Inland Empire Athlete lands No. 1
Athlete Aaron Almond (5-11, 200, 4.5) from Pomona (Calif.) Diamond Ranch is one of many who have benefited by attending the Beyond 2000 Elite (B2G) private workouts. He looks to be another in a long line of B2G athletes destined to the D-I level. He recently received his first offer.
Ron Allen with Henry Bell founded B2G over a decade ago and has helped student athletes achieve their dream of playing college football. Allen comments on Almond.
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"Aaron is an athlete," Allen said. "He plays running back on offense and he's a safety on defense. He can definitely get it done on both sides of the ball, but I think his college position is going to be as a strong safety.
"Aaron is a physical specimen," Allen said. "He's a lot like (Florida freshman) Joshua Shaw in that he is amazingly cut up and muscular.
"Aaron is thicker in the legs than Josh (Shaw), but definitely has the same kind of presence where he passes the eye test immediately," Allen said. "It's not all about looks either, he can play. He's fast and good feet.
"Aaron is very instinctive and he's polishing up on those skills," Allen said. "He knows where he needs to be on field.
"Week to week, we have been seeing improving on his understanding of what it is like being the quarterback on the defense," Allen said. "His football IQ is really increasing.
"A little stiff in the hips, but Aaron's speed really makes up for it," Allen said. "He's just a really good athlete who is going to be a versatile asset to Diamond Ranch's arsenal this season.
"San Jose State has tendered an offer," Allen said. "It is his first one so he's really excited. I think he's going to get a lot more.
"I think San Jose State is just the start," Allen said. "Kind of similar when Josh (Shaw) first received his offers from San Diego State and Washington early, Aaron is going to be sought after by some of the nation's best programs before too long.
"Aaron has that same kind of intensity and dedication to his craft that Josh (Shaw) has," Allen said. "Josh came to us a little stiff in the hips and wasn't necessarily up to par to where he is now.
"Almond has that same dedication," Allen said. "I think he his dad has military background so Aaron has that dedication and military discipline to improving and getting the job done. He does everything you ask without complaint and that makes coaching him a lot easier."
Besides San Jose State, local schools UCLA, USC and San Diego State are looking at him. Like Allen said this is only the beginning.
"I think Aaron is going to get five or six Pac 10 offers before it's all said and done," Allen said. "He's that kind of player."