College Football:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Wherever Drew Merrill plays, his teams do nothing but win football games.

Merrill played in the defensive backfield for two years at Ayala High School, and he spent the last two seasons making history at Citrus College.

Over that stretch, the Bulldogs and Owls went a combined 35-4.

Merrill is an overachiever both on and off the field.

And because of his character, work ethic, skills, selflessness and intellect, Drew Merrill has earned the right to announce that he will be continuing his football and academic careers at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.

The Cardinals are a D-1 FBS program that competes in the Southland Conference.

In 2023, UIW went 9-2 overall, and 6-1 in conference games.

The Cardinals play their home games at the Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium, which seats 6,000 people.

In fact, Merrill just literally checked in today (Sunday, Jan. 21).

Merrill played for AJ Gracia at Ayala in 2020 and 2021.

In the COVID-shortened spring season, the Bulldogs went 5-0 overall and 2-0 in league games.

It was his senior year at AHS that Merrill did his best work.

Merrill carried the ball 11 times for 121 yards and one TD.

He also caught 11 passes for 162 yards and two scores.

But it was his role on defense that helped the Bulldogs go 9-2, including a 3-0 run to a Mountain West League championship.

The AHS defense allowed just 14 points per game.

Merrill finished with 48 tackles (six for-loss) and one interception.

His next venture was Citrus College.

One of Merrill’s coaches at Ayala (Derek Calderon) had played for the Owls and Drew said he heard nothing but great things about their young coach, Brandon Hayashi.

There is no way that Merrill could have possibly known just how special the next two years in Glendora would be.

In 2022, a tight-knit roster and coaching staff banded together and completed the first 11-0 season in program history.

Each and every Saturday in the fall, the Owls continued to earn the respect of their opponents and grew closer together as a unit.

Citrus finished with an American Metro Conference championship, and a 31-20 postseason victory at Mt. San Jacinto in week 11 secured an American Division title.

Merrill had 31 tackles (fourth best) and his three picks were second to Jonathan Calderon, who had six.

This past season, Citrus went 8-3, and finished third in a much tougher National Central Conference behind Mt. SAC and Golden West.

But the Owls finished strong, winning three in a row and five of their last six.

It all ended with a 42-13 victory over Canyons in a Western State Bowl game.

Merrill again was fourth in tackles with 35, and his three interceptions tied Fred Martin and Leonard Adams for the team lead.

In all, the Owls won 19 of their 22 games with #22 on the field.

And the icing on that 86-percent winning ratio cake at Citrus was the fact that Merrill got to do it with his buddy and teammate at Ayala, Chandler Carthan.

Carthan put together one of the most impressive defensive efforts in recent memory.

In 2023, Carthan’s 131 tackles were 80 more than Hunter Corbin, who was second with 51.

Carthan also did the punting for the Owls.

As mentioned earlier, Merrill works hard in everything he does.

At Ayala, he boasted a 3.8 GPA, and he finished with a 3.7 at Citrus College.

Merrill wants to major in Business and to one day work with a professional sports franchise, and he’s open to doing so in a number of roles.

Lastly, I asked Merrill to answer the following: Do you prefer to play on the offensive or defensive side of the ball? Was it a letdown to start your college career at the JC level? What was your favorite memory at Ayala and Citrus? When did he realize Citrus could have an undefeated run, what was your role in their success, and what does he admire about his parents?

Said Drew Merrill: “I’ve always been a defensive guy. It’s the physical part of hitting people and playing on instinct. I always wanted to play D-1 football, but I didn’t put my head down and pout that I had to play JuCo. I knew about Citrus, and I also knew the Urena brothers from Chino Hills, so I felt comfortable going there. I love the coaches at both Ayala and Citrus. They pushed us to be the best people, students and players that we could be, and in that order. I could tell early on that we had something special in 2022. We even did our breaks in the fall camp to “championship,” as opposed to Citrus or whatever. My job was to make plays when they came my way. I felt like my size and strength was doubted by our opponents, and I’ve always enjoyed proving people wrong.

