This story is part of our coverage of the LA Times 2021 Fall All-Star Football Team. Read the full series here.
There are few things on the football pitch that Arlis Boardingham of Lake Balboa Birmingham High has not mastered. He played catcher, quarterback, tight end, defensive end, linebacker, safety, punter, long snapper and punt and kickoff turner.
As a receiver, his 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame made him difficult for a defenseman to cover. As a linebacker, he used his agility and strength to take out running backs and lead Birmingham to the City Section Open division championship.
For his versatility and stellar game, Boardingham is The Times High School Football of the Year 2021.
He caught 40 passes for 782 yards and 15 touchdowns. He rushed for three touchdowns and returned two punts for a touchdown. He made 61 tackles.
βHe knows he’s good,β said coach Jim Rose.
Boardingham has kept his college plans open while being sued by USC, Texas and Notre Dame, among others. Some schools want him to be a receiver. Some schools want him to be linebacker.
He’ll be training and competing in track and field competitions all spring long, as he only has one goal left on his high school bucket list: to be state champion in the triple jump.
Comments are closed.