Folsom Athlete of the Week: Kaleb Higgins accepts scholarship to Cal

Kaleb Higgins solidified his plans past high school when he accepted a scholarship offer last month from the University of Cal Berkeley. Higgins, a junior cornerback at Folsom High, played nine games for the Bulldogs last season, making 22 tackles, four for a loss, intercepting one pass and returning it for a touchdown, defending six passes, causing one fumble and blocking one punt. "Kaleb's commitment to Cal is a direct reflection of how he carries himself on campus," Folsom football coach Paul Doherty said. "He's a young man that takes himself seriously as a football player in every sense of the word, both as a student and athlete. We're incredibly proud of him and looking forward to some great local college football." Folsom Telegraph: What are your hopes/plans for after graduation? Kaleb Higgins: I hope to have a smooth transition into college and be able to settle down to think about what I want to study. FT: What are your thoughts on your scholarship from Cal Berkeley? KH: It's a true blessing. I never thought I'd find a school that checks all the boxes that I had in the recruiting process FT: Any other schools recruiting you? Why did you choose Cal? KH: Yes, I have 13 scholarships to other amazing schools throughout the country. I chose Cal because of its outstanding football program and academics, and I also had felt a great connection with the coaching staff there that I didn't seem to feel at other schools. FT: Do sports run in your family? KH: Yes, my mom and dad both played sports in college, both attended USF, my mom played basketball and my dad football. My brother currently goes to Stanford on a football scholarship, and my younger sister is on track to becoming a volleyball junior Olympian. FT: How long have you been playing football and how did you get your start in it? KH: I started playing football around second grade but kind of fell off and began to play baseball. It wasn't until the fourth grade I began to play again and find a passion for it. FT: Have you ever been involved in other sports? KH: Yes, I've played basketball, baseball, and ran track. FT: What do you like about football? KH: I love football because of the connections that have to be formed to be able to succeed. Football forms camaraderie between people that would probably never be formed. FT: How did you become a cornerback? KH: My older brother always was a receiver and all I ever wanted to do was to defend him and lock him down. FT: What do you like about playing cornerback? KH: I love being able to read a receiver and know what they're doing before it happens. It makes the game seem to slow down and when that happens is seems like there's nothing that can get passed you and the feeling you get in that moment is indescribable. FT: Looking back, how did your first year at Folsom High go both on and off the field? KH: it was an amazing on and off the field. Being able to join a team known for winning and start on that team is a great feeling, and all the guys were very welcoming which helped a lot when getting acclimated. In the classroom, it was just as good. All of my teachers were outstanding and being a football player from Texas sparked a lot of conversions with many classmates. FT: With the pandemic restricting team activities, what are you doing to stay in shape for football? KH: I have been training with a strength and agility trainer every morning during the week. FT: Assuming it will be played, what are your thoughts on the upcoming season? Any idea of how good the team will be? KH: I'm absolutely stoked for next season. The team is coming along incredibly and it has been evident that Coach Doherty has been able to iron out most of the wrinkles we had previously. FT: How is distance learning going? KH: It was a struggle at the beginning as all new things are, but it has gotten easier as I continue through the lessons. FT: What do you miss about school? KH: I miss seeing and talking to friends. I also miss my teachers. FT: What is your favorite class/subject in school? KH: My favorite subject is math; however, with my history teacher Mr. Yoder, I think I'm finding a new love for United States history. FT: Favorite music? KH: I don't really have a favorite genre. I listen to a large amount of different music, but if I'm out with friends, a majority of the time we'll listen to rap and hip-hop. FT: Favorite Food? KH: Oh, I absolutely love lasagna with all my heart. FT: Do you have any pets? Tell us about them. KH: Yes, I have two dogs, both are rescues; one is a boxer pit mix, Tex, and I have a Chihuahua, Mojo. FT: Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time? KH: I like to be outside recently. I've been doing a lot of fishing, hiking and swimming with friends. However, if I'm stuck inside, you'll find me watching Netflix or playing video games. FT: What inspires you in sports? KH: Growing up, I've always wanted to be known by everyone and sports are a way to make that happen. Sports also open many different doors that I would have never known about without it. FT: Is there a particular job or profession you'd like to have after college? KH: I don't really have a specific job in mind, but I have a lot of interest in medical studies and engineering.