SoCal ATH joins teammate with early offers

Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure has a pair of players that will be recruited at the national level. Defensive back Michael Williams, a member of the Rivals.com pre-season 100 is one of the two with the other being athlete Blaine Irby who could play a number of positions in college.

Irby, 6-3, 235 pounds is a physical specimen and a big reason the Seraphs finished last season 14-0 and ranked the No. 1 team in the state. The athlete transferred to St. Bonny after the family moved from Phoenix, AZ in the spring of 2005. The move paid immediate dividends for coach Mack and the rest of the program.

"He's just an unbelievable kid," Mack said. "He's so coachable and unselfish. He'll do anything you ask him to- he'll block, play defense, whatever it takes to win. He's not a stat guy who is always asking for the ball. He's just so versatile for us and can play a number of positions. He has a great work ethic and is one of the hardest working players on our team. Combine that with his natural size, strength and speed and it's a pretty good package."

Irby played primarily on offense for the Seraphs and was the teams H-back. He caught 42 balls for 658 yards and seven touchdowns on the season and added 157 yards on 17 carries with three more scores while playing some fullback.

"Just like with Michael, Arizona State and Michigan offered him in writing on Signing Day," Mack said. "He also has a verbal offer from Mississippi and is hearing from UCLA, Arizona, USC, Cal, basically everyone. Every coach that came by said the same thing too- 'when we get his film to our head coach, expect an offer for him.'

"Blaine grew up right by ASU so he was really blown away by that offer. He also really likes Mississippi and how hard they already are recruiting him. He's going to take his time with everything though and I don't think he's in any hurry to make a commitment anywhere yet. The thing with Blaine is he's getting recruited as a tight end, fullback and H-back and schools love his versatility because when you sign someone like him, it's getting three players in one."