Ouachita Christian Wide Receiver & Air Force Commit Tristan Wiley Flies High In Eagles’ Aerial Attack
by Jace LeJeune
Last year, St. Thomas More High School Wide Receiver Jack Bech took off as one of the biggest recruiting gems in the state of Louisiana. This year, another long, physical, and speedy wide receiver that plays for a Louisiana High School football powerhouse has also taken off as one of the best receivers at his position in the state of Louisiana, and he is Ouachita Christian High School senior wide receiver Tristan Wiley.
Last season, Wiley was an All-State wide receiver for the Ouachita Christian Eagles leading the team to its second straight state championship game appearance with 853 receiving yards and seven touchdowns catches. He along with his quarterback Hunter Herring made one of the best QB-WR tandems in the state over that period of time, which included a state championship win back in 2019. For Wiley, winning a state championship as a sophomore was an incredible experience that he will not forget the rest of his life.
“Winning a state championship was my greatest accomplishment because my teammates are my best friends and they will remember that feeling forever,” Wiley said.
The 6’3, 190 pound receiver is looking to add another state championship ring to his collection after losing last season to Calvary Baptist Academy in the Division IV State Championship, but he will have to do so with a brand new quarterback in Landon Graves as Herring has graduated and is now playing the UL Ragin’ Cajuns.
“I feel I have gotten a lot better from last year to this year and something that helps a lot is we throw the ball a lot more this year,” Wiley said. “Hunter’s biggest strength was running the ball, but Landon’s biggest strength is throwing the ball down the field. Both can run and pass very good, but their strengths are different.”
The Eagles were able to use Graves’ skills to their advantage and because of that, Wiley is not only more of a threat in the passing game, but the team is also 6-0. Despite the 6-0 start and being one of the state’s leading receivers with 603 yards and 11 touchdowns, he knows that both he as well as the rest of the team can improve on specific areas.
“I think that we have started off great, but we need to be more consistent on offense,” Wiley said. “We have to cut down on the penalties and we will be fine. We can’t be satisfied with what has happened this year. We have to go out and get better every day.”
Wiley has received a lot of awards and recognitions over his career including being on the front cover of Louisiana Football Magazine at the beginning of the year, but that doesn’t stop him from continuing to work on his strengths and improving on his weaknesses.
“My biggest strengths are my speed and route running,” Wiley said. “I need to improve on playing the ball in the air.”
Not only has the media taken notice of his abilities, but DI schools have noticed too including Air Force. In fact, Wiley is committed to the Falcons football program after receiving an offer.
“The coaches are great people,” Wiley said. “The facilities are unbelievable and there are a lot of benefits after college. Also, Colorado is just a really cool place to be.”
Wiley is looking forward traveling to Colorado in about a month to see his future team take on Army, but now, he is going to enjoy the rest of his senior season playing for the Eagles and for Coach Steven Fitzhugh.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Wiley said. “It is definitely the best thing that has happened to me. It’s a great feeling knowing we are never out of a game and every year competing for a state championship.”
For the rest of the season, Wiley is going to help his team anyway he can while proving that he is one of the best players in the state.
“I think I’ve always felt that way, but all I can do is go out and take it one play at a time and help my team win games, but I’m thankful for everything that has happened so far.”
As far as Tristan Wiley is catching the passes, the Eagles could be flying high again at another state championship run.
Click the link below to check out Tristan Wiley’s junior highlights:
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11020484/5ff2eb50b3d27c0a1cce6f38
We have exciting news that for the 25th year, we will release our Louisiana Football Magazine preview editions. Also, for the fifth straight year, we will have our North and South LA issues and both are now available to pre-order! Both issues will continue to cover all the Louisiana colleges as well as all the high schools in state, but there will be eight pages that will focus on North Louisiana as well as South Louisiana. Along with our print editions of both magazine issues, our digital magazine editions will also be available to pre-order. Just like with our print versions, our digital editions will be available to you when both magazines are available.
For more information, please check the following link to where you can either order our print or digital version of the magazine of your choice. Also, below are the two covers as well as where you can order both magazines on our website.
Buy Print/Digital Magazine Here: https://www.lafootballmagazine.com/2021-magazines/
North Cover South Cover
Jace is from Addis, LA but resides in Port Allen, LA. Jace has graduated recently from Southeastern Louisiana University with a major in Communications. Jace has also broadcasted games as a play by play announcer for Southeastern’s football and basketball games on ESPN Plus. Also, Jace has anchored and reported on Southeastern’s award winning show “The Big Game.” Finally, Jace has been hired to be the Voice of The Episcopal Knights for Varsity Sports Network. This is Jace’s fifth year as Associate Editor at Louisiana Football Magazine. He is also a graduate from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge where he was the editor of the school newspaper the “Bearly Published.” While at CHS, Jace also announced their football, basketball, and baseball games for the Bruin Broadcast Network which is the Catholic High’s streaming website for their events. On weekends, Jace is the PA announcer for his middle school football games. At home, Jace enjoys time with his family and friends. Besides being a huge football fan, Jace is also an avid NHRA drag racing fan.
