Names from Edison include: Khari McGee (Arizona), Cliff Harris (Oregon), T.J. McDonald (USC/St. Louis Rams), Tevin McDonald (UCLA/Eastern Washington), Courtney Viney (UCLA/New Mexico State), Nat Harrison (Fresno State), Arkelon Hall (Memphis), Brandon Breazell (UCLA) and Ricky Manning (UCLA/NFL veteran).
Central's list also has sprouted since 2008. Names include: Brendan Bigelow (Cal), B.J. Kelley (Oregon), Matt Lea (UNLV), Hatari Byrd (Oklahoma), L.J. Moore (Oklahoma), Johnny Johnson (UCLA), Devon Brewer (Arizona), Shariff Williams (Arizona), Tashon Smallwood (over 10 scholarship offers, former USC commit) and Michiah Quick (over 30 offers, including Alabama and Oregon).
Now, the two schools that's been the big producers of Division I talent will meet at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, in a quarterfinals playoff match up that has the makings of becoming one of the most highly-anticipated showdowns in the Central Section this year.
This game has been dubbed by some as the "DB Guru Bowl," since iconic defensive back coach and current Central assistant Tony Perry has played a huge role with getting prospects from both schools recruited by several D-I schools.
Then again, I've had people tell me that this could pass as the Cali Gold Mine Bowl! Since this game is big on college football talent.
Time to sort through all the college prospects on both squads, beginning first with the 2014 players:
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| Photo courtesy of Rivals!.com |
KEVIN NUTT AND BLAKE WRIGHT, RUNNING BACKS, EDISON
The Nevada commits have given Edison one of the deepest and most talented running back tandems in the state. Nutt (photo) is the long-distance threat with his 4.4 40-yard dash speed and is versatile enough to play cornerback and return kicks. Wright has a college football physique with his powerful 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame and can wear down defenses with his inside running. Wright, though, can also amaze people with his cutback ability and second gear when running the ball.
More on Nutt: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1351610/
More on Wright: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1351610/
YASMON HAYNES, DEFENSIVE LINEMAN, EDISON
A versatile and powerful lineman. Haynes has been a mismatch when someone tries to block him one-on-one, because he's got the quickness and power to blow past blockers. Even though he's also played guard and defensive end, his size and ability to explode through the gaps makes him an intriguing prospect at defensive tackle.
More on Haynes: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1351606/highlights/39859419?autoplay=1
TYRONE SMITH, WIDE RECEIVER, EDISON
A freakish wideout that stands at nearly 6-foot-6 and 185-pounds, Smith makes life difficult for cornerbacks to try and lock up with him. He's not the fastest receiver on the field, but Smith is the one wideout the Tigers want to get the ball to. Look for the football to go his way if Edison is at the Central 20-yard line.
More on Smith: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/1496701/
AARON JOHNSON, SAFETY, EDISON
The 6-foot-0, 170-pound Johnson has emerged as the sledgehammer in the secondary. He's the one providing the big hits for the Tigers. Not the fastest DB (his Hudl account says he runs a 4.9 40-yard dash), but Johnson has the kind of aggression defensive coordinators at the college level can love.
More on Johnson: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/1401921/
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| photo by Chris Martinez |
MICHIAH QUICK, ATHLETE, CENTRAL
One of the most highly recruited players in the state of California, Quick has rapid fire feet and wins numerous one-on-one battles with his speed and separation. He's also got an array of moves at his disposal when he returns kicks. You could be looking at the next DeSean Jackson with Quick.
More on Quick: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/625517/
DEVON BREWER, SAFETY, CENTRAL
Brewer is the hitter and top ball-hawk in a stacked Grizzlies' secondary. The Arizona commit has shown to be the complete package at safety.
More on Brewer: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/596258/
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| Photo courtesy of Central Valley Football |
NICK WILSON, RUNNING BACK, CENTRAL
Wilson, one of three Arizona commits on the Grizzlies, has gone from one-dimensional outside threat to one of the most complete running backs in the state. Wilson's inside running game has almost looked Marshawn Lynch-like - with his ability to bounce off of tacklers and punish defenders with his shoulder. Perhaps his best highlight was when he drove a Clovis High defender nearly five yards into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown this season. A breakaway threat who runs a 4.4 40-yard dash time.
