SoCal athlete makes plays in many ways

Running back/wide receiver/return man Teondray Caldwell (5-10, 190, 4.5) from Los Angeles (Calif.) Venice is about to blow up. He is already hearing from some of the nation's top football programs coast-to-coast. Venice head coach Angelo Gasca has a number of reasons why.

"Teondray is an incredible player," Gasca said. "He is super explosive and has great break away ability. He's just a really, really good player and I think he's going to be a very heavily recruited young man.

"Teondray just makes big plays," Gasca said. "He has the ability to elude, run through you, he has great vision and balance.

"Another thing about Teondray is he's a hard worker," Gasca said. "His speed is always improving. He currently is running in the 4.5's but he runs away from people. He just has that knack for making big plays and he has really good game speed.

"Teondray is along the lines of (USC freshman running back) Curtis McNeal that they have that big play ability," Gasca said. "Like I said I think he's going to end up being a national recruit.

"I know Florida is very interested in him," Gasca said. "I've talked to (Florida assistant coach) Brian White, who I have known for quite awhile and believe it or not, (Clemson running back) C.J. Spiller watch his tape on UTube and said, 'we have to get this guy to Clemson.'

"I wouldn't want to say he's as good a player as Percy Harvin, but he's that kind of player," Gasca said. "Like Harvin, he has the ability to be a top-notch receiver or running back and he run back either kick.

"Some guys can't catch punts, but they can run back kickoffs," Gasca said. "It's a little different running back punts or kickoffs because of the way they come at you and he can do both equally well.

"Teondray can impact a team in so many ways," Gasca said. "So I compare him to Percy Harvin only in that respect, I would never say my guy is as good as Harvin, but he is that type of player because of his size, speed and strength.

"Teondray can really get out there and do positive things at different positions and he's physical," Gasca said. "I like Teondray a lot."

And why not? Players like Caldwell add IQ points to a coach's intelligence and helps them win games.

Caldwell earned League Athlete of the Year, first-team all-league and second-team all-city as a junior after rushing for 400 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 8.5 yards per carry. He was deadly as a receiver, hauling in 51 receptions for 776 yards and eight touchdown catches while averaging 15.2 yards per catch.

On special teams, Caldwell was more than special, he was great. He returned 23 punts for 453 yards, with a long return of 85 yards and scored two touchdowns while averaging an outstanding 17.4 yards per punt return. He returned eight kickoffs for 325 yards and one touchdown that he returned 98 yards for the score. He averaged 40.6 yards per kick return.

While playing some defense, Caldwell accounted for 17 tackles and had one pick.

With a guy with the ability to do so many good things on football field the question is where does Caldwell end up playing on the collegiate level.

"Teondray wants to play running back in college, but he had over 50 catches as a receiver last season," Gasca said. "He's also a very good corner and safety where utilizes his big hitting ability, but I like him with the ball in his hands more than anything because he can change the game and score from anywhere on the field.

"I think once all the services see him and before it is all over, he will have four or five stars," Gasca said. "I think the word will get out about him because of all things he does well."

In the weight room, Caldwell's current bench is 305 and his squat is 355.

Besides Florida and Clemson; Arizona, Oregon, UCLA, USC, Iowa State, Kansas, Nebraska and SMU are also showing recruiting interest in Caldwell

This may be the first time you have read about Caldwell, but it certainly won't be the last. The multi-talented Caldwell is about to explode onto the recruiting scene.