Cats open at #13 in the country
Saddleback starts the season on August 29 against Pasadena City
The Saddleback football team has earned a lot of respect during the offseason for its ability to get guys to the four-year level. The Bobcats have now landed high praise from the folks in charge of national rankings, opening the season in the top 15 in the country.
JCGridiron.com came out with its first set of national rankings on July 4, with the JCGridiron Dirty 30 Preseason Rankings. The Bobcats were ranked No. 13 overall and No. 6 among 3C2A (California) programs. Additionally, they were third among programs from Southern California.
Saddleback has a lot of shoes to fill as the program had 36 players (29 D1) commit to four-year schools this offseason, including 19 freshmen that were expected to play a pivotal role.
"The coaches did an outstanding job at getting guys ready to transfer," head coach Jeff Fischer said. "That's our job!"
With all the departures, coach Fischer has big expectations for the new crop of players heading to Mission Viejo this fall.
"We're excited to see what we can come up with," Fischer said. "There is some talent running around out there. Now we have to get them all on the same page."
Saddleback finished 10-2 in 2025, making it to the Southern California Regional Finals and a final ranking of No. 5 in the JCGridiron Dirty 30 Rankings.
Saddleback opens the 2026 campaign at home against Pasadena City College (PCC) on August 29 (6:00 PM). PCC is listed as a team on the bubble of the Dirty 30 Rankings.