Bland, NoCals quiet man
Three-star running back/defensive back Louis Bland (5-10, 202, 4.5) from Modesto (Calif.) Central Catholic had one of the best seasons of any player in the state in 2007. He led his team to the State Championship game albeit in a losing cause against Ventura (Calif.) Saint Bonaventure.
Bland is not only a two-way standout for Central Catholic, but a two-sport star as well.
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"Louis just came back from an official visit to Washington State," Central Catholic coach Mike Glines said. "He's kind of keeping it close to the vest, but he said he liked his trip.
"Cal came by the school on Tuesday and met with Louis, but I don't have the details of the conversation," Glines said. "I'm not sure if he scheduled a visit or not to Cal.
It has since been discovered that he will be visiting Cal this weekend.
"Louis is also an outstanding wrestler and is one of the best wrestlers for his weight in the state and possibly the nation," Glines said. "If he doesn't play football, he has several schools that have offered him for wrestling.
Though Bland is playing it close to the vest and has been saying much, it is a pretty good bet he will sign a football NLI in February.
Bland was the Golden State's Small School Player of the Year for his senior season performance after rushing for 1,763 yards and 30 rushing touchdowns. He caught eight passes for 105 yards out of the backfield and scored two more touchdowns through the air.
On the defensive side of the football, Bland accounted for 60 tackles, nine interceptions and one sack.
Bland is also an outstanding return man averaging 16.6 yards on punt returns and 22.8 yards on kick returns.
Closing the conversation with Glines he said that Ventura (Calif.) Saint Bonaventure five-star running back Darrell Scott, who they played in the State Championship is a great player, but he wouldn't trade Bland for him.