On the recruiting trail

Photo contributed

Cali Gold Mine has come out of hiatus after a lengthy period off!

Lots have gone on during the NCAA Spring Evaluation period. Most prospects first highlighted by CGM have now either piled up the offers, landed offer No. 1 or have committed.

Here's a run down:

-- Caleb Kelly (Clovis West, photo) has gone from a rising star to watch to the headliner of the Central Section's 2016 class. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound linebacker/tight end is already up to 10 offers and added Alabama on Wednesday, May 7. Kelly is a freak athlete with closing pursuits, speed off the edge, wide receiver-like hands and as a linebacker, he runs like a cornerback.

-- Fellow Clovis West teammate Darian Owens added his first scholarship offer. The University of Oklahoma came through for the rising 2016 wide receiver. Owens is a chiseled 5-foot-11, 180-pound target who has hit the weight room and camp circuit hard this offseason. Owens is a smooth route runner with nice hands. Still needs to refine his routes and improve his focus. But Owens could also pile the offers up at CW.

-- James Williams of Burbank went from sleeper running back to Washington State pledge today. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound back made his commitment on May 7. Williams is a shifty, elusive back with receiving ability. Those traits should make him ideal for Cougars head coach Mike Leach's Air Raid offense.

-- Hayden Haupt of Clovis North is beginning to gain steam on the recruiting trail. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound outside linebacker landed a recent offer from Colorado State, his first. Haupt is an excellent rusher from his OLB spot and has a strong upper body. He'll need to improve his pass coverage skills, but Haupt has the skills to give a college program a pass rushing option.

-- Lastly, Edison-Fresno running back Khai Williams ended his anticipation of receiving offer No. 1. The rising 2015 prospect got an offer from Eastern Washington on May 6. Williams, who's drawn interest from Oklahoma, Cal, Colorado and Fresno State, has added 10-15 pounds to his frame and also has spent the offseason marketing himself. He did damage at Passing Down's Cen Cal Regional on April 13 in Elk Grove with his hands, quick feet, and elusiveness at wide receiver. Williams added a visit to Cal recently. He first caught CGM's attention following his breakout evening against Madera last season.