Relative novice Ruckman has been quick study for Giants

By Nick Giannandrea

COS Athletics

Judah Ruckman arrived at College of the Sequoias unlike most every other player in the history of the Giants' football program.

The Springville resident never played a snap in high school.

Not because of ability, injury or eligibility, but because Ruckman was homeschooled by his parents.

"Judah and his father showed up in my office one day a year ago and asked if I would give him a chance," second-year Giants' coach Joe D'Agostino said. "At the time, I had just taken over, and for me, this was a local kid who just wanted an opportunity. So I said 'why not?'"

In a season and a half, Ruckman has blossomed into one of the Giants' top defensive players entering their Central Valley Conference opener, set for 6 p.m. Oct. 19 at state-ranked Modesto.

The Pirates (4-1) are No. 6 in the JC Athletic Bureau Coaches Poll and No. 3 by the California Community College Sports Information Association. COS is receiving six and 10 votes, respectively, in the same two polls.

Ruckman, a 5-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore linebacker leads the Giants in tackles (30), sacks (two) and forced fumbles (one), and is second in tackles for losses (6.5).

"I really wanted to do this," Ruckman said. "But it was hard at first. I didn't know anything about coverages or anything like that. I really had to study a lot. Coach D would go over the plays and our responsibilities with me, and I'd write everything down and try to memorize it."

It was a whole new experience for D'Agostino, too, especially during Ruckman's first few practices.

"I was afraid he was going to break his neck," D'Agostino said. "I remember the conversation I had with his dad. I said if I feel he is a safety risk, we'll pull him real quick. But he exceeded every trepidation I had."

Ruckman, however, wasn't a complete football novice. And he's not even the only member of his family to play college football without high school experience.

Ruckman played Pop Warner football from ages 11-14 in Strathmore. Had he gone to high school in Strathmore, he would have been a part of the Spartans' California Interscholastic Federation State Division 6-AA championship team.

And both his father, Ryan, and uncle, Jeff Ruckman, played college football while his grandfather, Bob, is a former head coach at Granite Hills High in Porterville. Ryan, who also was homeschooled and did not compete in high school, played at Porterville College and Sacramento State. Jeff starred at Porterville High before moving on to UCLA.

"My dad always encouraged me and said that I could do it if I really wanted to," Ruckman said. "My dad and uncle taught me how to play. They always talked about football, and I kind of just listened to what you're supposed to do as a linebacker. "

Ruckman didn't play too much during the first five games of his freshman season in 2018. 

While Ruckman had the physical ability, it took him time to learn form tackling, defensive assignments and coverages.

"We had to break it down and teach him how to tackle," D'Agostino said. "We took him to the neophyte type stage. But once he got roots and some fundamental stuff, he took off. He put so much work in. He's tireless. He's always watching film and asking questions, wanting to know what he did right or what he did wrong."

So Ruckman worked. 

And studied. 

Nonstop.

"I just came to practice every day and did what the coaches wanted me to do," Ruckman said. "I really enjoy playing. It's fun."

By the time conference play started last season, Ruckman began working his way onto the field. He became a starter for the last two games, finishing the season with 11 tackles, including 1.5 for losses.

And he opened this season with a bang, collecting 10 tackles and two sacks and a forced fumble during the Giants' 30-24 overtime victory against Feather River.

Ruckman is averaging six tackles per game.

"He's worked his butt off in the weight room and in film study and played himself into a pretty darn good football player," D'Agostino said. "He's a super intelligent kid on and off the field. He's been phenomenal. He wants to be great and he has a work ethic that not many people who have come through here have had. What he's done is uncommon, but it doesn't surprise me because I see how hard he works every single day."

Ruckman wants to follow in his father's and uncle's footsteps and play major college football. His preference is to play for Fresno State, but Ruckman is open to playing for any school around California.

D'Agostino said Ruckman should land offers from four-year universities following the season. 

"He's going to end up a scholarship player," D'Agostino said. "And he's going to make someone very happy. He's a fantastic kid."