ON THE GOLDEN STATE RECRUITING TRAIL: LIBERTY (BAKERSFIELD) LINEMAN KEEPING DI LINEAGE ALIVE

Kurtis Brown holds up the ceremonial CIF Central Section Division I title plaque. The Liberty (Bakersfield) Class of 2017 prospect is already drawing collegiate interest with two PAC-12 offers (photo contributed). 

Liberty High School’s chances of continuing its NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision pipeline is in good hands – in the form of big 6-foot-3, 280-pound Kurtis Brown.

The Class of 2017 prospect from Bakersfield is already the latest Patriot to land some FBS pledges, as the defensive lineman currently holds offers from Colorado and Washington State of the PAC-12. Brown adds that UCLA, Norte Dame, Missouri, Colorado State, Auburn, Washington, Purdue and Utah have sent him letters of interest.

Since 2011, Liberty – the reigning California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Central Section Division I champions from this past season – have produced Krys Barnes (UCLA), Jordan Love (Utah State), Anthony Mariscal (Arizona), Ruben Guerra (Texas-El Paso), Cole Mazza (Alabama) and Cody Temple (USC) as its FBS products. Brown said he likes being the latest Patriot to draw collegiate intrigue.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Brown said. “From all the pain and hard work I’ve put in and to get amazing offers, I’m just happy to keep the DI chain at the great Liberty High School going.”

LEMOORE ATHLETE DOESN’T MIND THE NON DI LOVE

Lemoore High's Jerald Campbell holds 10 scholarship offers, but none of them are from the FBS ranks.

The Class of 2016 prospect’s biggest offer is from Weber State of the Football Championship Subdivision. His other pledges come from the likes of NAIA programs Avila University, Jamestown and Missouri Baptist. Yet, the lack of FBS attention doesn’t bother the Tigers’ versatile weapon, who doubled as play-making wide receiver and cover cornerback for the Central Section D-II runner-up.

“It's a privilege to be able to say I have a lot of offers because a lot of athletes can’t say that. The division doesn't really matter to me, as long as I'm getting a great education and playing the game I love (Football),” Campbell said.

Campbell finished with 31 tackles, six pass breakups and three interceptions for the 11-3 Tigers, who lost 45-19 to Ridgeview (Bakersfield) for the section D-II title.

Campbell said most college coaches are recruiting him as a cornerback and safety. He plans to take unofficial visits to Azusa Pacific and Humboldt State in January 2016. 

ST. BONAVENTURE (VENTURA) RUNNING BACK ON THE EARLY RADAR

Looks like Chuck Wick is starting to give college coaches something to look forward to in 2018.

Wick, who starred at running back during his sophomore season with the Seraphs’ varsity unit, said his head coach Adam Guerra is already informing college coaches about him.

“Coach Guerra said Oregon put me on their underclassmen top recruiting watch list board after looking at Casey Roddick's film,” Wick said. “Utah offensive coordinator coach (Jim) Harding has me on their board and Texas A&M coach (Dave) Christensen has shown a lot of interest. Nevada, Colorado State, Wyoming and UNLV have also shown interest.”

Wick is listed as a 6-foot, 181-pound speedster for St. Bonaventure. He runs a 40-yard dash time of 4.46 according to his Hudl account.