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| Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna |
Cali Gold Mine highlighted some of the top Central Section prospects getting attention in the 2014 class. Now it's time to see which 2015 and 2016 guys could get more colleges flocking to the Central Valley.
One is a defensive tackle who's nearly at 20 offers, another is from a notable football family tree and there's also a big target from Mission Oak-Tulare who could make Hawk fans forget about Kevin Palma.
Here's some notable 2015 and 2016 Valley kids to watch out for, beginning with 2015:
JACOB DANIEL, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, CLOVIS NORTH
* This 6-foot-5, 300-pound mountain hasn't been to his Senior prom yet. We don't even know if he's done his drivers test through the Department of Motor Vehicles and here he is sitting on nearly 20 scholarship offers. Wisconsin, Iowa, Miami, Alabama, Oklahoma and Fresno State are some of the names already after this high-motor run stopper who already looks like an NFL lineman. His strength makes him a blocking nightmare, even against double teams. He could end up either being the most highly recruited defensive lineman in California or perhaps the nation for 2015.
More on Daniel:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1635634/jacob-daniel
TYLER HORTON, WIDE RECEIVER/DEFENSIVE BACK/RETURN MAN, EDISON
* Horton (top photo) is part of the Johnny Sears and Cliff Harris family tree, since he's the young cousin of both former Central Valley sensations. Horton looks like he's going to be one of the next highly recruited Tigers with his off-season work. He's damaged cornerbacks in one-on-one coverage with out-jumping defenders for the ball. He's shown off a nice pair of hands and excellent foot separation to get open. He's also lined up at quarterback during the wildcat and can become a long run threat. Defensively, he's got long arms and cover speed to hang with wide receivers. He's grabbed the attention of Oklahoma so far.
More on Horton:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1427184/tyler-horton
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| Contributed |
SAVION SIMMS, ATHLETE, CENTRAL
* Simms (photo) has the potential to become one of the fastest players in the Central Section this season and next. He's a deadly straight line runner who can leave a trail of dust as an X wide receiver. He became a valuable deep threat at Passing Down's Nor Cal Regional in Livermore last March. He's also shown skills as a cover cornerback who can stick to receivers and track the football. When he has the ball in his hands, he's a threat to score six points on offense and defense.
More on Simms:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1754595/savion-simms
JOVONTE PAGE, DEFENSIVE BACK, CENTRAL
* Page is another Central star in the making in the Grizzlies' secondary. He's shown versatility by bouncing between safety and cornerback. As a safety, he's shown to have good angle pursuits to the football and snatching the ball for interceptions. However, I've actually been more impressed with his ability to play cornerback, since he has long arms, upper body strength and plays with a mean streak. Defensive back coach and the D.B. guru Tony Perry just might use Page in a variety of ways in the Grizzlies secondary.
XAVIER HAMILTON, LINEBACKER, EDISON
* Already the Most Valuable Player at the National Underclassmen Combine in Farmersville in March, Hamilton is carving a name for himself before he plays varsity football. Hamilton attacks openings through the middle of the offense efficiently on run plays. He's also an effective blitzer. What makes him intriguing, though, is his long arms. He'll need to work on his speed, but he'll form a nice linebacker tandem at Edison with the next prospect we're mentioning.
More on Hamilton:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK5AGbH9bDM
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| Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna |
VANCE SAMS, LINEBACKER, EDISON
* The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Sams, who received a previous
CGM profile, just flat out makes plays. He'll stuff the run, go sideline-to-sideline and, he'll disrupt passing plays with a break up or interception, an area he's improved on this summer. He's already had Clemson and USC show interest.
More on Sams:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/750631/vance-sams
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| Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna |
A.J GREELEY, ATHLETE, EDISON
* Greeley was looking like the clear cut starter in replacing Arizona commit Khari McGee at quarterback. However, the 5-foot-11 Greeley is explosive enough to be utilized in a variety of ways. He's returned kicks and played wide receiver. He may have a future, though, as a cornerback because of coverage skills. Greeley is just like any other Edison DB - he'll jam at the line then shadow wide receivers. Right now, he's a better press corner. But he's got good closing pursuits on screen passes. Arizona State is his lone offer right now.
More on Greeley:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/914258/aj-greeley
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| Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna |
RICKY MCCOY, TIGHT END, BULLARD
* McCoy is considered a raw prospect, because this season will be his first as a tight end after being an offensive tackle. He's marketed himself as a tight end, though, at different tournaments. He's already shown some notable skills like becoming a red zone target, out-jumping defenders for the football and showing soft hands. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound McCoy is capable of being a red zone match up nightmare. He does show that he's still learning tight end, since he has a tendency to not complete his routes and lacks overall speed. However, with continued development, he'll potentially become one of the most sought-after tight ends in the state and perhaps convince the always run-oriented Bullard High to open up the passing game.
J.C. ROBLES, QUARTERBACK, EL DIAMANTE-VISALIA
* Robles has been on a tear during the summer months at 7-on-7 tournaments. He's impressed with his rocket arm and field vision. However, at 6-foot-5 and built like a college basketball small forward, Robles has stunning mobility for a tall guy. He's almost Colin Kaepernick-like with his running ability and can throw on the run. El Diamante traditionally has been run-heavy, but the Miners may be convinced to open the playbook up for Robles. This could be the most highly-recruited quarterback in the Central Section for 2015.
More on Robles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVLsnL2Btb8
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| Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna |
HAYDEN HAUPT, LINEBACKER, CLOVIS NORTH
* Haupt emerged as one of the best pass rushers on the Broncos. His first step is explosive and can get around blockers. He's got an excellent frame on him too at 6-foot-1 and 195-pounds. If he can improve his pass coverage, he could be a complete linebacker. So far, USC and Colorado have shown interest.
