SoCal 2010 DT already drawing attention

Inglewood, Calif., high school is reestablishing itself under the guidance of head coach Charles Mincy and recruiting coordinator Khalid Ali as a school that gets their best players to the D-I level. For the class of 2009 Inglewood boasts the big time talent of four-star wide receiver Shaquelle Evans, one of the nation's best and they could have a player who may be just as coveted in 2010.

That player's name is Marcus Howard (6-2, 255, 4.8) who plays on both sides of the ball as a tight end and defensive tackle.

Howard chipped his tooth and though, his tooth is now fixed, his nickname of Chippy remains.

"Chippy is going to help us on both sides of the ball this season," Ali said. "He's going to be like having a senior for years because of the development of his athleticism and his leadership. That's (leadership) a talent too."

"Chippy started as a tight end for us his sophomore season," Ali said. "He caught two touchdowns, but he mostly helped us with his outstanding blocking."

"We featured (Washington Husky Frosh) running back David Freeman on offense so he didn't get a lot of opportunities," Ali said. "One of his touchdowns though came against our archrival Inglewood (Calif.) Morningside."

"Chippy is the ultimate team player," Ali said. "He knows how good he is so he doesn't mind sharing the attention. Not only that, but he can chalk talk with his fellow defensive linemen like he is the facilitator of the meeting."

"It is on defense where Chippy will probably earn his scholarship," Ali said. "You see him on offense he makes catches with his soft hands in traffic and just navigates through traffic."

"On defense at the USC camp last summer, he showed every move possible," Ali said. "He showed that he can bull rush and he even used the swim move."

On the recruiting trail and yes it is very early, he is already getting attention from the likes of Nevada, Fresno State, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon and UCLA.

A very intelligent young man, Howard is already thinking about what he wants in a college.

"Academics are number one," Howard said. "Environment will be number two. That's about all I'm thinking about regarding colleges right now."

"LSU is the team I followed when I was young," Howard said. "I have family back there and it would be nice to play at LSU, but it is way too early for that."