Sparks has been sparkling
When you're hot, you're are hot and wide receiver Jarrett Sparks (6-2, 215. 4.5) from Merced, Calif., could be the hottest playmaking wide receiver playing in the Golden State at the present moment.
Believe it or not, out his last 12 catches, 11 of them have gone for touchdowns. Sparks has been absolutely sparkling.
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In nine games so far his senior season, Sparks has caught 32 passes for 846 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging an outstanding 26.4 yards per catch. He has also rushed for a touchdown and returned a kickoff for a score.
So far Sparks has five Pac 10 offers on the table from Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Oregon State and Washington State.
"Jarrett has taken a number of unofficial visits to Cal," Merced coach Rob Scheidt said. "He has already taken an official visit to Arizona State and he liked it a lot.
"It was a very good trip for him and it helped him define where he would like to go," Scheidt said. "He will probably take all five of his visits before he makes his college decision.
"This coming weekend Jarrett will head to Oregon State for another official visit," Scheidt said. "He doesn't have any other official visits planned.
There is very good reason why Sparks is sparking the interest of several Pac 10 teams.
"Jarrett is a big guy and has done a great job in his end season workouts, Scheidt said. "He is now bigger and stronger. He has the ability to run the distance after he catches the ball.
"Maybe even more impressive is Jarrett is also a great blocker," Scheidt said. "Most of our long runs have been sprung on blocks by Jarrett.
"So it isn't just catching the ball with Jarrett," Scheidt said. "He's a team player.
"Jarrett also does our punting for averaging 40 yards per punt and he also returns kicks for us," Scheidt said. "He will do whatever he can to help the team win."
Help the team win indeed. Merced is currently a perfect 9-0 and are now playing for home field advantage for the playoffs going into the tenth week of the season.