Birmingham football's Ronnell Hewitt transfers to Westlake
One of the Los Angeles City Section's top football players is on the move.
Birmingham Charter running back Ronnell Hewitt has transferred to Westlake High, Birmingham coach Jim Rose confirmed with SBLive Friday night.
It's the second major player Birmingham has seen leave this off-season. Junior quarterback Kingston Tisdell transferred to Inglewood High in early January.
Hewitt was one of the section's to sophomores and primed to be on the shortlist for the City Section Player of the Year award as a junior after rushing for 1,438 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He amassed more than 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Hewitt was a key contributor to the Patriots' fourth straight Open Division City title this past fall. Birmingham reached the CIF State Division 3AA final and lost to Acalanes 35-23 at Saddleback College.
Westlake went 3-8 last season, but included the early dismissal of coach Mark Serve. The Warriors are under new leadership after hiring Jesse Craven.
Westlake hires Jesse Craven as new football coach
Craven was hired in December after leading Burroughs/Burbank to a nine-win season and a Pacific League title in 2023.