Gwynn Park is loaded with talent on offense

Brandywine (Md.) Gwynn Park is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. According to head coach Danny Hayes, the team features three prospects to watch on offense.

The player receiving the most interest is 5-foot-11, 180-pound running back Jerel Cole.

"A lot of teams are coming in including Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Michigan State, Maryland and others," he said. "Right now he holds one offer from James Madison.

"I know he really likes Maryland because of the way Ralph Friedgen runs the team, but I don't think there is a favorite."

Last year Cole ran for 769 yards and 11 touchdowns despite missing three games.

"Jerel is just a very elusive player and that's what scouts like," he said. "What makes him standout is that he's very smooth when he gets the ball. He has great moves and also good hands. His speed is exceptional. Seeing him, it's like he's gliding when he runs and is just a very smart player.

"Off the field, he's a very genuine person and a hardworking student. He's a yes sir no sir type of player."

Joining Cole on offense is 5-foot-11, 180-pound wide receiver Ronald Hobby.

"He's the type of guy that'll go up and get the ball," he said. "That's his strongest point, his ability to get open, but he also runs great pass routes. He was our hot wide receiver last year and would catch it any time it was thrown to him. You've also got an NFL guy, Leslie Sheppard as his offensive coordinator."

Hobby hauled in 15 receptions for 439 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.

"He's a very unselfish person in everything he does and is a great student too."

Hobby is receiving interest from Maryland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

The final 2008 prospect on offense to watch is 6-foot-3, 225-pound tight end Chibby Achucko.

"Chibby can go up and get the ball," he said. "His big thing is how high he can get up and he's real strong going to get the ball. He's got great hands and is fast, with a 4.65-second 40-yard dash.

"He's a very smart kid on the field that is hard to cover and makes plays. He makes a lot of players. He's also a very good student with a 3.5 GPA."

Achucko hauled in 11 receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns as a junior.

Schools including Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Maryland and others have shown interest.

Of course, the offense has a 2009 lineman, 6-foot-3, 300-pound offensive guard Raynard Randolph to keep an eye on as well.

"To be honest, I don't like a lot of coaches to know about him yet," he said. "He'll be a junior next year and he is one of the hardest working linemen I've had. He's got good strength, speed and moves.

"He's also a talented defensive lineman that could play either side, but I know he loves pass blocking and is a good run blocker too. He just needs to work on that a bit more and he'll be a great player. More than all that though, he's a very humble kid that doesn't know where his next meal will come from."

Hayes wouldn't go in depth, but states that plenty of schools have already been on Randolph.

"He'll be an early offer player and some head coaches have already asked about him."