SoCal class of 08 safety hits

There is no doubt that one of the fastest emerging programs in Southern California is Corona (Calif.) Colony. This Inland Empire powerhouse has won two straight CIF titles and with the talent on the team there is a very good chance that Colony could win two more. Colony has players in both the class of 2009 and 2010 who will be playing on Saturdays.

One of the players to jot down for future reference is strong safety Keith Hutchins (5-10, 180, 4.6).

As a sophomore, Hutchins earned second-team all-league after accounting for 49 tackles, one pick and had a safety.

Arizona State, Utah, Utah State and Fresno State are already ahead in the recruiting game and are aware of Hutchins.

In the weight room, Hutchins has a current bench of 230, squats 405 and power cleans 200. He has also recorded a 30-inch vertical.

The scouting report on Hutchins is he's a big hitter, his teammates say hits the opposition Sean Taylor style so obviously he packs a punch.

Colony head coach Anthony Rice concurs with his players' assessment of his talented safety's hitting ability.

"Keith is a tremendous hitter and is a very smart, intelligent football player," Rice said. "He's very competitive, physical and aggressive."

"Keith has good vision and has the knack to find the football."

Though Hutchins is very open and has some time to think about things he does have an early favorite school.

"Oregon is my favorite school," Hutchins said. "I like the way the Ducks play defense."

It is a good bet that there will be plenty of teams who will try and supplant Oregon as his favorite school when it becomes his time to be recruited.