Look Ahead: Big weekend in Mobile
Rivals.com analysts are canvassing the country again this week to check out the top talent in person. Here's where they'll be and where their attention - prospects listed alphabetically - will be focused.
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Analyst: Brian Perroni
Game:Klein (Texas) Collins at Klein (Texas) Oak, Thursday
Top Prospects:
Nicky Baratti Klein Oak, 6-2/190, ATH, 2012 prospect
Baratti moved to quarterback for the Panthers this year after playing safety and running back as a sophomore. Though he has a strong arm, most schools are looking at him as an athlete. He has early offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Mississippi State and Southern Miss.
Greenlea highlightsClick Garrett Greenlea Klein Collins, 6-7/300, OTHere to view this Link.
The Rivals250 offensive tackle is one of the more athletic blockers for his size. A Texas commitment, Greenlea excels in making it to the second level to block linebackers. He will have his hands full with a very good Klein Oak defensive line, though.
Hughes highlightsClick Nathan Hughes Klein Oak, 6-6/263, SDEHere to view this Link.
Hughes was once a pass-rushing specialist who added quite a bit of good weight prior to his junior season. He still has the athleticism and is much better at fighting through blocks. Hughes and Greenlea should provide a good matchup all evening.
Jackson highlightsClick Charles Jackson Klein Collins, 5-11/180, CBHere to view this Link.
Jackson is one of the most impressive prospects on the hoof in Texas. The four-star corner is very strong and can hold his own against bigger receivers. He had a great summer on the camp circuit. Will his play in pads match it?
Lewis highlightsClick Jon Lewis Klein Oak, 6-2/265, DTHere to view this Link.
Lewis is a California transplant who surprised a lot of people with his solid play last year, his first in the state of Texas. A recent Texas Tech pledge, he can play either defensive tackle or defensive end.
Santos highlightsClick David Santos Klein Collins, 6-0/200, OLBHere to view this Link.
Santos is built a bit like a big safety, but he is a force against both the run and the pass. Having pledged to Nebraska, it will be interesting to see how he holds up against the more physical play that is expected in the Big Ten.
Stevenson highlightsClick Max Stevenson Klein Oak, 6-6/240, TEHere to view this Link.
The Oklahoma commit was more of a receiver than a tight end before putting on muscle mass this offseason. With Klein Oak not passing the ball much last year, Stevenson did not have much of a chance to show his hands in games. How will he do now with Baratti under center?
Quick Kicks:
This is a neighborhood rivalry that was mostly one-sided until last year. Klein Collins went undefeated in the regular season and kept perennial power Klein Oak out of the playoffs. Collins is known for defense while Oak has been one of the better offensive teams in the Houston area. There is a lot on the line for both teams in their first district game of the year.
Analyst: Barry Every
Game: Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep at Chandler (Ariz.), Thursday
Top Prospects:
Zach Hemmila Chandler, 6-3/275, OG, 2012 prospect
This underclassmen already has three Pac-10 offers, from Arizona, Arizona State, and Oregon State. Is he a national-level recruit?
Hundley highlightsClick Brett Hundley Chandler, 6-4/210, DQBHere to view this Link.
The Rivals250 prospect is committed to UCLA. Is Hundley the type of dual-threat quarterback that can take over a game with his feet and arm at the next level?
Quick Kicks:
This game should be a real dandy as last season Brophy Prep beat Chandler 27-26 in overtime on a missed extra point. … Brophy coach Scooter Molander came into this season with a 54-13 record and two state championships under his belt (2005, 2007). Noted alumnus is starting safety Ray Polk of the Colorado Buffaloes. … Chandler coach Jim Ewan has led the Wolves to a 39-20 record over the past five seasons, getting as far as the semifinals last season before bowing out to crosstown rival Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton.
Analyst: Barton Simmons
Game: Prichard (Ala.) Blount at Mobile (Ala.) Williamson, Thursday
Top Prospects:
Kelton Brackett Blount, 5-11/170, DB, 2012 prospect
Brackett had a very strong offseason and could be the next major recruit out of a talented program. What kind of impact can he have in a must-win game on either side of the ball? Can he show physicality at safety in a slightly undersized frame?
