Lakers Host JUCO OL On Official Visit
Mercyhurst has been making moves in the trenches all offseason. And, as we’ve pointed out before, they like to look west for JUCO players. They’ve had no problem going to the Golden State before- including this offseason- and they’re still fishing for at least one more lineman.
Navi Arretché, an offensive lineman out of Modesto Junior College, recently took an official visit to Mercyhurst and came away impressed. The Lakers are the first Division I program to offer him, and while Arretché has drawn interest from UC Davis and made an unofficial stop at UCLA, Mercyhurst brought him on campus to show him what life on Lake Erie would look like for the young OL.
“Being there just felt comfortable, and that was because of the people,” Arretché said. “Everyone was welcoming. The coaches are also really easy to have a connection with. Talking with Coach Riemedio felt like talking to a father who wanted the best for you, and knows the potential that you have. Coach Waring is also someone who I can tell would do anything for his offensive line. It’s really enjoyable to be around him. He’s also incredibly smart when it comes to offensive line play as well.”
In a recruiting landscape increasingly shaped by NIL- even at the FCS level- it’s refreshing to be reminded that connection still matters. And not just surface-level rapport. Official visits can be a lot of fun, and a lot of times you hear about what campus is like and the activities the recruits got to participate in. What stands out with Navi Arretché isn’t just that he had a good time on his official to Mercyhurst- it’s who he felt that bond with.
When your first Division I offer comes with genuine relationships, and those ties are with the head coach and recruiting coordinator, that’s meaningful. Arretché spoke about Coach Riemedio like a mentor, and had high praise for Coach Waring’s approach to both the person and the position. That kind of alignment doesn’t guarantee a commitment, but it does create staying power, and the Lakers seem poised to be a player moving forward.
And why not? It wouldn’t be the first time a California JUCO product found a home in Erie. The Lakers have had success in that lane before- most notably with Adam Urena- and Arretché could be the next in line. He’s transferring after a true freshman season and should have plenty of eligibility to develop. No commitment yet, but Mercyhurst has clearly set the tone. This is one to monitor.
