SoCal athlete making a name

Los Angeles (Calif.) Verbum Dei high school has a rich basketball tradition dating back to the 1970's. It was also the school that former USC and now Minnesota Viking Kenechi Udeze. The football program went into hiatus but now they are on the comeback trail under the guidance of head coach Kendrick Knox and his able assistants.

Besides a solid coaching staff the Eagles also have a couple of players who are getting D-I attention.

One player to watch is Marquis Bradley (5-10, 196, 4.6).

The versatile Bradley has lined up at wide receiver, running back, linebacker and defensive back for Verbum Dei.

A workout warrior, Bradley benched 185-pounds, 20 times. His max bench is 325 and he squats 465. He has also recorded a 26-inch vertical.

Rushing the football, Bradley gained 142 yards on 10 carries while averaging 14.2 yards per carry. He had a long run of 60 yards and one touchdown in 2004.

As a receiver Bradley had 19 receptions for 429 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 22.6 yards per catch and had a long reception of 70 yards.

One the defensive side of the ball Bradley racked up 105 tackles, three sacks, three fumbles caused and had one pick that he returned for a touchdown.

"Marquis played strong side linebacker for us last year and even played defensive end in one game for us," Verbum Dei line coach Owen Brown said. "In that game he had two sacks and harassed the quarterback all game long. Marquis will play his more natural defensive position of strong safety for us this upcoming season."

"Marquis works hard in everything he does, I've been at Verbum Dei for two years now and I haven't seen this kid give our coaching staff nothing less than 110%," Brown said. "If I had to compare Marquis to any football player I would say it would be Blaine Bishop formerly of the Tennessee Titans."

"Marquis from an attitude standpoint is a yes sir, no sir type of person and is very respectful," Brown said. "Obviously a kid of his character is very coachable."

"Currently Marquis has no offers but a lot of schools came by the office inquiring about him after seeing his film," Brown said. "There is no doubt that D-I schools will be watching Marquis very closely this season."

Bradley's top schools are UCLA, Utah, San Diego State, Syracuse, Tennessee and Oregon.

Other schools that Bradley is getting attention from are Wyoming, Arizona, UTEP, Colorado and Oregon State.