Merced College football standout heading this Midwest college after making choice official
Dasani Tate described his football journey as a long grind.
That grind will continue as the Merced College receiver is headed to McPherson College in Kansas after signing his national letter of intent Monday at Merced College to accept a football scholarship.
Tate was joined by teammates and coaches as he made his college choice official. “This means everything,” Tate said. “Just to continue playing football. It’s a blessing.”
Tate played high school football at Los Banos High where he graduated in 2019 and then spent three years at Merced College with the 2020 season being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, he’s played just about every position.
In high school he started at receiver, moved to quarterback and played defensive back. At Merced College he played his freshman season primarily at defensive back. This past season he moved to receiver and also punted for the Blue Devils.
He’s headed to McPherson as a receiver. “I just love receiver and I feel I have a great feel for it. Everything I do out there just feels right,” he said.
At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Tate is a big target on the outside. “I expect him to do well,” said Merced College coach Justin Pinasco. “Before our season was canceled in 2020 he was practicing at receiver so he’s had two years working on that side of the ball. They’re excited to get a big, tall kid on the outside like him.”
Tate led the Blue Devils this past fall with 38 catches for 569 yards and scored four touchdowns. He won’t be headed to McPherson alone. Blue Devils teammate Daniel Rowlett committed to the Bulldogs earlier.
Tate said the coaching staff from McPherson contacted him early and he felt comfortable with them.
“They showed they wanted me from the start,” Tate said. “They started getting in touch with me in January and they’ve stuck with me ever since.”
Tate says his three years spent at Merced College have prepared him to head off to a four-year school. He wasn’t sure he would have been ready to make that move right out of high school.
“When I first got to Merced (College) I was a young, scared high school boy,” Tate said. “Coming to Merced has changed me and helped make me into a man. I’ve got to thank those two coaches (Bob Casey and Pinasco) for bringing that out of me.”
Tate says he’s ready for the next chapter in his football journey.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “I’m ready to play right now. If I could get going right now I would.”
This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 12:29 PM.
