San Diego sleeper getting noticed

There are several reasons why a worthy player flies beneath the recruiting radar. One is when an athlete transfers from the school or moves out of the area. Another is when there is a coaching change at the high school and that may be the reason that cornerback Sam Macias (6-0, 185, 4.5) from San Diego (Calif.) Saint Augustine.

Macias has the things that you look for in a D-I cornerback prospect, he has good size so he can cover the bigger more physical wide receivers of today and the speed to stay with the faster wide outs.

Arizona State and San Diego State are ahead of the curve on Macias as he is already on their radar.

As a junior, Macias earned second-team all-league honors after racking up 50 tackles and six interceptions.

A noted hard worker, Macias currently benches 265, squats 405, power cleans 215 and has recorded a 34-inch vertical.

Macias also plays baseball and some soccer.

Rolando Garcia, an assistant coach at Saint Augustine had the following to say about Macias.

"Sam has really good hands and has great vision," Garcia said. "He plays the ball exceedingly well when it is in the air."

"We always put Sam on the opposition's best receiver," Garcia said. "He had three picks in one game against San Diego (Calif.) Lincoln."

"Sam is very flexible and athletic, but most importantly he very coachable," Garcia said. "He's a sponge. He takes what he learns and adapts it quickly and uses it in games.

"When you add how coachable he is, his smarts and his athleticism," Garcia said. "You his best days as a football player are ahead of him."

What is Macias looking for in a college?

"Academics is first," Macias said. "Then the size of the campus and the prestige of the school's overall athletics. Facilities will be another consideration."