Palmer off to fast start
Jordan Palmer, the younger brother of USC starting quarterback Carson Palmer, has his Mission Viejo, Calif. team off to a 4-0 start this season, including an impressive 28-14 win over perennial power Mater Dei.
Palmer, who is 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, is in his first year as a varsity starter. He played backup to USC freshman Billy Hart a year ago.
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“I’m just getting the feel of things right now,” Palmer explained. “It’s one of those things where I’m learning a lot on the job.”
Palmer seems to be learning quite well. Mission Viejo is ranked No. 1 in the county and No. 2 in Southern California behind Long Beach Poly.
Even Palmer knows how big Poly’s upcoming matchup with NorCal power Concord De La Salle is this week.
“I tried to get tickets to the game. But they were all sold out and that was last Saturday.”
While he’s interested in the fortunes of others, Palmer is focused on the task at hand. That means continuing to improve as a quarterback so he can help lead his team to a Section Championship and so he can start entertaining the thoughts of playing the position in college.
Mission Viejo plays Anaheim Esperanza, the No. 2 ranked team in the county, this weekend.
Washington, Arizona State, Colorado, Oregon, USC, Cal, Fresno State and Stanford are among the schools who have called him recently. Add UNLV to that list. Rebel head coach John Robinson called the Palmer household last week, but the younger Palmer wasn’t around to take the call.
Despite all of the obvious interest, Palmer has yet to receive his first scholarship offer.
But Palmer, because of the experience he’s gained through his brother, is familiar with the recruiting game.
“All the coaches are waiting on tape from this season. I started as a wide receiver as a junior, so after they see the tape, then we’ll know what’s really going on.”