Jenkins Elite Player Spotlight Episode Two: Alex Padilla

The Cherry Creek Bruins walloped the visiting Chaparral Wolverines football team by a count of 49-7 in Thursday night’s non-league outing. After recovering a Chap fumble on the kickoff the Bruins strike quick with Jenkins Elite quarterback, Alex Padilla, to wide receiver Marcus Miller with a touchdown pass putting Creek at 7-0 with 11:39 left in the first. The Wolverines’ night was all downhill from there.

It all started 6 years ago in the summer of 2013. Alex Padilla came to Jenkins Elite looking to set a high goal for himself, and that was to become a Division 1 quarterback. Since then Alex has developed into just that.

“From the start, he was a beast, he could always spin it. He was super underutilized on his 8th-grade youth team. Alex was one of those kids that you knew that had talent and everyone had heard about him because of all the stuff he was capable of doing at camps, but the team did not know how to use him to the best of his abilities.” Tim Jenkins

Fast forwarding to freshman year at Cherry Creek High School Alex was able to get some varsity reps which was a huge accomplishment considering everything he had been working towards. He was able to compete in five varsity games with a total of four passing touchdowns and 456 yards. Later in the season, Alex was able to come in during the semifinal playoff game against Valor Christian where they ended up losing 20-10. Padilla performed incredibly well for his age and that loss fueled his fire for the next three years as a Bruin.

Unfortunately, a torn ligament in his right thumb put a halt on Alex’s plans to come back and dominate during his Sophomore year. Alex focused his attention on training and recovery which lead to a break out junior year. Padilla led the Bruins 9-3 overall and undefeated 5-0 in league play during his Junior campaign, earning himself a second run at playoffs. Alex led the Bruins deep into the playoffs again but was stopped short against Eaglecrest in the quarterfinals. During that season Alex threw for a total of  2,678 yards, with 182 completions out of 269 attempts which were followed by 40 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing to cap off his Junior season.

With an impressive season behind him and as time continued on, patience was starting to wear thin with the thought of college offers on the horizon. Early into the second semester of his Junior year, Alex received his first offer from Central Michigan University.

“I remember the first offer Alex got and how overdue it felt like for him as a player. Seeing him develop since the 7th grade watching over the years how much work he has put in and then it finally comes full circle for him was very gratifying for me.” Tim Jenkins

After that first offer, the floodgates opened up for Alex, pulling in 14 total offers with 5 of those being Ivy League.

Seven months later, on August 1st of 2018, Alex made the dream become a reality when he committed to the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.

“I could not be more thrilled for him and Iowa, I think it is a perfect fit. I think offensively they have a lot of similarities with Creek, he is gonna get in there and play early. Alex is everything you want in a quarterback as a coach and, he is everything you want as a teammate and a leader.” Coach Tim Jenkins

COMMITTED #SWARM19 pic.twitter.com/ffWIPFMirV

— Alex Padilla (@APadilla_8) June 14, 2018

With the thrill of commitment behind him, Alex looked forward to his final season as a Bruin, walking into his home of four years at the Stutler Bowl. Padilla held his own Thursday night. The senior came into the game with eight touchdowns to no interceptions, with 61 completions. In his fifth start of the season, he dominated, completing 14 of 17 pass attempts for 209 yards with a total of five touchdowns for the night.

With the win, Cherry Creek upgrades its record to 5-0 on the season. The Bruins host Overland High School going into week 6 on Friday, September 28th. The Overland Trailblazers are walking into this away game with a 1-4 record coming off a tough 58-18 loss from Fountain-Fort Carson.