Going undetected? Twenty of Nor Cal's best kept secrets

Photo contributed

As we near the 2013 football season, there's some names floating around that's either landed two offers or is still waiting on scholarship offer No. 1.

Judging by what I've seen out of most of these guys at different tournaments and breaking them down in my film room, it's perplexing the offers haven't piled up for some of these talented ballers. However, this could mean added motivation for these guys to shred the field this fall.

We'll start in the Northern California region and cover the bases of the Bay Area, Sacramento and Stockton regions, as we dug up 20 under the radar prospects who could land more college football love with a huge senior year:

Bay Area

MALIK BEACHUM, ATHLETE, AMERICAN CANYON

* Beachum continues to showcase a scrapper attitude at both wide receiver and defensive back, with his ability to fight off press coverages then press wide receivers on defense. One move Beachum has now developed is a head fake, where he's able to elude his defender then sprint to the end zone.

More on Beachum: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/450304/malik-beachum

JOHN LEWIS III, WIDE RECEIVER, BENECIA

*  Lewis III isn't the fastest runner and he's been caught having a slow get-off from the snap of the ball. However, he shows a second gear with his speed after the catch and is capable of the 20-yard gain. He also shows solid body control and adjustments to the football when making the red zone grab.

More on Lewis III: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2413230/lewis-iii

JACK HENEGHAN, QUARTERBACK, MENLO-ATHERTON

* A tall 6-foot-4, 220-pound pocket passer with a strong arm and good field vision even when facing pressure. Shows solid composure when facing the rush. Still needs to work on his feet when dropping back. But good arm strength.

More on Heneghan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpHiJ1mFhrU

TREVOR BEARDEN, RUNNING BACK, LIVE OAK-MORGAN HILL

* An explosive running back with a 4.46 40-yard dash time and 2,176 rushing yards with 22 touchdowns in 2012, Bearden is an elusive and tough back who can break tackles, then break the long run. He's also a good-sized back at 6-foot-1, 205-pounds. Also plays outside linebacker and closes quick on wide receivers. He can work on being consistent with running at a low center of gravity, since he tends to run standing up. Can also use a stiff arm more often. But he's tough, fast and a play maker at RB.

More on Bearden: http://vimeo.com/55253650

MARCUS DE LA PENA, RUNNING BACK, SAN RAMON VALLEY-DANVILLE

* Another tall and elusive 6-foot-1, 200-pound runner with 1,609 total rushing yards in two seasons at the varsity level. Also shows versatility with 32 receptions out of the backfield for 367-yards and three scores.

HARRIS ROSS, RUNNING BACK, PITTSBURG

* Fast, elusive and powerful. Ross launches through an open hole like a torpedo from a submarine. He's also used an array of moves from the juke, to a spin move and also burying his shoulder and trucking a defender. Sacramento State and Eastern Washington are two offers he has. One notable running back from the Pittsburg area was former Oregon State star Ken Simonton.

More on Ross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7LfnUkGVzY

KEITH BENJAMIN, WIDE RECEIVER, EL CERRITO

* Explosive after the catch at wide receiver. Also an elusive and ankle-breaking play maker in the backfield. Will need to bulk up from his 5-foot-11, 160-pound frame, but capable of being used in a variety of ways.

More on Benjamin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWPUu_GW_s0

KEILAN BENJAMIN, ATHLETE, EL CERRITO

* Shows a quick release and impressive zip at quarterback. Because of size, will likely have to play a different position. He's a dangerous scrambler, though, and can fake defenders on option keepers. That running ability can make him either a running back or wide receiver at the next level.

More on Benjamin:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAQpDou7-j0

JACK ANDERSON, OFFENSIVE TACKLE/DEFENSIVE TACKLE, PALO ALTO

* A feisty 6-foot-5, 255-pound run blocker on offense where most of Palo Alto's running plays go up his side. Defensively, he occupies lots of space and makes inside running difficult for his opponents. Has spent his off-season refining his pass blocking.

More on Anderson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB6Vf9FNABk

 ANDREW FRICK, OUTSIDE LINEBACKER, PALO ALTO

* He attacks gaps like a running back trying to explode through an open hole. Frick is entering the 2013 season as one of the top blitzing linebackers in the Bay Area. He's a 6-foot-1, 210-pound pass-rushing demon off the edge and doesn't stop hustling until the quarterback is on the ground. He's got a strong upper body and does an excellent job extending his hands, then pushing his blocker off of him to halt the play. He's a disruptive force who's drawn Ivy League interest.

