Senior Keau James Hadley Jr., a linebacker on the Shadow Ridge football team, has decided to commit to Southern Oregon University, recently signing on February 7th, 2024.

SOU commit Hadley Jr. explains, “On my visit at SOU I really bonded and felt comfortable around the coaches. They made me feel very welcome and I felt like I belonged there. When I got back home I realized SOU had everything I wanted in a college.”

Hadley has played football mostly all of his life. He knows what he needs on a football team to further help his career. Having that connection and feeling comfortable around the coaches is huge in any athlete career no matter what age they play the sport at.

Prep Redzone stated, “James’ combination of instincts, power, quickness, and closing speed suggests he has all the tools to be a three-down linebacker in college. [James’] Next level length and strength show stunning blockers with his punch in the run box. Coaches will revisit the tape and love James’ combination of burst and physicality that shows exploding through tackles at the point of attack.”

An article being written about any athlete by the prestigious Prep Redzone is huge for any young athlete’s career. All that praise that is being given to Hadley Jr. is not taken lightly. He had a stellar high school career earning First Team All-State and the Second-Team All- Southern Nevada Honors as a senior.

Las Vegas Review-Journal author Alex Wright states, “Senior linebacker Keau Hadley Jr. had an interception and recovered a fumble off a punt that Shadow Ridge’s offense turned into touchdowns as the No. 6- seeded Mustangs upset No. 3 Arbor View 17-14…The defense picked us up.”

Shadow Ridge coach Travis Foster said, ‘The pick at the beginning of the first series was huge. The muffed punt was big. All around, just a big team win. Hadley was huge, our Player of the Game.’”

Shadow Ridge’s rival school, Arbor View, beat the Mustangs earlier in the season with the Mustangs 28 and the Aggies 45, but when all pressure was on, in the first round of the playoffs, the first drive for the Aggies, Hadley Jr. Picked off Aggie quarterback Sean Griese to set the tone and start the game.

Hadley Jr. stated “My favorite football memory was probably the win against Desert Pines. That game meant a lot for our team because no one thought we’d win that and we proved everyone wrong.”

Some say that Hadley Jr. is all business on the football field. Hadley Jr. loves it when the odds are against him and his team. He had yet to fail to rise to each occasion, Hadley Jr. sealed the game with an interception as the Jaguars were marching down the field with the score 18-21 with 2 minutes to go at their own 25-yard line.

Shadow Ridge coach Brandon Buteyn said, “James was one of the hardest working players in our program and I’m extremely excited for what his future holds. All the offers he received were a testament to his hard work and dedication. His future is extremely bright and I can’t wait to see all he accomplishes at Southern Oregon.”

Hadley Jr. is beyond happy with his decision to go to Southern Oregon University and cannot wait to see what college has to offer him.