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Future Sooner Gavin Sawchuk is ready for the playoffs
Credit: BVM Sports/Valor Christian High School

Future Sooner Gavin Sawchuk is ready for the playoffs

LITTLETON, Colo. — Valor Christian running back Gavin Sawchuk may have committed to the Oklahoma Sooners this past June, but that didn’t stop him from leading his team to an undefeated season and a first-round bye in the Colorado 5A state playoffs. The four-star running back is ranked the 109th best player, and seventh best at his position in the country, according to 247sports. 

With credible rankings on hand, Sawchuk ran for 233 yards and scored three touchdowns in the regular-season finale against the previously one-loss ThunderRidge Grizzlies. How does he produce on a nightly basis? According to David Visser, Gavin has elite traits that help him stand out in a crowd. 

“The first thing I notice when watching Sawchuk’s film is how easily it comes for him,” Visser said in an article on NoleGameday. “This is a running back who upshifts incredibly effortlessly, making defenders look like they’re pursuing him through quicksand. Sawchuk’s patience is reminiscent of Le’Veon Bell, while his jump-cuts and subsequent acceleration remind one of Dalvin Cook. He possesses not only the ability to burst through the first two levels of a defense, but also the flat-line speed to outrun the opposing secondary, while seemingly on cruise control.” 

Those are strong comparisons for a young man in his senior season of prep football, but if you are to ask his trainer, Jermaine Stafford, it’s the stuff he does off the football field that makes him really special. 

“The thing about Gavin that always turned my head was when I coached last year, we couldn’t go to the locker room so kids were getting changed outside,” Stafford recalled in an article with the Denver Post. “And to see him always being the last person picking up everything, here’s a five-star football player, but he stays back, picking up trash and just giving his (time), because he’s just an uncommon young man.” 

Humility and awareness are great traits to share. When compounded with patience and agility on the football field, that offers the makings of an elite prospect. His football coach Donnie Yantis offered some further insight into Gavin’s leadership. 

“He’s the last guy off the field, picking up the field, every night, for two years, making sure everything’s put away right,” Coach Yantis claimed in an article with the Denver Post. “If something happens with discipline issues (regarding a player) … he’ll try to talk to them. He’s a selfless leader. He’s a very humble kid. If you saw him on campus, you wouldn’t know he’s one of the best running backs in the country.” 

Based on those who help Gavin prepare, and scouts in the industry, the Oklahoma Sooners can look forward to a talented and bright young man. In the meantime though, they will join the rest of us in learning how far Gavin can help lead the Valor Christian Eagles in the Colorado 5A playoffs.

This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.