LOS ANGELES — He's one of the top wide receivers in the state of California, but Arlis Boardingham is so much more than that for Birmingham Charter High School.

Standing at 6 feet, 5 inches tall, he can play quarterback, and he even punts. Boardingham helped his Patriots win the City Open Championship in 2019 when he could have transferred to a top school in the CIF Southern Section. Instead, he decided to stay put in his neighborhood school in Van Nuys. 

"Getting these offers and getting a chance to compete with the top dogs from all over the country is just a true blessing from God," Boardingham said. "Cause I could have went somewhere else and maybe had a better opportunity, or maybe just bigger clout, which is what a lot of people want or a lot of people see, but that's not my ways. Just thinking about sticking to my roots, starting what I finish."

It's worked out so far. He's been recruited by some of the top college football programs in America, including Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas and USC.

“Getting these offers and getting a chance to compete with the top dogs from all over the country is just a true blessing from God,” Boardingham said.

Birmingham head coach Jim Rose has watched his top wideout grow as a leader and said he will do just fine wherever he decides to play in college.  

"You can tell by the maturity and he's getting a little meaner every week right now in the playoffs and so that tells you, he can play at the next level," the coach said.

But before Boardingham heads off to higher education and a higher level of football, he wants one more title at Birmingham.

"Cherry on top of the cake," he said. "Not only do I want a city championship, it would mean way more, a lot more if I get a state championship too, which I think is very possible this year."