Cali WR lands first scholarship offer

Three years ago, we received a highlite tape of a receiver that really blew us away. There was no year indicated on the tape but we coded the athlete to receive a Nike camp invite and felt he was one of the best receivers we had seen in the state that year. Then we found out the player in question had just finished his freshman season. That player was San Jacinto (Calif.) standout Ryan Kessman who just picked up his first of what should be several scholarship offers.

Kessman, 6-0, 200 pounds will be a four year starter next season and is one of the top receivers in the West region. Since we don't invite freshman or sophomores to the Nike camps, Kessman wasn't able to attend three years ago but he was in action last year and looked very good.

On film, Kessman is very impressive. He reminds us of a faster Dave Anderson (former Colorado State star) in terms of his size, speed, hands and ability to run after the catch. Kessman catches everything and runs like a running back once he gets the ball in open field. He caught 43 balls for 855 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago and also was a threat on special teams averaging 35 yards per punt return and 40 yards on kick off returns.

On the recruiting front, Kessman's recruitment is just starting to take off as the family has sent out over 30 highlite tapes in the last couple of weeks.

"BYU just offered me this week," Kessaman said. "I talked to Coach Lee at Hawaii and they said they're close to offering as well. Todd Berry at Miami reviewed my tape and told me I was one of top receivers on their board and they're going to be recruiting me very hard. Utah, Oregon, Texas A&M and Texas Tech have all said the same thing- they like my film a lot and could be offering very soon.

"If I had to name a leader right now, it would be BYU and not just because they offered me. I've liked them for awhile. I'm not Mormon but I don't drink or smoke and I like the honor code they have there and I think I would fin in well there. I'm going to their Junior Day April 15. Oregon, UCLA, Hawaii, Miami, ASU, Texas A&M and Texas Tech are the other schools that I like a lot.

"I'm planning to camp with Oregon and Colorado has also talked to me about going to their junior day. I haven't heard anything from UCLA or USC yet but I just sent them my film yesterday so hopefully I'll hear back from them in the next week or so. I want to take all my visits before committing and I'm not planning to make an early decision. I'm looking for a school where I can get a great education and where I'll get a chance to play early as well."