NorCal DB Has Early Offer

Over the last few years, no school out West has produced more quality defensive backs than Fresno (Calif.) Edison. Bernard Hicks (Cal), Clifton Smith (Fresno State), Lorenzo Sims (Colorado) and Aaron Miller (Oklahoma) all came out of Edison and all were rated among the top corners in the state. Next year's top dog will be Robert Peele and according to his coach, he could be the best of all of them.

Peele, 5-11, 180 pounds had a strong junior season earning 2nd team All-State honors after totaling 71 tackles (tops on the team) and two interceptions. Edison finished the year 10-1-1 with their only loss coming in the Yosemite Division Small School semifinals.

"Bernard (Hicks) was a great player for us but he can't touch Robert," Edison head coach Tim McDonald said. "He's a very gifted player and will be one of the best players we've had here. I think by the time he's finished, he'll be better than all of our corners, including Aaron (Miller) and Clifton (Smith)."

McDonald was a former All-American safety at USC and All-Pro with the Cardinals and 49ers so he obviously knows a little something about playing defensive back. Cal was the first out of the gate with a scholarship offer and the Bears are the current leaders for Peele.

"I also like UCLA, Washington, Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State and Ohio State," Peele said. "Cal offered me halfway through my junior season and they're a strong program. I want to go through the recruiting process though and don't have any plans to commit early. I'm just going to see who else is interested and then go from there."