Yelm’s versatile Ronquillo leaps on offer, commits to Portland State

Jon Manley

They say sometimes that when you know, you know. That was the case for Yelm High School star football player Kyler Ronquillo, who committed to Portland State on Wednesday after taking an official visit to the school Tuesday and Wednesday. The school offered Ronquillo about a month after Yelm’s football season in the fall.

“They were hot on recruiting me,” Ronquillo said. “We had a lot of good conversations. After the official visit, I saw all I needed to.”

Those talks with Vikings offensive coordinator Skyler Fulton included how Portland State — which went 5-6 last season and posted a 4-4 mark in the Big Sky — plans to utilize the versatile Ronquillo in its offense.

“Definitely having all the coaches there that I enjoy being around,” Ronquillo said was a factor in his commitment. “Their offensive gameplan is appealing to me. They throw the ball a lot, the slot is a huge factor in their offense.”

Yelm wide receiver Kyler Ronquillo lays out for a catch during Saturday afternoon’s 3A football state playoff game against the Seattle Prep Panthers at Yelm High School in Yelm, Washington, on Nov. 13, 2021. Yelm won the game, 52-28.
Yelm wide receiver Kyler Ronquillo lays out for a catch during Saturday afternoon’s 3A football state playoff game against the Seattle Prep Panthers at Yelm High School in Yelm, Washington, on Nov. 13, 2021. Yelm won the game, 52-28.

Ronquillo, the two-time reigning 3A South Sound Conference MVP, was a first-team selection to The News Tribune’s 2021 All-Area team last fall in his junior season. On defense, he had four interceptions, including a pick-six and 41 tackles. A constant threat to take it the house on any play, Ronquillo caught 69 passes for 775 yards and six touchdowns; he rushed 18 times for 68 yards and a touchdown and had 337 return yards and two return touchdowns. He racked up 1,190 all-purpose yards.

Despite all that production, Ronquillo’s recruitment has been relatively quiet, with Portland State being the first to offer. At 5-foot-10, Ronquillo is undersized, in the eyes of some recruiters. That being said, he only needed one offer to come his way, and he’s happy it was Portland State.

“I’m happy with where I’m at right now,” he said. “I’m focused on having a great senior season and winning a state championship. The recruiting aspect is mainly out of my control.”

Yelm wide receiver Kyler Ronquillo pulls in a pass in front of River Ridge defensive back Jerrell Larkins during Friday night’s high school football game at South Sound Stadium in Lacey, Washington, on Sept. 24, 2021.
Yelm wide receiver Kyler Ronquillo pulls in a pass in front of River Ridge defensive back Jerrell Larkins during Friday night’s high school football game at South Sound Stadium in Lacey, Washington, on Sept. 24, 2021.

The Tornados should be a factor once again in Class 3A. Yelm advanced to the 3A state tournament quarterfinals a season ago, before losing 39-21 to Marysville-Pilchuck and an explosive Tomahawks’ rushing attack. Yelm returns several of its stars, including Ronquillo and junior linebacker Brayden Platt, who holds a host of Power-Five offers. Linebacker Ray Wright, the 3A SSC defensive MVP, also returns.

“It’s a main priority of mine to keep working hard, making a name for Yelm,” Ronquillo said. “Everyone in our program is working to improve how other people see us as well. We’re going to have another loaded class next year. We’re just playing like underdogs 24/7.”

Ronquillo will team up with another Thurston County preps star. Olympia High School quarterback Gabe Downing also recently committed to Portland State. Downing, who was a first-team selection to The Olympian’s All-Area team in the fall, threw for 2,024 yards and 22 touchdowns for the Bears. Ronquillo said he’s spent time catching passes from Downing at various camps over the years.

“We already have timing and the connection down,” Ronquillo said.

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