After starring on defense, Bishop Amat sophomore Richard Munoz looks to break out at quarterback in 2022

Last fall, Bishop Amat strong safety/nickelback Rich Munoz was one of the top breakout players on defense among sophomores in the Southern Section.

Despite missing three games, he led the 8-4 Mission League powerhouse and Division 2 quarterfinalist with 73 tackles. Munoz also had a blocked field goal against St. John Bosco, and one pick-six on the season. For his efforts, he was the only sophomore to make all-CIFSS in the section's top two divisions, and one of just two sophomores in general. He also made First Team All-Mission League.

But Munoz isn't actually a DB by trade – his primary position throughout his career has been quarterback. And the QB1 job at Bishop Amat is what he has his eyes set on after his breakout season on defense.

Bishop Amat will have "wide open competition at every position, especially at QB," said head coach Steve Hagerty. "We will be very transparent with all the student athletes about where they stand at the end of spring practice. We will do the same at the end of summer, and we will evaluate daily during camp leading up to the first game."

The spot is officially open now with the Lancers losing senior pro-style QB Tobin O'Dell. O'Dell was a three-year starter, and last year he passed for 21 touchdowns to three picks in just nine games with a passer rating above 130. That leaves big shoes to fill, and Munoz is hungry to get the spot.

In addition to playing a key role on defense, Munoz was effectively Bishop Amat's third-string QB last season, getting full reps for a QB in practice. He completed one of three passes for a 14-yard touchdown on the season.

The competition – on a great team with loads of returning talent on offense – is likely to be immense. When O'Dell missed time last season, junior Hunter Watson stepped in and impressive starting two games.

But as Hagerty said, the spot is wide open.

"I'm gonna get a shot this year, I feel like I could take the spot," said Munoz, who made it onto the radar of local scouts after finishing as the runner-up at a St. John Bosco QB Select Camp in 2020.

"I'm going to try to compete and whatever happens happens. If I get it, that's what I want, and if I don't, I'll do whatever I can to help the team."

"Richie is just a real good football player in general," said Hagerty. 

"At QB, he is a leader first and foremost and takes charge of the huddle and commands attention. He is dual threat guy with a strong arm and he is a competitor who wants to win."

"Accuracy and knowledge of system are things he is working on, but knowing Richie, he will get those things down soon."

At nickelback, Munoz is a strong safety/linebacker hybrid who also has to cover at a high level. At 5-10, 185, he has a strong build and low center of gravity, and can bring a unique physical presence at QB as a play-extender in addition to being able to launch downfield. He even got a few reps at running back in the spring season as a freshman.

"I'm just a quarterback who will do anything to win," said Munoz. 

"I'm good at scrambling, I like to run the ball a lot. I'm good when there's pressure or blitzes coming, I can leave the pocket and throw very well. But I can also stay in the pocket."

Munoz said he spends a lot of his time watching film of the NFL's top dual-threat QBs, and DBs as well.

"I study a lot of Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson. Murray is smart and likes to slide, we're about the same height. Lamar Jackson too. On defense, Jamal Adams."

One of his top priorities for both sides of the ball this offseason is improving his top speed.

"Some people look at me like I'm not the fastest, but I like hitting."

What Munoz wants and hopes for the most is to start on both ends. However, he doubts that his coaches would let him keep a big role on defense if he won the QB job because of the wealth of talent in the secondary. As much as he'd rather be under center, he does love playing defense.

Hagerty described Munoz as "tough, aggressive and instinctual on defense. Finds the ball and gets better as the game progresses. He's a playmaker wherever he is on the field."

"I want to go D-1, play football in college, that's for sure," said Munoz. "And I'll do what I can on the field and in the classroom to get a scholarship. These next two years – hopefully at QB – I'll give myself the best opportunity I can."

"This upcoming year, everyone has one mindset, one goal, which is to win a ring," said Munoz. He dreamt of playing football for Bishop Amat long before he got to high school because of its tradition of competing against the best teams in the state.

"This year we know that this is the year. Last year it was tough, we knew we'd play some tough teams ... but this is our year. We're all connected, we're brothers and family, and always got each other's back."