More on Haupt:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/454333/hayden-haupt
BOLU OLURUNFUNMI, RUNNING BACK, CLOVIS NORTH
* A tough, physical, 5-foot-10, 205-pound back, Olurunfunmi provided a solid change-of-pace back for head coach Cory Hall and the reigning Central Section Division-I champions. He's tough to bring down and is a determined runner. Washington and San Jose State are two schools showing interest.
More on Olurunfunmi:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/450003/highlights
RUSSELL MCCLUNG, WIDE RECEIVER/CORNERBACK, BUCHANAN
* The Bears won't have the electric Billy East for this upcoming season, since East will now play for Azusa Pacific. However, McClung helps ease that loss. He's had a huge summer with showing off his routes and breakout speed. He's already running in the 4.5 40-yard dash range and won several one-on-one match ups at different tournaments. Expect him to get the ball a lot at Buchanan.
More on McClung:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1811400/russell-mcclung
LOGAN MCQUAY, QUARTERBACK, BUCHANAN
* McQuay has plenty of potential, especially if new head coach Mike Jacot opens the offense up. McQuay already has one speedy weapon at his arsenal with McClung. On his end, he's shown a strong pump fake and is an effective play action quarterback. He's also got mobility in him too and can roll out. He'll need to continue to build on his decision making, plus he'll need bulk down the road. But McQuay is capable of being a good one in the Clovis region this season and next.
More on McQuay:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1771774/logan-mcquay
LEANDRE JEFFERSON, ATHLETE, MISSION OAK-TULARE
* The football and basketball star has had a productive summer, with impressing coaches at the BYU camp as a cover corner and being a huge playmaker at wide receiver at different tournaments. At 6-foot-2 and nearly 185-pounds, Jefferson is already a mismatch against many cornerbacks. His second gear when running, though, makes him a potential breakout star. He could be the next highly recruited Mission Oak player, since the Hawks already produced Stanford commit Kevin Palma.
More on Jefferson:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1297290/leandre-jefferson
ANTHONY MARISCAL, RUNNING BACK/SLOT/CORNERBACK, LIBERTY-BAKERSFIELD
* An electrifying back down in Kern County, Mariscal is one of the most elusive runners in the Central Section. When he sees daylight, not too many defenders were fortunate enough to catch up to him. He's deadly on counter and fly sweep plays and has to be one of the best at making cut backs. So far, Boise State, Colorado and Colorado State have either shown interest or visited him at Liberty.
More on Mariscal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0KBOhU7nnI
WADE WALLACE, ATHLETE, LIBERTY-MADERA
* Wallace is another speedy back who can fake out defenders. Also, at 5-foot-9, 175-pounds, he's pretty powerful and can break through arm tackles. Though he's utilized more as a running back, he does have versatility and can catch passes. He's a touchdown machine in the Madera area.
More on Wallace:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/658037/wade-wallace
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| Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna |
GREG QUEZADA, RUNNING BACK/LINEBACKER, REEDLEY
* Most of these running backs on the list are elusive ones. Quezada, however, is more of a north-south grinder. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Quezada is a throwback runner who punishes through arm tackles and drags defenders with him. He doesn't stop his feet after contact is made. If you love power backs, you'll probably love Quezada. He's already had this
CGM feature.
More on Quezada:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1750211/greg-quezada
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| Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna |
DAVID BECKENHAUER, RUNNING BACK/CORNERBACK, IMMANUEL-REEDLEY
* He was the smallest defender last season for Immanuel at 5-foot-7, but Beckenhauer had six interceptions to lead the team. He's also showcased more of his skills at different camps with his closing speed, instincts and soft hands. Beckenhauer has improved his speed and has shown to blanket wide receivers. He's not much of a press cornerback right now, but he's got two more years to develop that trait. He's also a baseball star at Immanuel. His big plays helped key Immanuel's turnaround last season.
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| Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna |
BEAU HATCH, WIDE RECEIVER/CORNERBACK, IMMANUEL-REEDLEY
* Hatch is a taller defensive option at 6-foot-2. His coverage skills and speed have been impressive this summer. He'll need muscle, but his tall frame, long arms, and instincts can help form a nice and underrated secondary tandem with Beckenhauer. He's also a solid return man for the Eagles.
More on Hatch:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1754990/beau-hatch
2016 PROSPECTS
CODY KING, LINEBACKER, IMMANUEL
* King was pulled up to varsity as a freshman and led the team in tackles. His main strength is clogging up inside gaps and stuffing the run.
CALEB KELLY, TIGHT END, CLOVIS WEST
* Kelly looks like a grown man at 6-foot-2 and a chiseled 170-pounds. He's been productive at summer camps with his separation from defenders and ability to make the sideline grab. He's another capable red zone match up problem.
DARIAN OWENS, WIDE RECEIVER, CLOVIS WEST
* He's a dangerous straight line runner and a deep threat. He's also shown good body control on catches and has spent most of his summer training with former Clovis West and Sacramento State wide receiver Elon Paige.
ROMELLO HARRIS, RUNNING BACK, TULARE UNION
* Rare that a freshman gets a starting running back job at traditional Central Section powerhouse Tulare Union, but Harris was good enough to play on varsity. He's a tall and elusive back at 6-foot-1, 185-pounds. He led the team in rushing with 947 yards and 14 touchdowns.
More on Harris:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2108668/romello-harris
