Key player to watch: Ruiz transformed his body, mind
Corona del Sol’s football team will have a new identity in 2024. After boasting one of the state’s top pass-catching units in 2023, the Aztecs will have more of an emphasis in the trenches and playing smash mouth football. That change comes with heavy turnover with skill position players and growth with returning linemen, head coach Jake Barro says.
However, the Aztecs possess a dark horse on offense that could be an X-factor. And Domonick Ruiz is in position for a breakout season. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound wideout has transformed physically and mentally, and with room to breathe in the receiving room, it’s his time now.
In 2023, Ruiz hauled in 19 catches, managing just shy of 12 yards per reception, and his 223 receiving yards ranked him top15 in state. His bread and butter has been in the slot where he can find the soft spot in the zone and pick up yards after catch. Touches, however, were tough to come by with the Aztecs’ ultra-talented position group.
Raiden Vines-Bright transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fl and Jai Jones transferred to Chandler. Both Crew Swearingen and Zuri Glenn graduated. Ruiz now sits atop, but certainly isn’t alone. At the end of the 2023 season, Jake spoke to Ruiz about his role as a leader both on and off the field. Ruiz has been working relentlessly throughout the offseason, often training twice a day and sticking to a disciplined eating regimen, thanks to his father.
“He [my father] helps me get meal prep. He buys my chicken, rice, vegetables, all that so I can eat well,” Ruiz said. “We research drills. We look on YouTube for drills to do. I look at my college receivers and look at what they do.”
Paired with the weights at home, Ruiz says he and his father have been putting in work to get to the next level. He has gained roughly 15 pounds of lean weight on top of increasing his performance in the weight room.
“Last year I was 170. I’m about 185 now, and I’ve been doing sprints. I’m trying to get faster route running, getting in and out of my brakes.”
Ruiz, who lives close to Marcos de Niza, utilized its amenities for personal training when he’s not training with his teammates. Ruiz wakes up by 6:30 or 7 a.m., he says, and is on the field already warmed up by 7:30. He spends anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes on his own honing on his craft. Using resistance running bands and a parachute for additional resistance, he has increased his breakaway speed. As for agility, Ruiz works with ladders for sharpening his footwork and technique, and cones for breaking routes.
“I got compared to a lot of people – calling me Zuri’s little brother, Raiden’s little brother,” Ruiz said. “My teammates are always nagging, like in a joking way, but I take it as you’re not better than them. I get motivated by that.”
Jake says that Ruiz may be one of the strongest skill players he has had with his three years at Corona. Ruiz has been laser measured at a blistering 4.40 40-yard dash and is a state qualifier in track in the long jump. Ruiz has substantially increased his power as well. His bench press went from “185 or 190” to 225 while his squat jumped from 315 for three reps to 475 for one rep.
“He’s a tremendous athlete,” receivers coach and pass game coordinator Josh Barro said. “We obviously love his speed. He can just jump through the roof. He can take the top off with his speed, and he has incredible hands…I see the most important thing is how he’s grown as a leader.”
Jake described Ruiz as the “quiet, hard-working leader,” but wants to see him step up even more. “I want him to be a little more vocal than what he likes to do – step outside his comfort zone a little bit. He’s gotten a lot better at that, better at being positive, lifting up his teammates.” Ruiz says attacks any drill with full effort and technique to demonstrate proper standards. The same applies to the weight room.
“I make sure people don’t slack off when they’re lifting, make sure everyone’s listening and don’t just joke around and take this seriously,” he said. Josh said Ruiz is one of the best leaders on offense and will likely become a team captain on top of the offenses work horse. “We’re going to have to move him around positions this year,” he said. “Put him in the slot, put him outside, get him carries from the running back position, you know. He’s been willing to do all that and knows he has to understand the whole offense.”
Even with the added weight of embracing leadership of a younger team, Ruiz has high expectations for his senior season. Among those are a 1,000-yard season, first team all-region and to lead the 6A conference in receiving yards. Both Jake and Josh believe Ruiz has what it takes to excel, and it’s time to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
“We’re expecting a lot from him,” Jake said. “As a coaching staff, the team, the school…I believe in him.”
ANDREW LWOWSKI IS THE ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER FOR WRANGLER NEWS. HAVE A STORY IDEA? EMAIL HIM AT ANDREW.LWOWSKI@WRANGLERNEWS.COM OR FOLLOW HIM ON X @ANDREW_LWOWSKI
