Hilinski could be close to offers

Tyler Hilinski put up big numbers in his junior season and that was especially impressive because he just transferred to Upland, Calif., this year but still had complete control of the offense.

The 2015 quarterback who's still waiting for his first offer threw for 3,053 yards with 34 touchdowns and eight interceptions against some heady competition. He put up especially good numbers in an 86-56 loss to Corona Centennial last weekend in the playoffs.

Playing on a weak knee that he injured the previous week, Hilinski still led the offense and did a lot of good things wrapping up his junior season.

"I talked to the trainer and we have a couple doctors on staff and they think it was a strain," Hilinski said. "I was wearing my knee brace and I think that's what did it but if I wasn't wearing my knee brace the doctor thinks I would have torn a couple things. Thankfully I'm OK.

"Our offense just played so well (against Centennial). I couldn't be happier with them. It seems like our o-line was blocking well, our running backs were doing well and our receivers played outstanding. It really stinks because it was our best offensive performance all year against the second-best team we played. I don't think they were quite as strong as Mater Dei but offensively they were the best team we played all year."

Recruiting has picked up recently for Hilinski, one of the top quarterbacks at the Rivals.com Underclassmen Combine in Dallas last summer. Two schools in particular could be close to offering and the Upland standout said others are sending mail as well.

"I'm pretty close to Cal and ASU," Hilinski said. "I took an unofficial to Cal earlier this year. I went to the game and I talked to coach (Tony) Franklin before the game and I've been talking to him a lot lately. At ASU I've been talking to coach (Mike) Norvell. He's probably my biggest recruiter.

"I've been talking to Duke and Oklahoma as well and then at Wake Forest my dad has been talking to the coaches there."