Bumpus packs bags

One of the nation’s best wide receiver prospects four-star Michael Bumpus (6-0, 185, 4.5) from Culver City, Calif., didn’t get an opportunity to showcase his superb hands and great routes much in 2003. Because of injuries, Bumpus played out of position as a quarterback most of the season.

That is the kind of teammate Bumpus is. Team goals and victories are a priority for Bumpus, not heady stats.

Lord knows Bumpus has plenty of impressive stats. As a junior, Bumpus caught 75 passes for 1,081 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was also called upon to run the ball as he had 192 rushing yards on 17 carries and four touchdowns while averaging 11.2 yards per carry.

His performance was good enough for Bumpus to be selected all-CIF and all-area.

Bumpus saw his senior season come to an end in a thrilling quarter-final CIF game. Culver City lost a tough one to Gardena (Calif.) Serra 27-24.

Though Bumpus and his teammates lost, Bumpus did not go quietly into the deep dark night.

Bumpus accounted for 200 yards rushing and 80 yards passing as a quarterback against Serra.

For the season, Bumpus rushed for approximately 800 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. As a receiver, in limited opportunities, Bumpus caught 16 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns.

Though Bumpus played out of position as a senior he still received ample scholarship offers. He has offers from every school in the Pac10 except Stanford and UCLA.

Bumpus also has offers from Colorado, LSU, Indiana, Utah and North Carolina.

The only visit that Bumpus has taken so far was to Washington State and he liked it a lot. Former Culver City standout Karl Paymah, who starts for the Cougars at cornerback, was Bumpus’ host. He had a visit scheduled to LSU but he didn’t make the trip and now will have to reschedule.

The Washington State Cougars may be in the Bumpus household this week.

Bumpus will be packing his bags this coming weekend and will be taking a trip to Arizona State on December 5th. His last two visits will be to Washington and USC but the dates haven’t been set yet.

There is no question that Bumpus proved his versatility as a senior and that he brings a lot to the table. Though he could easily be recruited as an athlete, every school is still recruiting him as a wide receiver.

The talented Bumpus will could also help the lucky team that signs him as a return man.

Bumpus is a member The Rivals100 team for the class of 2004 and his rated as the 70th best prospect at any position, he is rated as the nation’s number 10th wide receiver, he is also a member of the Super West 60 team as the 17th best prospect in the west and made the California top 100 team landing in the lucky number 13 spot.