17 universities across the country have recruited and officially offered MaxPreps All-American defender Josiah Molden, junior, a position on their football teams. With his first offer arriving in eighth grade, Josiah is familiar with the recruitment process, and the journey it takes to reach the next level. 

His family is a big part of that and has directly influenced and helped him throughout his middle and high school career, particularly during his recruitment. 

Football is believed to be a family affair for the Moldens, as two of his brothers have played beyond high school, as well as his father who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL). His brother Elijah Molden is currently a player for the Los Angeles Chargers, varying in positions in the secondary. Within his family, Josiah finds appreciation for each person and what they specifically do to benefit his football career. 

“[My family] has impacted me greatly. Just my mom making me food, coming back home, and having dinner ready is amazing. But my dad being a coach is another big thing,” Josiah said. “And then my mom with the whole recruiting process, because she’s already been through it with Elijah. So that’s extremely helpful.”

Originally, Josiah had a plan set by his family to start football in middle school rather than earlier. But that was ultimately decided against. 

“I was just watching my brother and my dad [play football] on TV. I was getting jealous because I wasn’t really supposed to start football until sixth grade. I kept on begging my mom over and over again, and she eventually allowed me to play way earlier,” Josiah said. 

Defense has always been Josiah’s strong suit, mainly playing cornerback, but this season for the first time in his high school career, Josiah is seeing both sides of the field, now as a wide receiver. 

“Last year I decided to stay on the defensive side which was a little selfish of me, but it’s definitely changed how I play,” Josiah said. “Being on both sides is way more tiring, and was kind of challenging for me during spring ball and then fall camp, but now I’m used to it. Now it’s so fun. I never get off the field.”

His position isn’t the only change the high school program has made this season. With the graduation of the class of 2025, new leaders have to step up and take control of the team. Following that, Josiah believes there seems to be a new feel for this team specifically. 

“This season definitely has a lot more chemistry, because last year we had some team captains and some kids didn’t really know each other, and well, it was still super fun,” Josiah said. “But it’s not the same as this year. The chemistry is through the roof.”

One thing that hasn’t changed is the coaching staff for the high school, as Coach Jon Eagle is in his fifth and final year of coaching the Lions, and similarly the rest of the coaching staff are veterans when it comes to both coaching the high school and football as a whole. 

“[The West Linn program] has helped a lot of us. The culture is like a family, and we have the best coaching staff in probably the Pacific Northwest,” Josiah said. “We have NFL dudes. My dad included. Coach Newman and a bunch of other guys. So they’ve really helped me along the way.”

With a family full of football players, Josiah is not short on advice when it comes to the game, and seeks it out from his brothers, even with Elijah down in California. 

“They’ve helped me a lot. Not only Elijah, but Isaiah too, because he played at Western Oregon [University]. With Elijah we would always always go workout. If I asked him, ‘Do you want to workout?’ we would,” Josiah said. “My dad used to always do group workouts at the beach and all these other things. But it’s so easy, if I have a problem on the field, I just FaceTime him once he’s done with camp, and he can just help me out. So that’s a very big bonus for me.”

Josiah is ranked nineteenth in the nation for cornerbacks in the class of 2027 and ranked first in Oregon according to 247 Sports. His recruitment started early at a young age, and is still in its heavy stages. 

“[My recruiting process] started in eighth grade. That’s when I got my first offer from [University of] Oregon, and then other schools, like [University of] Washington, Oregon State [University], then after I went to a bunch of camps and things like that,” Josiah said. 

Since then, the number of offers have continued to grow, as well as the location distribution from offering schools across the country. Currently Josiah is narrowing down his college options, and visiting some possible future schools.

“I wouldn’t say I’m down to committing, but down to getting it to maybe 10 or 20 schools, but lots of communication,” Josiah said. “The next steps are actually going to the games. I have them set up, like the [University of] Notre Dame game vs Texas A&M [University] and a bunch of other games. So I’ll be going there, talking with coaches I haven’t seen before. Kind of just getting the feel for schools that I haven’t gone to.”

While football is the reason for the attention by colleges, Josiah wants to be sure in the school he chooses for reasons not related to football. 

“One of the biggest things is the culture. I don’t want to go to a college where I just play football,” Josiah said. “If I were to get hurt, then I would want to be able to do something else. So I feel like that’s one of the big things.”

Looking to the near future, Josiah has one goal in mind that pertains to the team. 

“Obviously, win the [championship] (chip) again,” Josiah said. “Go back to back.”

Last season Josiah earned first team all state as well as first team All Three Rivers League (TRL). He has also been named a Max Preps All-American twice. But when it comes to his high school career, Josiah wants to earn the highest award a high school athlete can achieve: Gatorade Player of the Year (GPOY). He also hopes to leave a legacy. 

“I want to be one of the best players to ever play at West Linn. That’s what I want to put in this high school when I leave,” Josiah said. “I am trying to get Gatorade Player of the Year twice, this year and next year.”

West Linn has eight total awards spread between five athletes that have earned GPOY. The Lions have notability as a program, and Josiah recognizes that. Growing up through West Linn based programs, Josiah believes playing for the school is not a thing to be ignored. 

“[Representing West Linn] means a lot especially because my brother played here too. I feel like there’s a type of legacy I kind of build off of,” Josiah said. “We have the best student section. We play some pretty good teams. And we won the chip last year, so we got a big target on our backs.”

As Josiah is just starting to explore new campuses, he still has lots of time to make a decision regarding his future football career. For now, Josiah will be representing the Lions as they make their way through the 2025 season.