Rivals Recap: Southern California
GARDENA,Calif.-ArizonacommitKhalilTatewasabsolutelyspectacularasheledSerrabacktoa41-38victoryoverLaPuente(Calif.)BishopAmatFridaynightwithassistantcoachesfromUSCandUCLAlookingon.
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Iwasimpressedwith...
Tateissuchaunique,excitingquarterbackwhohasproventomakehugeplaysoutofnothinganddidsomultipletimesinSerra'swinonFridaynight.
TheArizonapledgeconnectedwithfellowfour-starBrandonBurtonontwoearlytouchdownreceptionsandthenTatedidsomemarvelousthingswithhisfeettocapturetheattentionofeveryoneatthestadium.
Tatehadtouchdownrunsof83and14yards-aperfectmixtureofexcellentspeedandpower.TheSerrastandoutdoesanexcellentjoboffeelingwherethereissomespaceandthenblastingthroughitforbiggains.
Hisfinaltouchdownrun,some50yardsafterescapingthegraspofthreeAmatdefendersinthebackfield,washisbesthighlightsinceitwasthegamewinnerandreallyshowedhisescapeabilityandfeelforpressureinthepocket.
Arguablyhismostimpressiveplayallgame,though,wascalledbackbecauseofholding.ScramblingtowardthesidelinenearmidfieldandbeingchasedbyAmatdefenders,Tatefiredtheballacrosshisbody,acrossthefield,andhitareceiverforwhatwould'vebeenaspectaculartouchdowngrab.Itreallyshowedoffhisarmstrengthaswell.
Burton,thetop-ratedathleteinCalifornia,reallyshowedoffhowhecouldbeusedonbothsidesofthefootball.
Hisfirsttouchdown,a39-yardgrab,wasnice,butitwasBurton'ssecondscorethatwassuperimpressive.Thefour-starbeatUCLAcommitChrisGaston,madeamovetoslipawayfromhim,thendodgedotherdefendersanddivedintotheendzoneforascore.
Ondefense,Burtonrunssideline-to-sidelineandcoverssomuchgroundsowell.Hecancoverthedeeppassorcomeupandputhishelmetintheretogetagoodshotontheballcarrier.
TherehasbeenalotoftalkaboutBishopAmatrunningbackTorreahnoSweetClickIwassurprisedby...HeretoviewthisLink.andhedefinitelybackedthingsuponFriday.
The5-foot-10,196-poundbackscoredfourtouchdowns-a40-yardscreenpassandthreeshortrushes-andprovedheisdefinitelyundertheradarinSouthernCalifornia.
Apparently,IdahomightbeclosetoofferingandUtahClickHeretoviewthisLink.hasbeenshowingsomeinterest.SomeprogramisgoingtolandSweetandtheywillbegettingsomeonewhocouldbeacontributorinthebackfield.
Wole BetikuClick Here to view this Link. was much more active and did a nice job of getting to the backfield to make plays.
In only his second year of playing football, the four-star defensive end continues to learn his position and he was especially aggressive coming off the edge on Friday night.
Earlier in the season, Betiku would engage with the offensive lineman and couldn't get off blocks well. But he continues to develop an inside move, he can get to the edge because of his athleticism and the four-star also plays with ferocity.
UCLAClick Recruiting thoughts...Here to view this Link. fans are not going to like this but Betiku continues to show a lot of interest in USCClick Recruiting thoughts...Here to view this Link. and even attended its game against WashingtonClick Recruiting thoughts...Here to view this Link. on Thursday night.
Betiku made it clear that the Bruins are still his favorite and that his commitment still stands but two sources said that the four-star is serious about the Trojans especially if he can play defensive end and if he gets more comfortable with the defense.
Burton still plans to take all his official visits (he has already been to OklahomaClick This is not the first time this rumor has been discussed around Serra. Months ago, Betiku expressed interest in USC but ended up making his pledge to the Bruins. This could just be innocent interest in a local program but others say it's more.Here to view this Link., is at Florida StateClick This is not the first time this rumor has been discussed around Serra. Months ago, Betiku expressed interest in USC but ended up making his pledge to the Bruins. This could just be innocent interest in a local program but others say it's more.Here to view this Link. this weekend and Notre DameClick This is not the first time this rumor has been discussed around Serra. Months ago, Betiku expressed interest in USC but ended up making his pledge to the Bruins. This could just be innocent interest in a local program but others say it's more.Here to view this Link., Ohio StateClick This is not the first time this rumor has been discussed around Serra. Months ago, Betiku expressed interest in USC but ended up making his pledge to the Bruins. This could just be innocent interest in a local program but others say it's more.Here to view this Link. and AlabamaClick This is not the first time this rumor has been discussed around Serra. Months ago, Betiku expressed interest in USC but ended up making his pledge to the Bruins. This could just be innocent interest in a local program but others say it's more.Here to view this Link. are all planned) but sources say UCLA will probably be tough to beat.
The Bruins have heavily recruited Burton for a long time, they could give him a chance on both sides of the ball, and the location is ideal. Others could definitely inch in there but UCLA is probably out in front right now.
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