Murrieta Valleys Vincent Shields moves to O-line

Fifth in a sequence of tales profiling top high college soccer gamers by place. Today, Vincent Shields, Murrieta Valley offensive lineman.

For those who love canine, offensive sort out Vincent Shields of Murrieta Valley High wants to be on your must-invite listing. His mom and father run a canine training business. There are 5 canine residing at their home. All the feminine canine are named after Disney characters. Vincent swears canine may be educated to do something, like open the fridge.

He just acquired a golden retriever pet named Nala, the spouse of Simba from “The Lion King.” The query is will Shields practice her to rush the passer so he can observe his blocking techniques against somebody with agility and a starvation to do something for biscuits?

“That would be a good challenge,” he said.

The soccer journey of the 6-foot-6, 285-pound junior includes a change of positions, a change in eating habits and a recognition he has discovered his calling.

“He’s a freak athlete,” former Murrieta Valley offensive line coach Alex Rosenblum said. “That kid has had an amazing offseason.”

By the end of the summer time, Shields was nearing 20 scholarship gives after just one season as an offensive lineman. That’s what occurs when faculty recruiters uncover somebody with measurement, good footwork and the flexibility to improve.

He began at proper sort out last season for a college that has been producing excellent linemen.

“We love to run the ball,” Shields said.

He was a defensive end as a freshman before Rosenblum satisfied him to change into a blocker. It opened a path that Shields has embraced.

“He told me at the end of my freshman year, ‘You’re going to start and if you make a mistake, it’s OK. Everything is a learning experience.’ I made mistakes and he was supportive,” Shields said.

He has been receiving personal instruction to perceive his position of blocking particular defenders and adjusting when linebackers blitz. All that was thrown at him as a sophomore, so it was no shock he had some offside penalties. A 12 months later, there’s no telling how dominant he can change into.

“It takes a different person to play O-line,” he said. “It’s violent and that takes a special person. Not everyone is meant for the mental part and physical part. Are you going to take another man against his will and drive him down the field?”

Murrieta Valley offensive sort out Vincent Shields, heart, does workouts during observe.

(Sandy Huffaker / For The Times)

Shields said he has been taking part in sort out soccer since he was 11. He was primarily a linebacker to take benefit of his athleticism. Then he began to grow and eat and eat.

Those had been the times he cherished French fries, chips, hamburgers and something fried. He once ordered three 4×4 burgers from In-N-Out, which is 4 beef patties and 4 slices of cheese. He used to order from Chick-fil-A two chicken sandwiches, 4 chicken strips and 10 chicken nuggets.

Then he discovered about nutrition and decisions. He’s been eating steak and grilled chicken recently.

“I’ve done a good job shedding the bad weight,” he said.

His father, a former Marine, likes to cook, so everyone seems to be watching Shields’ eating habits. He’s 17 with an urge for food like a canine.

And talking of canine, the household has Shields’ golden retriever, a Rottweiler named Fancy, a giant schnauzer named Goose and two Belgian Malinois named Hero and Baymax.

That’s enough canine to type a beginning offensive line. But one of them has to beat out Shields, who intends to trigger a complete lot of hassle blocking opponents over the next two seasons.

“I can’t wait,” he said. “You’re going to see a jump and a lot of people are going to wonder how it happened.”

Sunday: Godschoice Eboigbodin, JSerra defensive lineman

Offensive linemen to watch

Austin Attalah, Orange Lutheran, 6-8, 270, Jr.: His measurement alone makes him a can’t-miss prospect

Amaziah Siale, Mission Viejo, 6-7, 360, Sr.: Louisiana State commit can take on sumo wrestlers

Lance Ciechanowski, Sierra Canyon, 6-6, 275, Jr.: Let’s see who will get by him on move performs

Drew Fielder, Servite, 6-6, 270, Sr.: USC commit is a former tight end who ought to dominate

Jackson Hill, Chaminade, 6-6, 300, Sr.: Notre Dame commit retains getting larger and stronger

Vincent Shields, Murrieta Valley, 6-6, 285, Jr.: Moves to left sort out as his blocking expertise progress quickly

Lex Mailangi, Mater Dei, 6-3, 350, Sr.: Oregon commit was a much-desired faculty recruit

Elisha Mueller, St. John Bosco, 6-4, 295, Jr.: Braves’ best blocker since Wyatt Davis

Lucas Rhoa, Orange Lutheran, 6-5, 305, Sr.: Texas commit has been a standout since his sophomore 12 months

Jack Schein, JSerra, 6-6, 290, Sr.: Colorado State commit comes from a program that develops linemen