Sleeper WR opening eyes
Even at this late stage of the season sleeper prospects emerge. Division I schools are beginning to take notice of wide receiver Eric Avriette (6-0, 185, 4.45) from Palm Springs, Calif. Until 2003 Palm Springs was primarily an option team so Avirette flew under the radar.
Palm Springs has pretty good sophomore quarterback in Scott Saunders and that has allowed for the Indians to throw the ball.
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The new emphasis on the pass has made a star out of Avriette. For the season, Avriette has 32 receptions, 845 yards and 10 ten touchdowns with a long of 76 yards.
Avriette is a very versatile athlete who has even played some corner of late and the opposition has found out that Avriette is a pretty good blanket cover corner.
On offense, Avriette has the unbelievable knack for making incredible catches in the air. He is has a 38-inch vertical and he uses it.
“Our quarterback knows that he can throw the ball high and in coverage,” Palm Springs quarterback coach Scott Saunders said. “And Eric will out leap everyone and come down with the ball.”
“Eric is very much disciplined when running routes,” Saunders said. “We grade how our receivers run their patterns and Eric always grades out with an A+.”
“Even in practice,” Saunders said. “He runs all his patterns 110%.”
“Eric can stop on a dime and then accelerate,” Saunders said. “He can stop and then go full speed in no time at all.”
“UNLV and Boise State are the first two teams to take notice,” Saunders said. “We expect a lot more when colleges find out about Eric’s explosive speed. Then there will be a lot more schools at the gate.”