Riverside City College kicker Tyler Rausa attempting a kick against El Camino College on October 13th. (Photo by Luis Solis)

By James Williams

Riverside City College freshman kicker Tyler Rausa received a scholarship offer from Boise State University during the season and has already committed to attend.

Tyler believes head coach Tom Craft has played a role in his scholarship offer.

“Coach Craft has put in good words…has kept me in check this year and staying focused,” Tyler said.

Tyler will travel to Boise State to continue his academic and athletics career on Jan. 11 following the fall semester at RCC.

After graduating from Vista Murrieta High School, RCC was not the first option for Tyler to continue his academic and athletics career.

“I was supposed to go to the University of Nevada-Reno, but there were problems with the school,” Tyler said. “I could not get admitted.”

After not being admitted, Tyler explored his option and decided to attend RCC and join its football program. Tyler is thankful for the opportunity to join RCC after not being able to attend college in Nevada.

“Coach (Darrin) Chiaverini has really looked out for me,” Tyler said. “(Chiaverini) helped me out recruiting wise and helped me become a better player.”

Tyler has found success with every football program he was a part of.

Prior to attending RCC, Tyler was a kicker for the Vista Murrieta football team that went on to win the CIF title in 2011.

Tyler has set numerous county and state records and has been recognized as one of the best kickers in the state.

Tyler was selected to the All Southwestern League, All-County, All-CIF, and All-Southern Section honors as a kicker during his senior year.

He was also named the Los Angeles Times California special teams MVP, All-State and Maxpreps All-American.

Tyler has had the support from his family throughout his career, when he began playing football his freshman year.

His brother, Stephen Rausa, was on the sidelines for his older brother’s final game at RCC when the team played against LA Harbor on Nov. 17.

“It is something that people do not take advantage of,” Tyler said. “I have always been close to my brothers, so having them there is a blessing.”

Tyler’s father, Steve Rausa, is the Dean of Students and one of the coaches on the football staff at Vista Murrieta.

“I noticed at an early age how Tyler liked to compete,” Steve said. “Being the middle of three boys, he made everything he did a competition and he wanted to be the best at whatever he did.”

During high school, Tyler was a three year starter on the varsity football team and a team captain on the undefeated CIF championship team in 2011.

He finished his career as the holder for all Vista Murrieta kicking records.

Vista Murrieta head football coach Eric Peterson had the confidence in him when he took the field in high school.

“We always knew that when we got the ball inside the 35, we had points, then a touchback,” Peterson said. “We always had the advantage when it came to field position because of what Tyler did for us.”

Craft and the Tigers had the same confidence in Tyler, as the Tigers sent him to kick the game winning field goal in overtime against Citrus College on Oct. 20.

“(Tyler is a) great teammate, who worked hard every day as one of the best kickers in junior college,” RCC tight end Gus Penning said. “He gave us a larger range to score points than most of the teams we played.”

Tigers offensive line coach Daniel Lynds called the Tigers’ kicker an absolute difference maker on the field.

“The combination of power and accuracy is not something that you find very often,” Lynds added.

This article was also featured on Scout.com