2011 RB already has offer
Spokane (Wash.) Gonzaga Prep running back Bishop Sankey may only be a junior-to-be, but he's already picked up one offer and has garnered the attention of several others.
The speedy 5-foot-11, 190-pound back attended Washington State's junior day in March, and at the end of the day he met with head coach Paul Wulff and running backs coach Steve Broussard.
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"Before I left, coach Broussard and coach Wulff sat me and my dad down and said they were offering me a scholarship," Sankey said. "I was definitely surprised and very happy, I didn't know they were going to offer me."
Washington State coaches first noticed Sankey last summer, when he earned running back MVP honors at the program's summer camp.
The staff saw plenty more of him during the 2008 season while scouting defensive end Travis Long, his teammate who ended up signing with the Cougars. Sankey left Pullman pleased with what the program had to offer.
"I was impressed with all their facilities and definitely their weight room, and liked how interested their coaches were," he said.
"Coach Broussard kind of reminds me of my dad, just his build and how he talks. I don't know, I just feel comfortable when I'm around him."
Sankey estimated he rushed for more than 600 yards and six touchdowns with about a 10.8 yards per carry average in six starts last season, his first one on varsity. He was the only sophomore to start for Gonzaga Prep last fall.
He said his best attributes as a running back are elusiveness and breakaway speed, and he's got plenty of it. The sophomore back sports a 4.4-second 40-meter dash time.
Sankey has received letters from a number of schools, including UCLA, Oregon and Georgia Tech.
"I have a few camp invites, too," Sankey said. "Ohio State and Notre Dame want me to come to their camps, and I'm probably going to go to them. I'm definitely grateful for that opportunity."
Sankey moved to Spokane from Dayton, Ohio, a few years ago because his father is in the Air Force. He considers the state home, and has no qualms with moving away from Washington for college if need be.
"It really doesn't matter to me," he said. "I'm more concerned about academics and the opportunity to play early, like in my freshman or sophomore year."