More on Frick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGkWX0FUKJU

QUIN MAY, TIGHT END/DEFENSIVE END, NAPA

* Might get more interest as a tight end, since he's got a tall frame on him (6-foot-5, 205-pounds). He's also shown an explosive get-off from the three-point stance and has straight line speed with his 4.88 40-yard dash time. Lastly, he's shown excellent body control on middle grabs. On defense, he's a valuable run stuffer with long arms and a nice explosion off the line.

More on May: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGkWX0FUKJU

Silicon Valley

CHARLES NELSON, GUARD/TACKLE, VALLEY CHRISTIAN-SAN JOSE

* A versatile lineman who's an excellent pass blocker and delivers a viscous pop in the run game, Nelson has solid athleticism but his ability to play more than one line position should intrigue more schools.

More on Nelson:  http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9334265

JOE CASTIGNANI, OUTSIDE LINEBACKER, BELLARMINE PREP-SAN JOSE

* Like Frick, he's another explosive pass rusher who led the team with 12 sacks in 2012. His pass coverage ability, though, impressed spectators at the Passing Down Nor Cal 7-on-7 regional in March. A tall specimen at 6-foot-3, 215-pounds and runs a 4.69 40-yard dash. Sacramento State is his lone offer.

More on Castignani:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUPjtXgpRt4

Sacramento Region

DEVIN JONES, ATHLETE, WOODLAND

* A competitive spirit who shadows and single covers wide receivers all game, then becomes an explosive play maker on swing passes as a wide receiver. One of the best two-way threats in Northern California with one offer from North Dakota.

More on Jones:  http://www.hudl.com/athlete/482599/devin-jones

DE'AUNDRE TERRELL, ATHLETE, PLEASANT GROVE-ELK GROVE

* A multi-talented threat who can hurt teams with his arm, legs and leaping ability. Getting his most looks right now as a potential slot receiver.

More on Terrell:  http://caligoldmine.blogspot.com/2013/04/terrell-pleasant-weapon-at-pleasant.html

Stockton Region

WAYNE BROOKS, QUARTERBACK/DEFENSIVE BACK, STAGG-STOCKTON

* Brooks has a lively arm even at 5-foot-8 and shows off a zip to his throws. However, it's his ability to read the quarterbacks eyes, close in on footballs and become this play making safety that can get schools intrigued.

JAELIN RATLIFF, ATHLETE, ST. MARY'S-STOCKTON

* St. Mary's seems to be always stacked with college football talent and Ratliff continues the lineage. An explosive wide receiver who wins a lot of one-on-one battles thanks to his head fake and speed. Also a deadly kick returner who can fake out defenders with his juke moves. A mismatch for those who try to cover him one-on-one and against those who try to keep him squared up.

More on Ratliff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_UCoqAwfK4

BRYAN PASCUAL, ATHLETE, ST. MARY'S-STOCKTON

* Not the tallest player at 5-foot-9, 165-pounds, but he's another devastating play maker who explodes through the open hole and utilizes his 4.4 40-yard dash. He also has an impressive leap to him and is capable of making the jump ball catch, thanks to his 29 inch vertical jump. One of many players used in a variety of ways at St. Mary's.

More on Pascual:  http://www.hudl.com/athlete/913204/bryan-pascual

KYLE DAWSON, TIGHT END/DEFENSIVE END, ST. MARY'S-STOCKTON

* A hustle player on defense who never stops trying. Dawson is an athletic 6-foot-3, 220-pound defensive end with run-stuffing capabilities.

More on Dawson:  http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1229086/highlights

JAVONTE NORMAN, RUNNING BACK, ST. MARY'S-STOCKTON

* A speedy running back who's at his most dangerous on counter and outside runs. Also, at 5-foot-8 and 158-pounds, he does an excellent job playing hide-and-seek with his blockers, then darting through a hole. Needs bulk, but a touchdown threat every time he touches the ball and reportedly runs a 4.39 40-yard dash time.

More on Norman:  http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1295102/javonte-norman