Editor’s note: Hawthorne edge/outside linebacker Jailen Ruth wrote the following first-person story to preview his college decision.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Ruth had 94 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, forced seven fumbles and two interceptions in 2022, when he helped Hawthorne win the Class 1R state championship. Ruth finished his four-year varsity career with 322 tackles, 84 tackles for loss, 49 sacks, 13 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries in 37 games.

There were two things I really wanted to do in high school. I wanted to sign to go play college football and I always wanted to bring back a state championship to Hawthorne.

It feels great that I’m going to do both. It’s a relief just knowing that I did something for the community and the town of Hawthorne and do something that other people couldn’t do. I couldn’t get it done without them though.

Winning a state championship was great. It took a minute to sink it. I think now it’s finally hitting me. After the game, I had so many emotions. It was like, “We really won a state championship? It really surprised me, but I knew we could get it done.”

 I think signing will be a pretty good comparison to that.

It’s kind of a bit of a relief because it took a lot to get to this point. It took a whole lot of stress off me but I believe I made the right decision.

Here are my three finalists.

USF

I basically like that it’s not too far from home. They have a good head coach that just came there. I believe it’s a program that can get turned around.

Vanderbilt

I love the coaches and how they recruited me this whole time. I love where its located. The campus is set up perfectly for me and the players made me feel like I was home.

Washington State

I love everything about Washington State. The coaches, players, everybody makes me feel like I’m. I like how it’s a small college town. I like the program overall.

Where is home?

Tune in tomorrow to find out.