SoCal 09 DT opening eyes
Defensive tackle Noel Beckles (6-2, 285, 5.1) from Los Angeles (Calif.) Verbum Dei is a prospect who is already opening eyes as one of the best interior defensive linemen in Southern California.
"Noel was easily the best interior defensive lineman in our league," Verbum Dei line coach Owen Brown said. "He's a freak. Noel was double teamed on just about every play and he was still able to put pressure on the quarterback.
Advertisement
"The thing about Noel is he has that nasty streak in him when he's on the field," Brown said. "He's a nice kid off the field, but when he steps in between the lines, he's all about business.
"Noel isn't about making friends while on the field," Brown said. "He's about winning.
"Probably the thing I like most about Noel is he's made a 360 in both his character and his work ethic," Brown said. "He's really grown up and getting serious about his future.
"At one time he would hide from us (coaching staff) so he wouldn't have to work out," Brown said. "That has entirely changed, Noel now comes looking for us and the weight room is locked up.
"If Noel continues on this path, he's going to have a big future on the D-I level," Brown said. " He knows that getting it done in the classroom, working hard on the track and in the weight room, will be vital in his progression as a student-athlete and for his senior season.
"Noel is already a regional recruit, but by the end of the summer he could be a national recruit," Brown said. "He potentially can be that good.
"Noel plays both ways as an offensive lineman and defensive lineman," Brown said. "He has no preference which side of the ball he plays on, but I think he projects as a D-Lineman.
"If a college is looking for a player that is mean, aggressive and has a killer instinct on the field, Noel is your guy.
"Despite having a top two, Noel is still very open right now," Brown said. "Arizona and Ole Miss top the field right now, followed closely by UCLA, Florida and Washington.
"Other schools showing interest are Cal, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State Fresno State, Hawai'i, USC, San Diego State and Utah."
As a junior Beckles accounted for 52 tackles, 13 tackles for loss five sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Some have compared Beckles to USC redshirt freshman defensive lineman, DaJohn Harris.