange County’s best-kept secrets.
The Journey
For Wyatt, the story started long before that Friday night. Football was part of the household rhythm growing up — the background noise that eventually becomes a calling.
“Just living and growing up with my dad, he was a huge fan of football,” Nucci says.
“It was always on TV, always around me. I started with flag football and just fell in love with how competitive it is — the team aspect, the bond you build with your brothers.”
That early fascination evolved into discipline once he began training with his private quarterback coach, Armin Youngblood — now the offensive coordinator at Loyola High in Los Angeles.
“Coach Youngblood really made me fall in love with the position,” Nucci says. “Not just the game itself, but the process — working hard every day, seeing it translate in real games. That’s what makes it rewarding.”
Armin Youngblood (left) and Wyatt Nucci (right) share a moment after practice.
His path hasn’t been linear. Moving schools more than once forced him to learn new systems, adjust to new coaches, and rebuild chemistry with new teammates. “That’s probably been my biggest challenge,” he says. “Learning new offenses, meeting new people, adapting — but it made me better. It taught me to handle adversity.”
Now settled at El Toro High School, Nucci has found both rhythm and leadership. His teammates feed off his calm presence and quiet confidence — the golfer’s temperament that shows up even under pressure.
The Hidden Gem Factor
Wyatt doesn’t fit the typical headline-chasing mold. He’s not about flash or social media noise. He’s the quarterback who studies film, fine-tunes footwork, and measures progress like a craftsman — rep by rep, throw by throw.
He’s also a dual-sport athlete, running track and returning to golf, where he’s currently shooting around a 12 handicap. “I got back into it this past summer,” he says. “My goal is to be single-digit by next summer. Just a couple things I need to tune up.”
That self-coaching mindset — the attention to precision — is what separates him. The same discipline that builds a golf swing translates into a throwing motion. The same patience that drops a ball on the fairway fuels his pocket composure.
And while his numbers speak volumes, his academic performance speaks even louder. A 4.3 weighted GPA and three AP courses this year show a mind built for long-term success. “I take it seriously,” he says. “That’s part of who I am — I want to be great at whatever I do.”
Off the Field
Away from football, Wyatt keeps things simple—a round of golf, a trip to Mammoth, or a double-double after practice. He’s an Apple guy, a fan of Caleb Williams—but he doesn’t paint his nails on game day—and the kind of kid who’d rather unwind than chase attention.
When asked who inspires him most, he doesn’t hesitate.
“Armin Youngblood,” he says. “He’s helped me so much — on and off the field.”
And behind it all stands family.
“My parents mean the world to me,” he adds. “They’ve sacrificed so much for me, given me every opportunity. I’ll always be grateful for that.”
Team & Mentors
Those influences — family, coaches, mentors — define who Wyatt is becoming. He’s learned how to lead without noise, to set a standard quietly, and to earn respect through consistency.
His teammates see it too: the calm after a missed throw, the leadership in the huddle, the quick tap on the shoulder when someone needs it. Those moments don’t show up in stat lines, but they win locker rooms.
Goals & Recruiting
Still early in his recruiting timeline, Nucci’s focus remains simple: keep developing, keep learning, and help his team win. The tools are there — 6’1”, 200 lbs, high IQ, multi-sport background, and steady mechanics. The upside is obvious.
He’s driven by the same precision that makes him successful in the classroom and on the course. “There’s always something to fix,” he says. “Something to improve.”
That mentality — the one that studies both the swing and the spiral — is what separates good quarterbacks from the ones who eventually get college calls.
Looking Ahead
For now, Wyatt Nucci is focused on the next game, the next practice, the next opportunity to build on what he’s started. But that night against Trabuco Hills will always stand as a milestone — not just for the score, but for what it symbolized.
He’s not chasing attention. He’s preparing for his moment. And if his 17-of-20 performance was any indication, that moment is coming sooner than people think.
“Wyatt’s the definition of a Hidden Gem,” said Hidden Gems evaluator Nakawa Shepherd. “Smart, steady, disciplined — he plays the game with maturity beyond his years. That’s exactly what we’re here to spotlight.”
Nick Ingram and South Bay Sports Radio will be on hand for this week’s Torrance vs. Redondo matchup. The Sea Hawks get a boost with several players making their season debut after the sit-out period. Torrance enters undefeated, led by Hidden Gems standouts Vaughn Reinert, Kaeson Pressley, and Gibson Turner—looking to keep their streak alive.
Class of 2026 | DB/RB | Lincoln HS (CA) HT: 5’11” | WT: 180 lbs | GPA: 4.3
On a cool December evening in San Diego, King David Dunn stood on the sideline in Lincoln High green and gold, the bright lights of the state championship game cutting through the night sky. Just a freshman, he lined up alongside teammates far older and stronger, his father coaching only a few steps away. The Hornets would go on to claim the title, and for Dunn, that moment — becoming a state champion while sharing the journey with his dad — remains one of his proudest memories.
Now a senior, Dunn carries himself with the calm of a veteran. He’s already a two-time state champion, and the chase for a third is underway. But beyond the rings and wins, his story is about persistence, preparation, and proving that sometimes the best players don’t fit the easy recruiting mold.
Football wasn’t Dunn’s first love. Growing up, he spent more time on basketball courts and baseball fields before football finally took hold around age five.
“I come from a football family on both sides,” he explains. “I was always around my brothers and cousins, and it just stuck.”
Early on, he carved out a reputation as a versatile athlete. Running back was his first position, followed by defensive back. By seventh grade, he found his way to wide receiver, and the game changed for him. At 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Dunn doesn’t tower over defenders, but he plays with a blend of strength and quickness honed through track and the weight room. A CIF qualifier in the 100, 200, 400, and relays, he’s one of the fastest on the field. Add a 455-pound squat, and it’s clear he’s built for more than just finesse.
Still, Dunn understands the uphill climb.
“I realized I have to be ten times better than everybody else,” he says. “A lot of teams want taller receivers. There’s only a couple slot guys on a roster, so I need to be different — something abnormal.”
That chip fuels him. Off the field, he’s a 4.3 GPA student, focused on academics as much as athletics. His mother has pushed him to excel in the classroom, and his uncles — his first coaches — continue to remind him that discipline matters as much as talent. His grandmother, meanwhile, remains the loudest fan in the stands.
Lincoln High itself is part of Dunn’s story. The program is one of California’s most respected, producing top-level players for decades. Dunn describes the culture simply:
“The second you step on the field, you’re expected to compete. No excuses.”
Game Day Photo of King David Dunn
The Hornets’ community backs that up. On Friday nights, tailgaters line the park across from the stadium, fans crowd the fences, and the energy spills onto the field.
In that environment, mentors like Offensive Coordinator Jason Carter have helped shape Dunn into more than just an athlete.
“He wants you to succeed, and he’ll do everything in his power for you to succeed,”
Dunn says. It’s a reflection of the larger Lincoln standard — hard-nosed, disciplined, and unrelenting.
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