Miles Booth, who grew up in Santa Monica and played football at Malibu High the last three years, has signed a letter of intent with the Air Force Academy.
Booth is 6-1, 180 and was recruited as a wide receiver, although he also plays safety and returns kicks.
“I considered other schools, but when the Air Force Academy showed an interest I knew I’d be going there,” he said. “I want to play in the NFL, but I also have an ambition to be a fighter pilot.”
He signed on Wednesday, February 7, the first day of the national signing period and was the only member of Malibu High’s team to do so.
“We had a young team this season and most of the players are coming back,” he said.
Booth is in a mentoring program conducted by former Stanford football captain Eliel Swinton. Numerous Santa Monica High players are in the program, including running back Lewis Adeyemi, who signed with Villanova.
“I’ve known Lewis since we were six years old,” said Booth. “We went to grammar school together and Lincoln Middle School. We’re both happy the way our recruiting turned out.”
Ironically, both players were in automobile accidents and had to miss four games of their senior season. But Booth gave recruiters plenty of opportunity to evaluate him in the other games.
He had six receptions against both Fillmore and Bishop Diego and in his final game, a 21-20 loss to Desert Christian, he had two touchdown receptions and another called back because of a penalty.
Booth said he learned to budget his time as he lived in Santa Monica yet traveled to school in Malibu each day.
“It usually took about 40 minutes to get there,” he said. “There were classes, then football practice, which lasted until 6. With traffic, I didn’t get home most nights until 7, and then there was homework.”
Swinton is proud of all his pupils and has a lot of praise for Booth.
“He worked hard, very hard, and deserves a lot of credit,” said Swinton. “He certainly has earned his place in college.”
The Air Force Academy has had a run-oriented offense and a lot of success in the recent past. Booth expects the offense to remain the same but perhaps with a little more passing. A promising quarterback from Westlake High is in the recruiting class.