Antonio Marsh Blount, 6-2/198, OLB
After picking up a couple of early verbal offers, Marsh's recruitment has cooled significantly even after a very strong camp and combine season. With a strong effort in pads, that recruitment could pick up in a big way. Marsh has shown he can cover and run through the camp circuit. He will need to show that he can be a physical presence as well.
Quick Kicks:
A brutal early schedule has led to a 1-3 start for Blount so it will be looking to get on track against a Williamson team that is also off to a 1-3 itself. … Both programs are traditionally loaded with talent. Recent Williamson products include USM wide receiver Mujahid Assad, Auburn defensive lineman Nick Fairley (following a juco stop), and former Auburn commit Terrance Coleman (who is now being recruited as a juco defensive end). … Recent Blount products include Tennessee defender Willie Bohannon, Auburn linebacker Jonathan Evans and current Alabama freshman safety Jarrick Williams. … One name for the future that I will be keeping my eye on for Williamson will be sophomore quarterback Quinterrius Toppings.
Analyst: Brian Perroni
Game: El Campo (Texas) at Angleton (Texas), Friday
Top Prospects:
Cassidy highlightsClick Trey Cassidy Angleton, 6-3/270, OGHere to view this Link.
Angleton always seems to have an abundance of skill position players but it is rare for it to produce a top-flight lineman. This Colorado State commit is apparently the exception.
Diggs highlightsClick Quandre Diggs Angleton, 5-10/188, ATHHere to view this Link.
Diggs does more for his team than perhaps any other player in the state. The Texas commit plays quarterback, running back, cornerback, safety and returns kicks and punts. The younger brother of former Longhorn Quentin Jammer, the Rivals100 athlete has the bloodlines to be special.
Hunt highlightsClick Joey Hunt El Campo, 6-3/270, DT, 2012 prospectHere to view this Link.
Hunt played both ways for the Ricebirds last year but his future is clearly at defensive tackle. He has one offer from Rice with interest from all the major programs in the region.
Ryan Jackson Angleton, 5-11/180, ATH, 2012 prospect
Jackson teams with Diggs in the backfield to take some pressure off the senior. He is averaging more than 8.0 yards per carry and has rushed for nearly 500 yards in four games this season.
Webster Jones Angleton, 6-0/200, ILB, 2012 prospect
Jones is a fast linebacker that could also end up as a safety at the next level.
Quick Kicks:
Both of these teams reside on the outskirts of the Greater Houston region and both usually make deep playoff runs. Both are young squads this season. Angleton is the newcomer to the district this year and this is its first test.
Analyst: Barry Every
Game: Phoenix (Ariz.) Desert Vista at Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton, Friday
Top Prospects:
Tyler Johnstone Hamilton, 6-6/260, OT
Looking to see if the Oregon commit has gained any weight since the Los Angeles Nike Camp. Does he have as much long-term ability as his teammate, Christian Westerman?
Westerman highlightsClick Christian Westerman Hamilton, 6-5/288, OTHere to view this Link.
Does the Texas commit project at either offensive tackle position? He's currently a four-star, but can he dominate a game like a five-star?
Quick Kicks:
Desert Vista coach Dan Hinds comes into the contest 32-26 over the past five seasons with an appearance in the 2007 state championship game. … Noted Desert Vista alumnus is staring USC middle linebacker and former five-star recruit Devon Kennard. … Hamilton coach Steve Belles is one of the most successful coaches in the country, coming into this season with a 52-3 record and three 5A state titles. … Hamilton's most noted football alumnus is three-time NFL Pro Bowl selection and current Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs.
Analyst: Barton Simmons
Game: Mobile (Ala.) Davidson at Mobile (Ala.) McGill-Toolen, Friday
Top Prospects:
Cunningham highlightsClick Rashad Cunningham Davidson, 6-4/200, WRHere to view this Link.
Cunningham has great size but wasn't very heavily recruited until he accepted an offer from Kentucky. He shows some good ability vertically on film but is still largely an unknown. Did Kentucky find a real steal in Cunningham or was it a reach to help maintain a presence in a talented region?
