Terrell a pleasant weapon at Pleasant Grove

Photo courtesy of sacbee.com

One of the more dangerous all-around athletes in the Sacramento region also happens to be one of the smallest. However, don't let the near 5-foot-8 stature of De'Aundre Terrell of Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove fool you.

If anything, Terrell can make a fool out of defenders with how he makes up for his lack of size.

Terrell is not even six feet tall and he's playing quarterback. However, he's got a little Russell Wilson in him with his ability to take off and run. I was also in awe of his throwing ability. Terrell has a cannon on him and also impressed me with his decision making on throws. When the pocket around him collapses, that's when Terrell proves to be the most dangerous at quarterback with his ability to either step out of the pocket and go deep with the pass, or go deep with a 30-40 yard scramble.When he takes off and runs, he's elusive and slips by 2-4 defenders.

If his future is not a quarterback, he has been utilized in a variety of ways with Pleasant Grove and his 7-on-7 squad Team ASAP, which is coached by former Arena Football League assistant Walt Saunders. Terrell lined up at wide receiver when I was at Livermore for Passing Down's Nor Cal Regional and burned defensive backs on wheel and out routes. On one play, Terrell hauled down one crucial reception where he out-jumped his much taller cover corner - by using a 42" vertical jump to grab the pass. He was also Pleasant Grove's punt return and, just like how he is when he scrambles, Terrell also left defenders in the dust on returns.

Defensively, Terrell shows excellent pursuits to the football and closes in well on passes. His speed already allows him to blanket wide receivers. His eyes for the football and closing fast on the rock also impressed me on film.

Obviously, size is a drawback especially if he gets more looks at quarterback. He'll likely get looked at more in another position. Bulk will be one area of need for him. So will continuing to refine his routes by playing wide receiver or showing a consistent ability to jam at the line as a cornerback on defense. In the end, though, Terrell can excite a lot of people regardless of where he lines up.  He won me over with how he performed in Livermore. Now I can't wait to see him in another 7-on-7 setting or his next highlight film.

More on Terrell can be found here.

Simms getting his name out

Photo courtesy of Savion Simms

The last time I saw Savion Simms of Central-Fresno on the football field, it reminded me of someone from Central I saw four years ago at Passing Down - current Cal return ace Brendan Bigelow.

Bigelow had his breakout day by showing his speed, hands and playmaking ability at the 2009 Passing Down camp. Recently on St. Patrick's Day at Livermore, Simms became a late edition to Passing Down's Nor Cal Regional. The end result was Simms becoming one of the biggest party crashers at the camp.

Simms turned heads with his acceleration, including on one 40-yard touchdown pass where he dashed past two tall Bay Area defenders. Simms also showed his hands on one interception good for the pick six. His foot speed and play making ability has now made him one to watch this off-season and under the lights this Fall.

The 2015 prospect will need bulk. He's only around 150-pounds and stands at 5-foot-8. He also will say he doesn't want the Bigelow comparisons, he wants to be his own guy and play off of his own name.

It will be interesting to see where Simms will get recruited as. In his game film, he's shown an ability to jam receivers at the line and have the speed to blanket wideouts. Offensively, he's a deep threat at wide receiver and has running back-like elusiveness in the open field. Continued work and continued exposure can make him one of the next highly recruited Grizzlies.

More on Simms can be found here.http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1754595/savion-simms

No. 100 (A message from CGM's owner)

This is the 100th post for Cali Gold Mine. This one is a different write-up, because this is where I say this:

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who took an interest in the scouting reports I posted. I want to thank the student-athletes for being inspired/motivated with what I write and taking the timeout to thank me for getting them out there. Thanks also to the student-athletes at both the prep and junior college level for sending me their film so I can help add my scout thoughts. I want to say thanks to the parents for both the high praise and for pointing out their players to me. I also want to give an important thank you to all the college coaches at any level for using CGM as a tool for their recruiting needs. My hope is that my connection base continues to expand by helping discover more talented football players ready for the next level.

