Cali QB is a double threat

The Golden State always seems to be a destination for D-I schools when they are in need for a quarterback. This recruiting season will be no different. The Central Valley is home for one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in California.

The player in question is Nathan Costa (6-2, 204, 4.74) from Hilmar, Calif.

Costa is an outstanding signal-caller who was selected all-state as a junior while also earning his league's Offensive MVP for both his sophomore and junior seasons.

As a junior Costa passed for 2,249 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Not only can Costa pass but he is a game breaker running the football.

Though he sat out the second half of several games, he was still Hilmar's leading rusher averaging 60.2 yards. For the season, Costa rushed for 662 yards and six touchdowns with a long run of 90 yards.

In the last two weeks, Northwestern and Stanford have been by the school. And interesting enough, Ole Miss called the school this past week.

"I sent a tape of Nathan to Coach (Ed) Orgeron when he was at USC," Hilmar quarterbacks coach Craig Handy said. "It must of done something because we heard from Ole Miss within a month of him taking the job."

Costa works out with NorCal quarterback guru Roger Theder and because he does he has an advanced knowledge of the game of football.

Like many Theder students before him, Costa looks to be another headed to the D-I level.

Besides Stanford, Northwestern and Ole Miss, Costa is getting early letters from Arizona, Arizona State, Washington, UCLA and Wisconsin.

Working with Theder has paying off, according to Handy.

"Nathan is able to dissect coverages before the snap about has fast as you can," Handy said. "He knows all the strengths and weaknesses of all the coverages and gets the ball to the right person. He knows when it is appropriate to tuck it and go or when to pass. Costa also has an excellent understanding of down and distance."

Costa has outstanding leadership skills. He leads by example and is all business, all the time. His work ethic is second to none and he's always the last player to leave practice.

Costa has benched 185 pounds 17 times and has a max of approximately 290.

Costa is just as good in the classroom as he carries 3.3 GPA in core classes. He will take the ACT this coming weekend and the SAT next month (March '05).