UN-OFFERED GEMS - 23 HIDDEN FOOTBALL TREASURES IN THE GOLDEN STATE

Deshawn Collins has obliterated defenses at state powerhouse Grant High School in Sacramento, but the Pacers' star running back is yet to report his first official offer. He's among a list of underrated and un-offered talents in the Golden State (photo credit Max preps). 

They’re un-offered, but they’re unrelenting.

And they’ll likely use their zero scholarship offers as fuel to make opponents pay, plus try to get on a college football program’s last minute shopping list for the 2016 recruiting class.

These 23 athletes have drawn interest from different programs and got college coaches visiting them during the NCAA Spring Evaluation Period. A huge senior season from these prospects can increase their chances to land either their first or several scholarship pledges.

Players and parents stressing over no offers shouldn't fret. Kevin Scott of Salesian (Los Angeles) is an example of a late bloomer; whose 11 sacks last season got Texas, Ole Miss, Miami and Kansas State to offer him late before USC won the Scott sweepstakes.

As the 2015-16 season approaches, here’s some un-offered gems in the Golden State:

JAKE CONSTANTINE, CAMARILLO 

All he’s done in Ventura County is shred some of the top defenses in the 805 with his right arm and speedy legs. He’s one of the toughest quarterbacks to game plan against in Southern California, because he’ll destroy a defensive scheme through the air or ground. Constantine has had coaches from Washington, Boise State, Fresno State, Sacramento State, Eastern Washington and the Ivy Leagues chatting with him.

DESHAWN COLLINS, GRANT (SACRAMENTO)

It’s perplexing to see a 2,000-yard rusher at a state powerhouse currently hold no offers. The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Collins has to be one of the top sleepers in the state. He gashed defenses to the tune of 2,231 yards and runs like a young Andre Ellington of the Arizona Cardinals. Collins has gotten Ivy League teams, Mountain West Conference, Big Sky and some PAC-12 schools showing him love.

TANNER RICE, CLOVIS

Think of a provoked Tasmanian devil in the middle of the field. That’s what you get with the 6-foot, 215-pound Rice, who attacks and destroys. He’s the latest defender who's carrying on the lineage of past defensive greats at Clovis High. Big Sky, MWC, Ivy League and PAC-12 coaches have become interested in the inside linebacker.

ISAAC LEPPKE, DINUBA

The Emperors are planning to utilize some read option schemes this fall, which means an increased load for Leppke, who showed cool moxie while going against some of the top heavyweights in Tulare County last fall. Leppke threw the ball in front of Mountain West, Ivy League and Iowa State coaches during the evaluation period.

BRENT PEUS, SANTA BARBARA

Peus has impressed Ivy League teams with his academics (held a 4.6 grade point average), size (6-foot-3) and precision passing (completed 64.9% of his throws last year). All he needs to do is get the Dons to break into the playoffs, which they fell short of last year.

ZACH BURG, RIGHETTI (SANTA MARIA)

Burg is Mr. Do-Everything for the Warriors. Coaches have asked him to play fullback, defensive end and linebacker – and Burg doesn’t disappoint. His astonishing 4.8 GPA allows him to adapt right away to new roles on the field. Burg told us on Aug. 21 that Ivy League programs are interested in what he does at linebacker.

TROY ARTOPOEUS, RIGHETTI

With top receiver Steve Spadarotto gone, look for the big 6-foot-5, 220-pound Artopoeus to get an increased role in the air attack. He’s a reliable red zone threat and possession target who’s bounced between tight end and receiver. The returning senior has San Diego State, Northern Arizona, Cal Poly and Arizona State eyeing him.

LAVANTE BUSHNELL, STAGG (STOCKTON)

Bushnell doesn’t come off the field for Stagg, as he lines up at quarterback, slot receiver, cornerback and safety. Defense might be his calling at the next level, though, because of his fluid backpedal and recovery speed. Bushnell had Big Sky, MWC and PAC-12 coaches swinging by to talk to him this past spring.

BRAD MICKEY, ARROYO GRANDE

The only bad mistake Mickey made last season was missing his tackle on Paso Robles’ Bailey Gaither last season, who hurdled over Mickey to score the final touchdown of that playoff game. But outside of that, Mickey was dynamic with 10 interceptions for the always competitive Eagles. Mickey took an April trip to Boise State and liked what he saw out there. He’s at the same high school that recently sent Seth Jacobs to Oklahoma State.