While I'm excited about what the future holds for me regarding scouting and recruiting writing, I will say this: Most readers already know this but for those who didn't know, I also serve as the Sports Editor at The Reedley Exponent and I'm back at it with the fastest rising 7-on-7 football camp in the state of California - Passing Down - as their coverage writer.

Long story short, I'll try to update this blog as much as I can, but my true focus will always be with The Exponent and my scouting endeavors has now shifted over to Passing Down for the next few months. My plan at P.D will still remain: I'm helping discover prospects and using the pen and pad to create a platform for them to lure in scholarship offers. Except this time, I'm discovering them with my own eyes at a 7-on-7 tournament I attend.

Again, I'll try to update this blog as much as I can, but most of my scout work will be seen on Passing Down. Great features stories and camp recaps are lined up, trust me!

And trust me when I say that I probably wouldn't have gone this far with this blog corner if it weren't for your interest in my material! I can go to sleep every night knowing people up and down California and in other parts of the United States knows about what I do. Thanks again! The best is yet to come!

Sincerely,
Lorenzo J. Reyna

Edison Tiger earning his stripes

Photo courtesy of Rivals.com

Edison High School in Fresno has been known for two things in the Central Valley of California: speed and producing college football talent.

After the Tigers produced three more college football prospects in free safety Justin Holmes (Fresno State), strong safety Ronnie Manning (Northern Arizona) and quarterback Khari McGee (Arizona) through the 2013 class, looks like class of 2014 athlete Kevin Nutt Jr. will keep the college coaches flocking to West Fresno.

While all the buzz in the West side of Fresno may have been the exciting play of McGee as a dual-threat passer, Nutt provided explosive plays that generated even more excitement for the Tigers on Friday and Saturday nights.

Upon further review, Nutt could be one of the most explosive offensive weapons in the state and, after a surprise performance at the New Level Badger 7-on-7 tournament on Saturday, March 2 in Las Vegas, Nutt also showed some defensive game on the field.

As a running back, Nutt can turn heads with his speed. He's got an explosive burst through the hole and won't hesitate from hitting it. When he sees daylight, forget it, Nutt will turn on the jets and use his 4.4 40-yard dash speed to scorch the football turf. I'm even more blown away by his elusiveness. He can run around defenders and has good eyes to spot openings on the field while carrying the ball.

At 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, he's obviously lacking ideal size for an every-down running back right now. He does tend to run upright and can work on consistently staying low to the ground with the ball. One area that may also impress colleges is his blocking ability. Even with a relatively small stature, Nutt hits like a fullback with his blocking and can knock a defender off of his feet.

At the recent Las Vegas tournament, Nutt reportedly was placed in as a defensive back and took advantage of being on the field. Nutt blanketed wide receivers and closed fast on the football. His performance in Vegas helped land him a recent University of Houston offer.

If he ends up playing in the secondary, I'll be curious to see how he does as a press cover corner. He's got the speed to be an effective man coverage player and has the closing speed to play safety. However, with his big plays last season on offense, it's likely he'll generate more interest as an offensive player. He's also currently running track this spring and runs a 10.9 100 meter dash. He could also be a state track and field qualifier along with being the next highly recruited Edison Tiger.

More on Nutt can be found here.

Malik Magic

photo courtesy of the Napa Valley Register

We haven't really discussed too many dual-threat players for the 2014 class, until now. I found film and a possible steal from the Napa County region in California in the form of this wide receiver/defensive back.

Malik Beachum is quietly starting to gain ground on the recruiting trail with attending various college camps. He's yet to be offered, but after breaking down his film, he's got to be one of the best athletes in the Bay and possibly the state.

On offense, I love Beachum's explosiveness off the line. However, I was more in awe of his play making ability.

He's got an impressive vertical jump for a guy who's 5-foot-10 and has shown to beat defenders for the jump ball one-on-one. He's got soft hands and his body control after the catch will also attract college programs who may be looking to add receivers. It's his ability after the catch, though, that makes him explosive. He's shown a fast second gear after the catch and can stretch the field for the 50-70 yard touchdown.