More on Wilson: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/625514/
TASHON SMALLWOOD, DEFENSIVE LINEMAN, CENTRAL
Like Haynes, he's another versatile mismatch for offensive linemen. I've yet to see Smallwood take plays off. He's got a motor on him and an explosion off the ball that got colleges flocking to Central. Smallwood also serves as the team's fullback and is a short yardage/goal line threat. His hand technique has improved from last year and some people have called Smallwood the next Warren Sapp.
More on Smallwood: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/1266414/
TEOFILO FREEMAN JR., SAFETY, CENTRAL
Freeman Jr. has emerged in the Grizzlies' secondary as an excellent box safety. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Freeman can play up to the line of scrimmage and halt running plays. His breakout night came against 2012 Tri-River Athletic Conference champion Clovis High, where Freeman helped crash in on Cougar running plays at the goal line. He plays like an extra linebacker in the secondary.
More on Freeman: http://www.reelrecruits.com/athletes/football/class-of-2014/teofilo-freeman
2015 PROSPECTS
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| Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna/The Reedley Exponent |
TYLER HORTON, ATHLETE, EDISON
Horton has the potential to become next year's Michiah Quick in the Central Valley. The rising junior is another explosive and versatile playmaker with the ball. He's also a typical Edison cornerback: He'll press you at the line, cover you like a blanket, then makes a play on the ball.
More on Horton: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/1427184/
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| Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna/The Reedley Exponent |
A.J. GREELEY, ATHLETE, EDISON
Greeley, a two-year varsity letterman, already holds an Arizona State offer and is another explosive athlete. Like Horton, Greeley could be another highly recruited athlete through the 2015 class. Though he's been an explosive read-option quarterback for the Tigers, his future is at cornerback with his speed, closing pursuits and hands.
More on Greeley: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/914258/
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| Photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna/The Reedley Exponent |
VANCE SAMS AND XAVIER HAMILTON, LINEBACKERS, EDISON
You could be looking at the Central Valley's version of Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs with this Tiger duo. Sams (nicknamed Area 51) has improved his game significantly. Sams (photo) is a tackling machine on the inside and also is one of the best in the Valley at reading the pass from his linebacker spot. He's become the Ray Lewis-type for Edison and is usually a threat to get 12-17 tackles per game. Hamilton is the speed guy off the edge and can wreak havoc. A key match up in this game will be seeing both men collide with Nick Wilson.
More on Sams: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/750631/
More on Hamilton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK5AGbH9bDM
KHAI WILLIAMS, RUNNING BACK, EDISON
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Williams makes the Tiger backfield one of the deepest in the state. Williams is a long-distance threat with the ball in his hands and is capable of breaking the 40 or 70 yard touchdown run. If he adds bulk, more speed and improves his vision and inside running, he could also pile up the offers just like Nutt and Wright.
More on Williams: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/1471930/khai-williams
HUNTER SWEARINGEN, QUARTERBACK, EDISON
Swearingen must've did enough to convince Edison to move Greeley out of quarterback and go with him toward the end of the regular season. Swearingen has provided a nice deep ball and is dangerous with the play action. A huge off-season could also see the 6-foot-2, 175-pound quarterback pile up the offers.
More on Swearingen: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2608541
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| Contributed photo |
SAVION SIMMS, ATHLETE, CENTRAL
Whether on offense or defense, Simms is always a threat to go the distance and leave defenders grabbing the oxygen tanks. Simms has to be one of the fastest players in the Valley and has put together the kind of season that's gotten San Diego State and a few PAC-12 schools already showing interest.
More on Simms: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1754595/highlights/92476377?autoplay=1
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| photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna/The Reedley Exponent |
JOVONTE PAGE, SAFETY, CENTRAL
Page is a hard nosed safety and a Troy Polomalu-type for the Grizzlies. He's also lined up at cornerback and shows a mean streak with his jams at the line of scrimmage and coverage skills.
More on Page: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3423702/highlights/97381375?autoplay=1
DEHLON PRESTON, CORNERBACK, CENTRAL
Preston had a breakout evening against Buchanan in the first round of the playoffs with his hands and return ability. He's another typical Tony Perry defensive back with his press ability and feisty demeanor. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Preston already holds a University of Houston offer.
More on Preston: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2322871/highlights/92304384?autoplay=1
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