Kakitsuka to play football at HSU

Track plays a key part in  being noticed

Brandon Kakitsuka of Del Norte High last fall. Kakitsuka, a three-sport star with Del Norte, has been offered a roster spot with the HSU football team.The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

Kakitsuka, the standout slot receiver for Del Norte High School last football season, was offered a roster spot at Humboldt State University in Arcata by head coach Rob Smith.

“I’m grateful for the chance and I’m ready to start playing,” Kakitsuka said. “For them to offer me a roster spot is flattering.”

The Lumberjacks were the team he had set his sights on and wanted to play for the most, but it appeared they were not interested.

When he received no word from them as spring moved along, he planned to attend College of the Redwoods in Eureka and play football on the junior college level. 

While he will still have to earn a scholarship, Kakitsuka is happy to have the opportunity to prove himself on the football field. He said that he will work hard and hopefully contribute to his new team.

“I’m going to work at getting bigger, faster and stronger,” he said.

He will likely be redshirted next season but will have a clearer idea once he attends fall camp, Kakitsuka said.

Smith told Kakitsuka that he had watched him run track for Del Norte this spring and liked his size and speed.

“I think it definitely helped” get noticed, Kakitsuka said.

Smith was at the track meets because he has a daughter who runs track.

Kakitsuka said HSU has always been on the top of his list because of the quality of the football program and it being so close to home. He is excited that this will give his family and friends a chance to see him play on a regular basis.

“It’s just awesome,” he said.

A 5-foot 11-inch, 180-pound slot receiver, Kakitsuka had around 1,000 receiving yards with 11 touchdown catches for Del Norte last fall.

He was known for his elusive speed and earning key yards after catches. He received Big 3 Conference offensive MVP honors in 2010.

Ray Rook, the head football coach at Del Norte, is ecstatic to have Kakitsuka moving on to the next level and believes he has what it takes to succeed.

“I’m excited he’s gotten the opportunity to go to a good program,” Rook said.

Kakitsuka is not just an excellent football player, but a quality person who strives to succeed both on and off the field, Rook said.

“He will be committed to that program,” he said.

The Lumberjacks finished last season 8-3 and play in NCAA Division II.

This past season, Kakitsuka was named to the 2010 Cal-Hi Sports all-state football team.  He was named to the second team offense in the small schools division. Cal-Hi Sports has been ranking California football teams for more than 30 years.

Reach Bill Choy at bchoy@

triplicate.com.Divsion II

This past seasom Kakitsuka was named to the 2010 Cal-Hi Sports all-state football team.  He was named to the second team offense in the small schools division. Cal-Hi Sports has been ranking California football teams for more than 30 years.