Defensively, let's just say, he looks as if he's a wide receiver wanting the football. Beachum has a nose for the ball and will chase after it. He's got long enough arms to swat the football down or go for the diving pick. Even at 5-foot-10, he didn't come off as a guy who was hesitant about throwing his body around. He'll look to blow plays and wide receivers up with his aggressive nature.

Bulk is what he's lacking right now, plus true size at being a wide receiver or cover cornerback. I'll also be curious to see how he does in the press coverage, since he seemed to play more of a zone at American Canyon High School. A scheme like that, however, takes advantage of his closing speed. 

In conclusion, Beachum will either give an offense a big-play threat, or give a defense an aggressive ball-hawk. In the classroom, he's carrying a core 2.7 grade point average. Probably only a matter of time before he lands offer No. 1.

More on Beachum can be found here.

Shellow now the lead 'Dog?

photo courtesy of athletics.hancockcollege.edu

With Cameron Artis-Payne dashing his way to Auburn after a stellar career at Allan Hancock College-Santa Maria, could the usually run-heavy Bulldogs consider airing it out more for 2013?

If this is the case, followers of AHC football probably will know who will see the football come his way more often - the biggest receiver on the field for the Bulldogs.

Nicko Shellow seemed to quietly place together a strong freshman campaign down in the 805 while colleges inquired about the ultra-talented Artis-Payne. Shellow averaged 19.7 yards per catch with his 591 receiving yards. He also scored seven touchdowns while grabbing 30 receptions.

However, we shouldn't look at the stats to determine what type of player Shellow is. Look at the physical attributes:

For one, he's built like a tight end at 6-foot-3 and 238-pounds. The Columbus, Ohio native has a freakish burst off the line for a big wide receiver. His size and long arms already makes him dependable over the middle, but its his physical nature that has me glued in.

Shellow is tough to bring down and bounces off of tacklers like a glorified tight end, even though he's a wide receiver. His acceleration after the catch can make offensive coaches become enamored and defensive coaches develop nightmares. He's also unafraid of going for the jump ball when he's inside the red zone. He'll use his size, hands and basketball-like vertical jump.

He does hold the football away from his body when running after the catch. He'll need to correct his ball-handling to prevent potential fumbles. Still, with continued progression and a major 2013 season, I got a feeling Shellow will be on a lot of four-year program's wish list and be high up on several lists, just like his former teammate Artis-Payne.

More on Shellow can be found here.

Big offensive tackle getting recognized

Photo courtesy of Rivals.com

It may not be too hard to spot Kameron Schroeder of Consumnes Oaks-Elk Grove on the football field. If for whatever reason he can't be spotted:

1) Just look for a tall 6-foot-6 lineman or...

2) Look for an offensive tackle shoving his defender back 5-10 yards away from the play.

Schroeder isn't just one of the tallest players on the football field with his 6-foot-6 frame, he also has to be one of the quickest offensive linemen in the state with his 5.03 40-yard dash time. His speed gives him a strong get-off once the ball is snapped and enables him to lock up with his defender right away.

It's not just his quickness or tall frame that scored points for me, its also his nasty demeanor. Schroeder doesn't come off as a lineman who will pop his hands once at a defender then quit, he tries to drive his opponent either down the field or to the ground. He gets low enough to gain leverage on his defender then use his quick feet to violently drive him out.

He does get caught with wrapping his hands around a defender, which can lead to holding. One other area of concern for me is his overall strength. He's a 265-pound kid, but he reportedly bench presses 285 pounds. That may cause red flags for certain schools with wondering how his upper body strength will be when going against a faster and stronger 285-plus pound lineman at the next level. Most four-year schools will want an offensive lineman who benches well over 330 pounds. They'll likely want weight room warriors out of the linemen they're looking for.

Schroeder's athleticism, however, is what's making him noticed on the recruiting trail. His academics have also played a role in his recruitment, thanks to his 4.0 grade point average which has given him a bevy of interest from Northwestern, Harvard and Cornell. His lone offer right now is from Idaho. An off-season of developed strength and improving quickness could make him an offensive tackle in California who could explode with several offers. His size and speed already make him an intriguing offensive lineman prospect for the 2014 class.

More on Schroeder can be found here.