It’s a small sample size, yet big enough for Nyziah Hunter to gather the attention of rivals in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The redshirt freshman receiver went into this past weekend’s game at Florida State sharing the ACC lead in receiving touchdowns for Cal with four through their first three games.

Hunter has become the Bears primary target, leading the team in receptions with 14, receiving yards with 202, touchdown catches, as well as points (24).

The Salinas High product had caught at least one touchdown pass in each of Cal’s first three games heading into Saturday’s meeting at Florida State.

Hunter lettered in three sports at Salinas, setting a school record during his junior season in the 100 meters in reaching the state track and field championships.

During his senior season for the Cowboys, Hunter caught 58 passes for nearly 1,100 yards and 16 touchdowns.

A teammate of Hunter’s at Cal is Carmel graduate JT Byrne, who is seeing time as a tight end when the offense goes to a two-tight end formation, as well as special teams.

Sergent throwing darts >> Grant Sergent has yet to throw an interception in 55 attempts this fall for the University of San Diego football team, which is off to a surprising 2-0 start.

The Palma product is completing 62 percent of his passes, throwing for 383 yards and three touchdowns.

The Herald’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2018, the graduate student threw for a career-high 893 yards and seven touchdowns last fall in five games before suffering a season-ending injury.

Sergent, who didn’t throw a pass until his third season at San Diego, has thrown for 1,327 yards and 11 touchdowns in just nine career games.

As a senior at Palma, Sergent threw for 2,218 yards and a school record 27 touchdown passes, with just two picks in 232 attempts in leading them to a league title.

A teammate at Sergent’s at San Diego is former Palma quarterback Thomas Nunes, who is listed as a defensive back.

Carmel grad Oscar Weigel is a reserve offensive lineman for the Toreros, while another Padre alum Lucas Govan, is the program’s tight end/tackles coach.

Avalos making an impact >> Salinas native and San Jose Earthquakes Academy defender Lorenzo Avalos has started three matches this fall for the Villanova soccer team.

A true freshman, Avalos logged a season-high 90 minutes in the Wildcats’ recent match against Fairleigh Dickinson University, having appeared in four of the team’s six matches.

Avalos recorded an assist in his first college match for Villanova against Temple. He’s averaging 78 minutes a match on the pitch.

The 6-foot Avalos brings size, speed and leadership qualities to the Wildcats’ attack, having spent six seasons with the Earthquakes Academy, serving as a team captain.

Stevenson alum gets first interception >> Getting acclimated to the defensive side of the football has had its growing pains for the fastest 100-meter runner in Monterey County history.

While his speed and offensive numbers as a football player at Stevenson put Evan Johnson on the radar, the redshirt sophomore is finding his niche at Brigham Young University as a defensive back.

Johnson collected his first collegiate interception last week in the Cougars win over Wyoming. In three games, the 20-year-old is sixth on the team in tackles with eight — six solo.

The Herald’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2022, Johnson earned all-county honors in football and basketball, finishing with nearly 800 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in six games at Stevenson.

A Central Coast Section champion in the 100 and 200, Johnson finished fourth at the state track and field championships in the 100 meters (10.41 seconds), while moonlighting as a left fielder for the playoff-bound Pirates baseball team.

Weimer getting acclimated >> While he waited a year to find a new home to prolong his college football career, Jeff Weimer’s patience had been rewarded.

Landing at Idaho State, the 6-foot-2 receiver has become a viable No. 2 target, as he’s second on the team in receptions (12), yards (142) and touchdowns (two) through three games.

A one-time Salinas High and Hartnell College target, Weimer spent a season at City College of San Francisco and UNLV before entering the portal in 2023.

Weimer is coming off his best game for Idaho State with a team-high six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns against North Dakota.

Over the course of two junior college seasons, Weimer caught 153 passes for nearly 2,300 yards and 28 touchdowns. He was a part of Salinas’ 2017 Central Coast Section Division I title team.

A teammate of Weimer’s at Idaho State is two-time Herald All-County football and basketball standout Messiah Johnson, who is a reserve offensive lineman.

Weimer’s younger brother Ricky, is a reserve linebacker for Colorado Mesa.

Nominations for MPC’s Distinguished Awards wanted >> Nominations for the Lobo Legends Celebration are now being accepted for the awards event, which will be held March 15.

The event will honor achievements from Monterey Peninsula College alumni, retirees and rising stars, who have made a significant contribution to the college and the broader community.

There are four categories for the awards event — distinguished alumni and alumni athletes, along with newly added distinguished retiree and rising star class.

Nomination forms are available on the MPC Foundation website.

Seaside’s Finest >> Seaside’s Finest is holding fall basketball workouts for boys and girls Mondays and Wednesdays at MPC. The program is designed to prepare athletes for the upcoming basketball season. Also offered will be speed and strength workouts. Contact Jason Hieb at 831-915-5362 or http://seasidesfinest.leagueapps.com

Coaches needed >> Marina is looking for a varsity boys volleyball coach, and a varsity baseball coach. Go to www.edjoin.org/MPUSD.

Soledad is looking for a boys and girls wrestling coach. Contact athletic director Nick Twitchell at aztecathletics@soledad.k.12.ca