Junior To Watch: Dennis Keyes One More

Junior to Watch: Dennis Keyes

School: Van Nuys (Calif.) Birmingham

Position: Defensive Back/Running Back

Size and Speed: Dennis stands 6-foot-1, weighs 180 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. Keyes is also a standout in track running the 110-meter high hurdles in 15.04 seconds as a sophomore. This stellar athlete has recorded 35” vertical jump.

Statistics: This two-way standout could end up playing on the D1 level on either side of the ball. As a running back Dennis rushed for 1,088 yards and scored over 20 TDs. One the defensive side of ball, Keyes recorded over 60 tackles and had 4 interceptions.

Honors: Dennis was selected all-city, all-area and was an all-league performer for the last two seasons.

Favorite Schools: Dennis will be one of the biggest recruits from the Los Angeles area in 2002. Keyes is getting attention from USC, UCLA, LSU, Michigan, Oregon State and Oregon.

The Skinny: On the field, Dennis has no friends, even his teammates. He will drill you if you are in his way to the ball.

“Dennis is a very versatile player,” said Birmingham head coach Ed Crosson. “He has played seven different positions on defense. Dennis played two different defensive line positions, all three linebacker spots as well as corner and safety,” added Crosson.

On offense Dennis reminds many of the running style of Marcus Allen. He’s a slasher and glider who is very difficult to tackle one-on-one.

Whoever signs this young man will have a tough time deciding what side of the football he will play…

The Birmingham Patriots will have a new starting QB this season in Ryan Lombardo. Ryan stands 5-foot-11-inches, weighs 185 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds. Lombardo is transferring in from Newbury Park, Cailf., after being selected all-league for the last two years and was all-county second-team as a junior. Ryan passed for over 1,400 yards in 2001. His brother Chris Lombardo is currently a QB on the Oregon Ducks. Ryan at this time is considered an Ivy League recruit. He currently carries a 3.85 GPA and scored a 1090 in the ninth grade. He is expected to score in the 1400 range when he takes the test this year…