Four-star showcases versatility

Four-star prospect Josh Shirley (6-2, 225, 4.53) from Fontana (Calif.) Kaiser is proving his versatility as he has spent time at both linebacker and defensive end during the first three games of his season. Shirley and his teammates are currently standing at 2-1 and will be hooking up against a talented Ontario (Calif.) Colony (3-1) team at home Friday Evening.

"My season is going pretty good," Shirley said. "I just had a new move to linebacker, getting a few reps in there. It is going really good.

"I did pretty good at linebacker," Shirley said. "I had 12 tackles, four quarterback hurries, three sacks, and a blocked punt."

One the reasons that prompted Shirley's move to linebacker was, he was getting double and tripled teamed on almost every play. By moving him to second level it gave him the opportunity to play in space and make plays. So far so good.

On the recruiting trail, the talented hybrid defensive end/linebacker has taken one official visit to Washington, when the Huskies upset USC.

"My visit to Washington was really good," Shirley said. "It was really nice. The atmosphere was really good and you can't beat the way the game went.

"The fans were cool, they were really good," Shirley said. "Everybody was all for the team. The game was in the rain and everybody was tailgating," Shirley said.

"The weather was kind of weird," Shirley said. "One minute it would be rainy and the next minute the sun was shining. It's cool though. It was not pouring rain, it was a little sprinkle.

"I don't have any other visits set up," Shirley said. "My trip to Washington was a last minute visit and it was a game that I wanted to see.

Though Shirley enjoyed Washington he did not commit, but the Huskies are definitely a consideration for services.

"Like I said, I have the eight schools that I'm considering," Shirley said. "I'm still thinking over if I will take visits to schools in California or not.

Besides Washington; Arizona, California, UCLA, USC, Miami, Tennessee and Notre Dame round out Shirley's top eight schools right now.

While Shirley is not sure if he will visit his two local schools, UCLA or USC, he is planning on taking in games of both schools, before the season is over, he just doesn't know what games yet.

Shirley's phone is ringing off the hook as he is getting weekly phone calls from all eight of his top schools and others that want to be.

The multi-talented Shirley is being recruited by schools to play both linebacker and to play with his hand down as a defensive end.

Does Shirley have a specific date in mind for his decision?

"Whenever it feels right," Shirley said. "I've been thinking later on, after the season and after I take all my visits. That's most likely when the decision will be after I take all of my visits. Sometime in January right around my birthday."

Shirley was selected to the Rivals.com Rivals250 for the class of 2010 landing as the nation's 119 prospect at any position. He also earned a spot on the Rivals.com California Preseason Top 100 as the Golden State's No. 19 player at any position.