Around the West: Emerging QBs

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Rivals.com analyst Adam Gorney looks around the West region at some of the emerging underclassmen, a promising sleeper prospect and also previews the upcoming weekend of game coverage.

Remember these names

PQB Max BrowneClick A breakdown of three top underclassmen in the West region:Here to view this Link., Sammamish (Wash.) Skyline (2013)

PQB Hayden RettigClick Browne has been on the recruiting radar for a couple years already and firmly established himself as one of the top 2013 quarterbacks after throwing for 4,182 yards with 50 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 2010. He continued showing off his outstanding skills at the Stanford Elite 11 regional this off-season. Browne has great arm strength, solid mechanics and can throw the short, intermediate and long passes with ease. Offers are already in from the Pac-12, Big Ten and ACC and many more are expected.Here to view this Link., Los Angeles (Calif.) Cathedral (2013)

RB Nathan StarksClick Rettig emerged as the National Underclassmen Combine a couple years ago and then shined again at the Los Angeles NIKE Camp this spring but he's proven in games to be incredibly talented as well. The junior quarterback threw for 530 yards with six touchdowns and an interception in Cathedral's season opener. His brother, Chase, plays at Boston College and there's a good chance Rettig could end up with double-digit offers before he makes a commitment.Here to view this Link., Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman (2014)

Starks is not yet the featured running back at Bishop Gorman - that title belongs to three-star senior Shaquille Powell - but the future is bright for the sophomore. With great size and an outstanding frame, Starks definitely has the potential to be a future star at the Las Vegas powerhouse. He was impressive in the season opener against Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral and he could also play defensive back which makes his so versatile. Colorado has already offered and many others could join by this time next season.

Sleeper of the week

RB Jordan VisarragaClick This week's under-the-radar prospect that won't be unknown for long:Here to view this Link., Eugene (Ore.) Willamette (2012)

Visarraga, a 5-foot-10, 178-pound prospect, has offers from Washington State, Army and Portland State but could be close to landing one from his dream school, Washington, especially after he performed so well in the first two weeks of the season.

The Willamette standout rushed for 289 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries in Willamette's season opener and then had 194 yards and four scores on 18 touches last weekend. Cal and Oregon State are also showing interest.

Weekend watch

On Friday, Gorney is attending a double header which features Culver City (Calif.) High at Palos Verdes (Calif.) Peninsula and then Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne visits Long Beach (Calif.) Poly.

1. How will Arizona State's commits look?

Long Beach Poly has two impressive wins already this season against Sacramento (Calif.) Grant and Carson, Calif., and it will be interesting to see how its star players - who are almost all committed to Arizona State - perform on the field.

Wide receivers Josiah Blandin, Richard Smith and Randall Goforth along with linebackers Salamo Fiso and Matthew Rowe lead the way for Long Beach Poly. All five have pledged to the Sun Devils.

2. How will Williams fare against tough defense?

Narbonne quarterback Troy Williams is a standout 2013 quarterback who looked great during 7-on-7 events this off-season. It will be interesting to see how he performs against a tough defense in game situations.

His team might be outmanned in this matchup so it could be an unfair evaluation but it will definitely test Williams to see if he can make good decisions in tough situations. So far, Washington, SMU, Bowling Green and Nevada have offered.

3. How good are the Culver City kids?

Three-star linebacker Khalil Pettway was outstanding at times this past summer especially at the B2G Elite Camp but this is the first time we'll be seeing him in a real game. Wide receiver Alex Jackson has offers from some outstanding programs but he wasn't seen at any camps this summer. This will be the first time we see Jackson to give him a proper evaluation.

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