Tate is a true dual threat

Khalil Tate is an extremely gifted athlete who attends a school known for producing them. At Gardena (Calif.) Serra, having a superior skill set is more the norm than the exception. Serra's class of 2015 alone had two five-star prospects in linebacker John Houston and defensive end Rasheem Green, and a four-star in athlete Stanley Norman. In all, at least eight of Serra's graduating seniors are on track to play FBS football next season.

With all that talent leaving, Tate -- a three-star athlete who stands at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds -- feels he's ready to assume the leadership role next season as the team's starting quarterback.

"Right now I feel like it's just me in charge," Tate said after participating in last weekend's Rivals Quarterback Challenge at Fullerton College, where he earned Top Performers honors.

The very next day he was in Las Vegas, showing off his receiver abilities at the Rivals Camp Series event, where he once again earned Top Performers honors.

"A lot of those seniors were great leaders," he said. "Everything's on me now, but that feels good because I like a difficult task."

As Tate gears up for his senior season, his recruitment is also picking up steam. He currently holds 13 offers, and lists his top choices as California, Arizona, Oregon State, Kansas, UCLA and USC.

The Trojans have formed a strong pipeline to Serra. From the 2015 class alone, Houston, Green and receiver Deontay Burnett all inked with USC. Serra's has produced five five-star recruits in its history, and all five of them wound up at USC. In all, the Trojans have signed nine Serra players since 2010.

Will Tate be the latest to play his college football in the Coliseum?

"At Serra, (going to USC) is the next step, really," he said. "I don't know for sure if I'll go there, but it's definitely more of a family there, no doubt. And I know more personnel there than anywhere else."

Tate said most schools are recruiting him as a quarterback, with Florida State, Utah and USC recruiting him as an athlete, though the Trojans have told him they want to see him at quarterback as well.

That's a decision Tate will have to make -- whether to play quarterback or receiver at the next level. Tate said he prefers to play quarterback because that's what he's played his whole career, though he's also added time at cornerback and receiver.

Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell thinks he's capable of playing at either position in college.

"I know he wants to be a quarterback and I think he can be," Farrell said. "He's not a refined pocket passer, but he does well on the run, and physically he's well put together. As far as receiver, he's thick and explosive with good lower body strength that allows him to hit that extra gear when he needs to."

Farrell was impressed with Tate's performance at both Rivals Camp Series events.

"I thought he did well," Farrell said. "I had him down as being most effective in passing drills when he was on the run. He's more comfortable playing like that. And to see him the next day at receiver and being exceptional at getting downfield -- it was interesting because it's not too often you see a guy perform one day at one position then another position the next day and do well at both.

"I joked with him after (the Vegas camp where Tate performed as a receiver) and told him if he wants to play quarterback (in college) he's going to have to start dropping passes."

Though quarterback is Tate's preference, he said that won't be the deciding factor in his college decision.

"As long as I get the ball and have a chance to help the team and contribute that will help," Tate said.

While Tate is looking hardest at schools on the West Coast, he said that could change this offseason when he makes a trip to the Southeast. He plans to visit Georgia, Alabama and Auburn, among other schools. The Tigers have piqued his interest because of their use of dual-threat quarterbacks, most notably Cameron Newton and more recently, Nick Marshall.

"I like Auburn a lot," Tate said. "A lot of people have compared me to Marshall, saying we play alike. We have the same number and same tendencies and we're talking about the same situation (as me) really. He's going to the NFL draft as a cornerback and he was a DB at Georgia before he transferred to Auburn."

Tate will tour the country to take unofficial visits this offseason. He'll also play for his 7-on-7 team coached by former NFL receiver Keyshawn Johnson. With four quarterbacks on the roster, he lines up at receiver for Johnson's squad. Tate said he wants to work on his consistency and "getting better."

Ideally, the three-star prospect will commit before the start of next season.

"I'd like to commit sometime in the summer so I can get more recruits," he said.

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