The atmosphere at Ayala and Citrus is that of a family, and I think that breeds success and wanting to play for each other, and not just ourselves. I loved playing with Chandler, and I’ve been lucky enough to do so since youth ball. It helps so much when you can trust the other players on the field. My favorite memory at Ayala was beating Chino Hills each time, and at Citrus, it was making history with my boys and our coaches in that 11-0 season.  I also want to thank all of my teammates and coaches, because I wouldn’t have this opportunity without each of them. My mom and dad (Jennifer and Darren Merrill) have shown me unconditional love and yet neither is shy to tell me what I need to hear as opposed to what I want to hear. My mom has always supported me in good times and bad, and she’s done so in sports and my personal life. She has an incredible work ethic. My dad is someone I got my competitiveness from. He is competitive in everything he does, and I’m very similar in wanting to win everything I compete in. He’s always been there for me as well, and he gives the best advice.”

Of all that Drew Merrill has accomplished thus far, consider one crazy fact: This kid doesn’t even turn 20 until February the 24th.

To the University of the Incarnate Word, you are getting one of our area’s quality athletes, but more importantly, you’re getting a great young man.

To view a photo gallery of Merrill, click on the Facebook link here: Facebook

One of Merrill’s highlights had to be blocking a Glendale punt, scooping it up and bringing it back for a TD in a game that secured the American Metro Conference title.

 

Quotable:

Citrus coach, Brandon Hayashi: “There’s a lot to say about Drew Merrill. He’s a warrior, a leader, the epitome of a student-athlete and a high-character young man. He’s been great academically. He’s never missed a training session or a practice. It’s been great to get to know him and build a relationship these past two years. Each year he grew, he led by example and led verbally year in and year out. He held himself and his teammates accountable for the standard set. I’m extremely excited to see all his hard work pay off, and I’m even more excited to see him excel at the next level.”

Ayala coach, AJ Gracia: “Drew Merrill could have played and excelled in any era of football. He possesses an athletic skill set, toughness, competitiveness, and intelligence that will make him a fantastic college football player. He was an all-league player and a Bulldog of the Year winner here at Ayala. He is the type of player you want to coach. He comes from a great family. I am proud to have been his coach, and I can’t wait to see what he does these next couple of years.”

Ayala & Citrus teammate, Chandler Carthan: “I would describe Drew and an underrated DB that will give you 110% on the field and even more in the classroom. He is a phenomenal player that give his all no matter the score. Incarnate Word is lucky to have him and he will exceed their expectations.
He is also an excellent leader, who is always the first to congratulate and celebrate others.”

Citrus teammate, Jesse Carmona: “Drew is the key example of what you want in a player, teammate, and leader on the football field. He is well respected by coaches and players. When he’s on the field, his presence is always known and he’s a big time playmaker when you need it most. Incarnate Word got themselves a steal with Drew, and I know he’s going to turn plenty of heads out there as he did in his two years with Citrus.”

Ayala Records w/Drew Merrill:
2019: 11-1 overall, 5-0 in league
2020: 5-0, 2-0
Totals: 16-1, 7-0

Citrus Records w/Drew Merrill:
2022: 11-0 overall, 5-0 in conference
2023: 8-3, 4-3
Totals: 19-3, 9-3

Merrill’s Career Stats at Citrus:
2023: 35 tackles (fourth), three picks (tied for best with Fred Martin and Leonard Adams)
2022: 31 tackles (fourth), three picks (second to Jonathan Calderon’s six INT’s)
Totals: 66 tackles and six interceptions

Merrill’s Stats at Ayala:
2021: 11 carries for 121 yards & one TD; 11 catches for 162 & two TD’s; 48 tackles (six for-loss) & one INT
2020: stats not posted for COVID-shortened season