National high school powerhouse Mater Dei of Santa Ana held its first football practice of the season Monday.
Camp Monarch, they call it, according to the school’s website.
Some three thousand miles away, in waters around Miami, five-star wide receiver Jurrion Dickey was proudly showing Twitter followers another fish he’d caught.
Last month, it was reported that Dickey, the nation’s No. 2-rated high school receiver, was transferring to Mater Dei after the Bay Area News Group broke the news that the University of Oregon commit had left Valley Christian.
Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson denied that the receiver had enrolled at his school, telling the Orange County Register’s Dan Albano in a text that it was “fake news.”
Even with that denial, it seemed plausible that Dickey could have ended up at Mater Dei, which has gotten its fair share of high-profile transfers through the years.
Now?
Well, it’s anyone’s guess where Dickey will play in the fall.
A source close to Dickey told the Bay Area News Group on Monday night that the receiver is not going to Mater Dei and plans to attend a public school, perhaps in the Bay Area.
The source also said Dickey remains committed to the University of Oregon despite spending the past few days fishing in Miami.
Dickey, an avid fisherman, keeps piling up college offer after offer. He reportedly visited the University of Miami, now led by former Oregon coach Mario Cristobal, and his Instagram Story featured photos with the mayors of Miami and Coral Gables.
The trip to Miami sparked speculation that Dickey might end up at IMG Academy or another South Florida high school this fall.
If Dickey ends up at a Bay Area public school this fall for his senior year of high school, a possible destination for the East Palo Alto native would be nearby Menlo-Atherton.
The Bay Area News Group reached out to Dickey on Monday to clarify reports about him transferring to Mater Dei.
He did not respond.
He also did not immediately respond to another message Tuesday morning asking to confirm that he is not going to Mater Dei.
Whoever lands Dickey this fall will get one big catch.
Last fall, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound standout led the Central Coast Section among stats reported to MaxPreps with 78 receptions for 1,304 yards and 19 touchdowns. Dickey also intercepted four passes, returning one for a TD, and scored three TDs on kick returns. He received first-team all-Bay Area News Group honors.
Dickey had played on varsity at Valley Christian since his freshman year.
Emphasizing the player’s talent, one coach from Valley Christian’s league said after last season, “Wish he was a senior.”
Coming next week
The Bay Area News Group’s high school football preview package will start to roll out Monday. If you have not already, please subscribe.
Succa was heavy😂 pic.twitter.com/uTRsWSIKTV
— Jurrion Dickey (@JurrionDickey) July 30, 2022
Peacock bass with monster mike!!! pic.twitter.com/tA9VOneK6K
— Jurrion Dickey (@JurrionDickey) August 1, 2022