Niles highlightsClick JaBrian Niles Davidson, 6-2/270, SDEHere to view this Link.
Niles - an Auburn commit - is a unique player. At his size he best projects as a 3-4 defensive end but could play inside. On film, he sometimes doesn't show up as much as you'd like so Friday night I'll be looking to see what kind of consistent effort he plays with and see if he has the athleticism that you need to show as a 6-2 lineman.
Taylor highlightsClick Alphonse Taylor Davidson, 6-6/330, DT, 2012 prospectHere to view this Link.
Taylor is a massive kid with phenomenal feet for a player that size. Will he play with a consistent effort level at that size and how does his body project? He has already shown that in bursts, he has the athleticism to be special.
Quick Kicks:
For McGill-Toolen, Preston Messer has been a very solid quarterback prospect that is hamstrung by his limited height at 6-1. He certainly has a lot of ability and will be somebody to watch as a potential sleeper. … Davidson may have the early edge as the best team in the Mobile area with an undefeated record. Included in that record is a 48-18 victory over Vigor and wins over LeFlore and Blount. … Along with Messer, McGill-Toolen boasts an athletic sophomore in Jason Smith, a definite name to watch.
Analyst: Brian Perroni
Game: Houston Westside vs. Houston Westbury, Saturday at Butler Stadium
Top Prospects:
Benjamin Catalon Westside, 5-8/180, ARB, 2012 prospect
Catalon saw very few reps as a sophomore but he had a great spring and a solid summer at camps. Colleges have taken notice and the speedster has an early offer from Tulsa. He catches the ball well out of the backfield and is the team's leading receiver so far this season.
Deante' Gray Westside, 5-10/180, WR, 2012 prospect
Though not a very big receiver, Gray put up big numbers from his slot position as a sophomore. He was the Wolves' go-to receiver in third-and-long situations last year and he has continued his production during his junior year.
Germain Ifedi Westside, 6-5/304, OG, 2012 prospect
The mammoth lineman did not suit up for the varsity squad a year ago but, like Catalon, he had a very strong spring that saw him earn an offer from Tulsa.
Christian Okafor Westbury, 6-6/300, OT, 2012 prospect
The younger brother of Texas Tech offensive lineman Mickey Okafor, he is one of the better junior linemen in the Houston area this season.
Quick Kicks:
Houston Independent School District is the largest in the state, but it does not usually produce much talent. However, these two schools are the exception. Their junior classes are testament to that fact. Westbury has seen players sign with Texas, Houston, Colorado State and Texas Tech in recent years. Westside has had prospects sign with LSU, TCU, Utah, Oklahoma State, Memphis and Connecticut.
Analyst: Adam Gorney
Game: Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman at Concord (Calif.) De La Salle, Saturday
Top Prospects:
Grimble highlightsClick Jalen Grimble Bishop Gorman, 6-4/255, DEHere to view this Link.
The Rivals250 defensive end finished with 62 tackles and five sacks last season and will have a chance to lead his team against one of the nation's most respected programs. Grimble committed to USC in May. After a season-opening loss, Grimble and the Bishop Gorman defense have only allowed 13 points.
Houston highlightsClick Bart Houston De La Salle, 6-3/186, QB, 2012 prospectHere to view this Link.
Houston has thrown for 367 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions and has also rushed for two scores this season but he hasn't yet faced a defense like this. How will the junior fare in his toughest test so far this season?
Patterson highlightsClick A.C. Patterson Bishop Gorman, 6-0/299, OLHere to view this Link.
Patterson is a big body and one of the better linemen on the West Coast but he will be significantly tested in this matchup. Linebacker Blake Renaud and defensive end Dylan Wynn are a lot to handle. Will Patterson and the rest of Gorman's offensive line match up?
Powell highlightsClick Shaquille Powell Bishop Gorman, 5-10/185, RB, 2012 prospectHere to view this Link.
