Junior tight end is the real deal
When you are a tight end and have been compared to the likes of Kellen Winslow, Sr., and Marcedes Lewis it is never too early to introduce to Rivals.com subscribers to a player with such heady praise. This outstanding student athlete could be one of the most sought after prospects from Southern California for the class of 2007.
The player in question is tight end phenom, Nate Chandler (6-5, 225, 4.7) from San Diego (Calif.) Mira Mesa.
Advertisement
Chandler is a great all-around athlete who besides football; plays basketball and baseball.
"Nate is a great young man," Mira Mesa offensive coordinator Chris Thompson said. "Whenever you see him, he's smiling ear-to-ear."
"Nate is really tenacious about football and everything he does," Thompson said. "He's has only been playing football for two years and he already has a great knowledge for the game."
"A lot of tight ends like to catch the ball but Nate is a great run blocker first," Thompson said. "He really likes that part of the game."
"The play that sparked our football team this season was when Nate took a little boot-drag route, steam rolled two guys and scored a touchdown," Thompson said. "That play sparked our season and set the tone for the type of season we are having."
"That play also opened Nate's eyes into believing that he is the football player we have told him he is," Thompson said. "I think Nate will be one of the top, if not the top, tight end in the nation in 2006."
"You could put Nate in an USC uniform right now and he would still be one of the best looking kids on the field," Thompson said. "He plays as good as he looks."
"You will never be disappointed with Nate's effort, whether in the classroom or the football field," Thompson said. "Remember this is only his second year of football and it's unbelievable how much he's learned."
"Nate isn't even close to tapping his potential," Thompson said. "He's a good student, too. He's one of those kids that you love to be around."
Both UCLA and USC already know all about this talented tight end. Chandler already went to USC's summer camp and UCLA invited him and he attended the ASU game.
Chandler is best friends with senior quarterback and Boise State bound Mike Coughlin. San Diego State is also already interested in Chandler.
"Nate is a UCLA or USC caliber player," Thompson said. "He could very easily end up at one of those two schools. He's going to be a major recruit next year."
For the record, Mira Mesa will play in the semi-final game this Friday (Dec. 2) against El Cajon (Calif.) El Cajon Valley. Mira Mesa currently stands at 9-1-1 their only loss came at the hands of powerhouse Long Beach (Calif.) Poly.