Team Makasi helps turn Washington State commit’s dream into reality
SAN DIEGO (BVM) – Joshua Meredith was committed to play football at Fresno State for all of about four months. The Mater Dei High School senior — who previously starred for Valhalla High School – picked up offers from the Bulldogs, New Mexico State, Idaho, UNLV and others after a sparkling junior campaign. But Meredith said that Washington State University was the go-to place that he and his mentor thought fit best from the jump.
That mentor is Coach V (Verlain Betofe) of Team Makasi, whose mission is “to mentor and empower the youth for the purpose of maximizing athletic and academic achievement.” The result has been a myriad of elite high school football players from the San Diego area earning Division I scholarships, and Meredith is no exception.
“Team Makasi is the reason I’m playing Division I college football,” Meredith said. “Team Makasi helps kids like myself get their dreams to become reality. Coach V has stuck with me for two years now and nothing but benefits have come out of it.”
Meredith committed to Washington State in December and the Cougars are getting an electric wide receiver with the ability to break open a game at any moment.
The first play of Meredith’s junior season highlight tape showcases his uncanny playmaking ability, as the senior took an end-around and made six defenders miss while slicing through the middle of the field for a touchdown. Every play after that puts Meredith’s versatility on display, running routes and high-pointing the football as a true wide receiver, and even making plays as a running back and safety.
Washington State being Meredith’s only Pac-12 offer made for an easy decision, but so too did the Cougars’ air-raid offensive style.
“Once they (WSU) offered it was almost a no-brainer to go there,” Meredith said. “WSU’s offense loves to sling the rock and that’s what all receivers want. I’m going there as a receiver but I can see myself being put in different positions; I adapt well.”
Just getting to Pullman, though, isn’t enough for Meredith who has lofty goals for during and after his time in the Pac-12. The traits that truly set Meredith apart from other elite playmakers across the country aren’t physical, despite having “the legs of a running back but the upper body of a receiver,” he said.
Instead, it’s the senior’s dedication and fearlessness that he hopes will help him get on the field early at Washington State.
Few Highlights from the weekend. Still need work done… 🤙🏽 @TSCSports @TeamMakasi pic.twitter.com/qlYx6dkrWb
— Joshua Meredith (@JoshMeredith003) October 6, 2020
“I strive to be the best no matter who I’m going against,” Meredith said. “If I’m a freshman amongst seniors, I’m going to try and take their spot. I’m not afraid of any competition.”
The goals Meredith has set for his time in Pullman, both individually and as a team, are simple and concise. The plan is for the Cougars to win their first Pac-12 title since 2002, and for Meredith to become “known as one of the best receivers to ever attend the school” before taking off for the next level.
The competition in the Pac-12, Meredith said, will propel him to that ultimate objective.
“So many great ballers go to Pac-12 schools,” Meredith said. “If I can compete and show out against them, I think it’ll show I can go to the NFL.”