MARC MARTIN, ATASCADERO

He’s a mammoth, 6-foot, 220-pound tumbling rock who punishes defenders and has some surprising lateral agility for a big back. He’ll be the go-to back for a Greyhounds team who caused a logjam at the top of the PAC-5 last season.

KRIS BUENO, MADERA

The Coyotes aren’t known for beating teams through the pass, but the 6-foot-3 Bueno is the one guy Madera looks to if they need an aerial highlight. The fast and tall target has Fresno State, UNLV, UTEP and Norte Dame interested in him.

TREVON CUMMINGS, BUCHANAN (CLOVIS)

The Bears had one of the best defenses in the Central Section last season and Cummings emerged as their top cover cornerback. Cummings – despite his 5-foot-8 frame – can lock up wide receivers in the press game. He can bench press 300 pounds according to his Hudl account. He’s had DII powerhouse Azusa Pacific taking a close look at him.

NICK COLE, BULLARD (FRESNO)

Cole is a hard-nosed safety who has Northern Arizona, Montana and Penn taking interest. He’s also a former quarterback. If he shows his ball-hawking skills this fall, he could sneak in some late offers.

QUINCY JOUNTII, LIBERTY (BAKERSFIELD)

Jountii is a Shane Vereen-type for the explosive Patriot offense. He can bulldoze defenders at running back and add a receiving element. Jountii says Sacramento State has shown the most interest.

MATT HUBBLE, LIBERTY

Hubble, like Jountii, is another versatile chess piece for the talented Pats. He too adds that runner/receiver dynamic. Hubble is also a linebacker for Liberty, which is where he’s being projected to play at in college. Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington and UTEP have shown interest in him on defense.

BLAKE WALKER, CENTRAL VALLEY CHRISTIAN (VISALIA)

Mt. Walker towers at 6-foot-7 and will enter his senior year with a thinner frame, which he hopes will make his feet quicker in the passing game as the Cavaliers – the Central Section D-IV runner-up – plan to spread the ball out this year. Walker has Football Championship Subdivision and MWC coaches intrigued.

BRAD TAYLOR, CENTRAL VALLEY CHRISTIAN

Taylor is the Kam Chancellor of the CVC defense, as the 6-foot-3, 195-pound safety doubles as interception king and ferocious hitter. Ivy League teams have looked at him closely.

CURTIS JACKSON, IRVINE

Jackson – who gets called “Young 50” because he shares the same first and last name with famous musician/actor 50 Cent – was a fierce enforcer at safety for Irvine in 2014-15. The 6-foot, 170-pound Jackson, however, wants to become a better ball hawk as his senior year approaches. San Diego State and San Jose State have been the most interested schools.

MATT KELLER, PASO ROBLES

The Bearcats will have to replace three NCAA DI guys in Gaither, Josh Oliver and Jonathan Baldwin this fall, but count on the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Keller to pick up what the trio left behind. Keller is a bruising linebacker who knocks the wind out of people. With Baldwin gone, Keller could see action at tight end as well.

KYLE MACAULEY, BELLARMINE (SAN JOSE)

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound receiver and track star is an animal in the deep game. He’s burned defensive backs on streak and post patterns in the Silicon Valley. He had a productive offseason by earning the Passing Down Best of the West Most Valuable Player award in April 2015.

MARQEL MCCOY, CONCORD

An underrated big target in the Bay Area. The 6-foot-3 McCoy can haul down the tough sideline and red zone catches. Army has shown the most interest in the 3.6 GPA student.

MICHAEL LOWE, GLENDORA

While the buzz at Glendora has been USC quarterback commit Matt Fink, it's Lowe who's put together a productive and impressive offseason. He's shown his versatility as a wide receiver and cornerback and the returning senior could breakout as Fink's top target on offense this fall. Lowe has had mid-major programs examine him closely.

JACE ALCAZAR, BUHACH COLONY (ATWATER)

He may be undersized and has seen limited action, but Alcazar is a hard-nosed playmaker at linebacker and tight end for the Thunder. He's had mid-major schools and neighboring MWC university Fresno State taking a look at him.