Stellar DE getting national looks

The bustling San Joaquin Valley town of Visalia, Calif., is unquestionably on the radar screen of many D-I schools. One of the reasons is Visalia (Calif.) Golden West high school where there are several prospects.

Pac10Recruiting has already featured Golden West offensive lineman Chad Macklin. For this article Pac10Recruiting will highlight the other side of the trench where defensive end Mike McCarthy plays.

McCarthy stands 6-foot-3, weighs 240 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds. He benches 300 pounds, squats 415 pounds, cleans 295 pounds and recorded a 26-inch vertical jump.

Like Macklin, McCarthy is a big time recruit. He is hearing from the likes of USC, Washington, Stanford, Oregon, ASU, Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Michigan, Northwestern and Fresno State.

It is easy to see why the interest. McCarthy has a devastating first-step and very hard to block. He’s great at shedding blockers and getting to the football. McCarthy heaped up 55 tackles and recorded nine sacks as a junior. His performance saw McCarthy get all-state recognition. He also was an all-area and all-league selection for his junior season.

McCarthy is a coach’s dream. He has excellent character and always shows up to practice ready to go. McCarthy at all times gives 110% whether at practice, during a game or in the classroom.

McCarthy will attend the Nike camp at Stanford later this month.

A good around athlete, McCarthy is also on the golf team and is a two handicap…