Versatile athlete getting noticed

Wide receiver/defensive back Ralph Gibbs (6-0, 185, 4.59) from Los Angeles (Calif.) Verbum Dei is another player from the re-emerging Eagle program who is getting D-I attention.

Gibbs has recorded solid 4.45 shuttle and has benched 185-pounds 13 times. His max on the bench is 265 and his squat is 415 while he has recorded a 30-inch vertical.

"Gibbs began last season as our starting cornerback and lockdown corner at that," Verbum Dei line coach Owen Brown said. "But after a couple of games we had a big hole at middle linebacker and despite his size Ralph said he'll play middle linebacker and for the rest of the season he played out of position and played it well enough to earn second-team all-league."

"This upcoming season Ralph will play where he started off last season at cornerback and he has looked great during workouts and passing leagues," Brown said. "We expect his progress to continue on throughout the season."

"Ralph is a very relaxed happy go lucky type, but come practice and game day he is very intense and is our vocal and emotional leader on the field," Brown said. "Come game day I know one thing win, lose or draw Ralph almost needs to be carried of the field after each game."

"In talking to coaches that came by the office to watch film of Ralph they love the fact that he is so versatile," Brown said. "Some coaches have even told me that would like to see him at safety and even outside backer."

"Most coaches like him at corner just because he fits the prototype corner being 6-feet and very physical at the point of attack," Brown said. "Ralph will also be playing wide receiver this year and is looking like he will be pretty good at that as well."

As a junior Gibbs racked up 96 tackles, three sacks and three fumbles caused.

Gibbs names Georgia Tech, Colorado, Tennessee, Washington, Syracuse, Washington State, and UCLA as favorites.

Other schools giving Gibbs recruiting attention are San Diego State, Fresno State, Colorado State, Oregon, Baylor, UNLV, UTAH, and UTEP.