Powell has emerged as one of the top 2012 prospects on the West Coast. He has more than 500 rushing yards already this season. Will the junior be able to gain yards against a stout De La Salle defense that has given up only 21 points in two victories?
Renaud highlightsClick Blake Renaud De La Salle, 6-2/233, LBHere to view this Link.
Renaud is one of the best inside linebackers in Northern California and together with Wynn form one of the best one-two punches in the state. How will the Boise State commit handle Gorman's attack which has 38, 48 and 63 in the last three weeks?
Wynn highlightsClick Dylan Wynn De La Salle, 6-3/234, DEHere to view this Link.
Wynn is a ferocious, hard-nosed competitor who's undersized at defensive end but, because he plays with such toughness, could excel at the position. The Oregon State commit is also a team leader who should have De La Salle ready for this matchup. The Spartans haven't faced a back like Powell yet. How will they contain him?
Zeger highlightsClick Evan Zeger Bishop Gorman, 6-2/200, DBHere to view this Link.
Originally from Sammamish (Wash.) Skyline, Zeger transferred to Bishop Gorman and is a leader in its secondary. Zeger committed to Washington in early March. He will be tested in this matchup because De La Salle has one of the top 2012 quarterbacks in California with Bart Houston.
Quick Kicks:
After a 24-17 loss to Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton in the season opener, Bishop Gorman has outscored its opponents 149-13 in its last three victories. … From 1992 to 2003, De La Salle did not lose a game, a streak of 151 victories. … Many believed Wynn and Renaud were going to commit together to Oregon State but after Renaud visited Boise State he decided it was the best fit for him.
Analyst: Barton Simmons
Game: Prichard (Ala.) Vigor vs. Mobile (Ala.) Murphy at Ladd Stadium, Saturday
Top Prospects:
Eric Dixon Vigor, 5-11/175, CB
Dixon has seen his recruitment pick up, adding an offer from Kentucky and Louisville. Last year he was one of many talented athletes on both sides of the ball at Vigor. This year Dixon has an opportunity to emerge as one of the premiere athletes in the region. Dixon will have an opportunity to show that he is an SEC-level defensive back.
Kyles highlightsClick Paul Kyles Vigor 6-2/243, TE, 2012Here to view this Link.
Kyles picked up a verbal offer from Auburn the spring before his sophomore year and went on to have a productive season last fall. This fall, Kyles has a chance to further assert himself in the Vigor offense. He is a tweener from a size perspective at 6-foot-2 so Kyles will need to show that either he can overcome that and be a presence, or he can be a physical in-line blocker that could double as a fullback on the next level.
Philon highlightsClick Darius Philon Vigor, 6-0/255, WDE, 2012Here to view this Link.
Philon had an explosive spring showing scary potential for the future. At only 6-foot, Philon needs to be explosive at the line of scrimmage and needs to be a serious disruptor. Can Philon be the next major Vigor superstar? He will have a chance to make his case.
Shinn highlightsClick Marvin Shinn Vigor, 6-3/180, WRHere to view this Link.
A Rivals100 commit and part of a loaded Alabama class, Shinn was good last year and showed a lot of upside but was also raw, inconsistent and sometimes not very physical. Shinn had a phenomenal spring game and showed that he may be ready to take his game to the next level. I'm anxious to see if that is the case.
Williams highlightsClick Thomas Williams Vigor, 6-4/290, OTHere to view this Link.
Size is certainly not an issue with Williams. He has an impressive physique and looks as if he can project into a major college lineman. He has to show that he isn't content just getting in the way of defenders but instead wants to be a dominating presence on the line.
Quick Kicks:
Vigor is only one season removed from an undefeated state championship in 2008. With a loaded team, another state championship is not out of the question despite an early loss to Davidson. Vigor's top offensive threat is Shinn and though he was forced into a quarterback role some of last season, he looks to have settled back into a full-time wide receiver role as a senior and has already been tough to contain. … Vigor boasts a few freshmen already making impacts. Keonte McCants is a big body as a tight end, running back Roberto Barron is cousin to Alabama's All-American safety Mark Barron and Sam Green is a cornerback with a lot of ability. All three start for the talented Vigor team.
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