Oaks Christian is where the talent is

If you're a recruiting junkie, you definitely know about the big three at Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian. Quarterback Jimmy Clausen, running back Marc Tyler and safety Marshall Jones are all top 50 recruits nationally and arguably among the top five prospects in the state for the class of 2007. In addition to those three however, Oaks has five other players with early scholarship offers and here's a breakdown on each.

The way it works at Oaks is the school doesn't count an offer as an official one until it comes to the school in writing. Then head coach Bill Redell writes the school on a big board in the football office so it's easy to track who has been offered and by whom. Here's a breakdown on the schools other five standouts as well as coach Redell's take on where the big three are leaning right now.

Sean Wiser, 6-2, 185 WR- Just watched his film and loved it. In fact, we would rank Wiser among the top five WRs in the state. Has good size, great hands, runs well and is very good after the catch. Also a good student and had 40 catches for over 1,000 yards last season.

Redell- 'He has offers from Oregon, Oregon State, Kentucky, Mississippi. Sean is a great player and one of the better receivers around.'

Anthony Gildon, 6-1, 185 DB- Great film as well, can cover and is very physical. Will come up and hit you but has the speed to run with just about anyone.

Redell- 'Kentucky and Mississippi have offered and Oregon State has verbally offered and is sending the written offer. Anthony is a great corner and a better player for us than Aaron Ware, another very good corner we had a couple of years ago. He's a three year starter and can really play.'

Michael Ebbitt, 6-5, 250 OL-DL- Plays on both sides of the ball but projects as a defensive lineman in college. Nice frame, high motor guy who can get up the field and is relentless.

Redell- 'Tennessee and Arizona have offered and a few others are close. Michael is strong and very tough. I know he likes the South and would bet he'll be leaving the area to play his college ball.'

Casey Matthews, 6-1, 205 LB- Very smart player, coach on the field. Sure tackler who can run and makes plays from sideline to sideline.

Redell- 'Tennessee is still the only offer. Casey is a very good player but I think some schools may think his size could be a concern. I think that's why some of the local schools have yet to offer but everyone is watching him right now and I'm sure more will come in.

Duke Lemmens, 6-3, 215 DL- A speed rusher and very good at using his hands. Can get up the field and will be a three year starter next year. Earned all-state underclass honors the past two seasons.

Redell- 'Utah and Oregon have both offered and he'll have several more. He's a speed rusher and very good at coming off the edge.

As for where Clausen, Tyler and Jones are leaning, Redell has been pretty consistent in telling us he feels Notre Dame is a strong leader for Clausen, USC for Tyler and Jones has work to do academically or it won't matter where he wants to go. He echoed those comments this morning.

"I think Jimmy really likes the opportunity at Notre Dame and they have done a great job recruiting him. USC is there too but right now, I would be surprised if he goes anywhere other than Notre Dame. With Marc, I know he wants to stay local and USC is his top choice right now. He'll take his trips and have his fun but it will come down to USC and UCLA. I think if UCLA really pushed hard, they could get him but right now, I think his heart is at USC.

"With Marshall, he really has a lot of work to do academically. He's a great player and as talented as anyone but he needs to make up some classes and really finish up strong his senior year in the classroom if he wants to go anywhere."