Tolleson quarterback-wide receiver duo reconnects to spark the team’s success
November 14, 2025 by Celeste Rivas, Arizona State University
Celeste Rivas is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Tolleson Union High School for AZPreps365.com
TOLLESON — From seventh grade in Seattle to senior year in Arizona, Youngmin Lee and Rico Blassingame reunited when they transferred to Tolleson Union High School for better recruitment opportunities.
When quarterback Lee and wide receiver Blassingame stepped on the Tolleson football field together last summer, it was not the first time they shared the turf.
They met almost six years ago when they played on the same 7-on-7 team in Washington.
Blassingame was familiar with Chris Young, a former Tolleson coach who was also from Washington. After observing the team’s winning season, his family decided to move to Arizona right before his freshman year so he could play for Tolleson.
“Arizona has a lot more opportunities to play at that next level,” the Division 1 Minnesota State commit said. “My parents wanted me to have a better opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Lee stayed at Mercer Island High School in Seattle for three more years, where he led his team through a 9-1 season his junior year.
Regardless of the team’s victorious season, Lee struggled to get college attention.
“A lot of kids get recruited here more than in Seattle,” Lee said. “Trying to expose myself and just playing better competition is what led me to Arizona.”
It didn’t hurt that his old teammate was also playing at Tolleson.
“I knew Rico was here and the coaching staff he had behind him,” Lee said. “Rico’s like a brother to me.”
The friendship that started in Seattle and has been years in the making has become a “special connection,” Wellbrock said.
“We connected right away,” Lee said. “He’s just family to me.”
Last year, Tolleson suffered a 1-9 season.
This past season, Lee and Blassingame led Tolleson to a 6-0 season start, something the West Valley has not seen from the Wolverines since 1984.
“That’s just the result of the hard work we put in as a team altogether,” Lee said. “Coach Wellbrock did a really good job trying to connect this team and put up the winning season again.”
Blassingame said that Wellbrock approached the season as if he were running a college program.
Wellbrock said that “allows them to be themselves yet in a structured environment.”
“The guys that are going on to play at the next level are going to understand what it’s like, and it really helps them as they move on with their playing careers,” Wellbrock said.
Blassingame said that apart from the team’s dedication, he also credits their success to the love and support they received from students, teachers, and the community.
This season, Blassingame compiled 1,001 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns, averaged 100.1 yards per game, and ranked No. 10 in the state for most receiving yards.
Lee threw for a total of 2,253 yards and 24 touchdowns, putting him at No. 9 in 5A conference for most passing yards.
Wellbrock said Lee’s contagious personality and performance was what the team needed, especially after last season’s record.
“We’ve struggled at the quarterback position for three years, and now it’s good to see him [Blassingame] get that fourth year with a really good quarterback,” Wellbrock said.
Wellbrock recalled how Lee brought positive energy to the field, which was something that everyone played off of.
“When he came in, everyone’s demeanor changed,” Blassingame said. “His leadership and talent really pushed that out of everybody.”
Lee has been in the process of communicating with colleges and working with Wellbrock to get recruited.
“Wherever I end up, I know I’m going to work for it,” Lee said.
Lee and Blassingame agreed that they make each other better athletes, and that trust is what fuels their electric chemistry on and off the field.
Sources
Richard Wellbrock
Rico Blassingame
Youngmin Lee
