Juco running back dialed in on two
Santa Clarita (Calif.) College of the Canyons has recently developed a reputation as a school that produces solid running backs and this season should be no different as Brandon Clayton figures to be the top horse in the stable.
Clayton was primarily used in the second half of games last season when the Cougars finished 14-0, winning the state title over perennial powerhouse City College of San Francisco. Recruitment is underway from UNLV along with Purdue. He expects to take a trip to UNLV in December.
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"They seem really interested," Clayton said. "They've even hinted toward me coming in and playing right away and contributing."
Clayton is 5-foot-8, 172 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds. He was also timed in the pro shuttle at 3.97 seconds. He finished the 2004 season with 530 yards rushing on 102 carries and seven touchdowns.
Clayton was an academic qualifier out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, and was recruited by Northern Arizona and Louisiana-Monroe out of high school. UNLV recruiting coordinator Gary Bernardi is a former coach from Northern Arizona and has been after Clayton since high school.
"Coach Gary Bernardi has been recruiting me since high school," Clayton said. "But I want to check out both UNLV and Purdue.
Clayton comes from good blood lines as his uncle Ralph Clayton was the 19th pick in the 2nd round for the New York Jets out of Michigan in 1980. His father Julius Clayton also played running back at the University of New Mexico.
Clayton says his dream schools are USC and Arizona State right now, but for very different reasons.
"I was always a USC fan growing up," Clayton said. "But I'm also interested in Arizona State because my family is relocating to Arizona pretty soon."
Clayton and College of the Canyons will open the 2005 season on the road at Chaffey College on September 3.