Stockton native signed by Washington

STOCKTON – Tony Rodriguez has done his best to keep football simple.

That’s how he delivered a San Joaquin County single-season record 48 touchdown passes as a Brookside Christian junior. And, in that same season, how he transitioned from practicing on the Knights’ small grass field adjacent to the school, to playing in a state championship game.

“Some people look at it as pressure. Some people look at it as (a game),” said Rodriguez, who identifies with the latter. “Whether it’s five people watching you or (thousands) of people watching you.”

Rodriguez brought that mentality with him, and after firing 18 touchdowns as a sophomore at City College of San Francisco, he’s signed with Washington of the Pac-12 Conference.

“That was always the dream,” said Rodriguez, who was born and raised in Stockton. “I always wanted to play Pac-12 football.”

Rodriguez took over Brookside Christian’s starting job as a sophomore in 2009, throwing for 2,244 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. His accuracy improved, as he threw six interceptions the following season, to go with 3,472 yards. Brookside Christian lost to La Jolla-The Bishop’s School in the state final, but Rodriguez still managed two touchdowns.

At CCSF, Rodriguez was a backup as a freshman, throwing 19 passes total. As a sophomore, Rodriguez was at the helm, completing 59 percent of his passes for 2,382 yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions.

While in the Bay Area, Rodriguez quickly developed his mechanics and psychological approach.

“Going there was a lot of mental preparation. They’ve got a lot of offensive smarts there,” said Rodriguez, 20, who plans to focus on early childhood and family studies at Washington. “… The competition was definitely better there. Everyone’s better.”

Rodriguez spoke to Florida A&M and Rhode Island after the season, but nothing came of it. Around Easter, he got in contact with Washington, which was enticed by his accuracy and decision-making, he said.

“We’re really happy that we were able to find Tony,” Huskies coach Chris Petersen said in a statement from the school. “He’ll add an immediate boost to the competition at the quarterback position this fall.”

The competition promises to be difficult. Rodriguez’s 48 touchdown passes tie for 28th-best all-time in California, but incoming Washington freshman Jake Browning of Folsom threw a state-record 91 touchdowns last fall and holds the national career record with 229.

Rodriguez said his impression is every quarterback brought in has an opportunity.

“As of right now, they say it’s an open competition,” Rodriguez said. “I plan on going in to compete right away.”