West Region spotlight: Most talented high schools

The West is loaded with outstanding high school football programs and many of them are based in talent-rich Southern California. Here is a look at five of the best in the region with a historical look at some of the top prospects who have played at those schools:

TALENT HOTBEDS: Midwest | Southeast | Mid-Atlantic

Bosco has become arguably the top program in the West along with being a top-level national program because the Braves pump out Division I players every recruiting cycle. The scary part is that Bosco continues to load up on talent and its 2019 and 2020 classes are filled with high-level players as well. This year, St. John Bosco is led by Ohio State commit Jaiden Woodbey and UCLA pledge Stephan Blaylock, a pair of four-star defensive backs. Last recruiting cycle, five-star OL Wyatt Davis played for the Braves. Prior to that, five-star QB Josh Rosen was Bosco’s star. He could be one of the first players taken in next year’s NFL Draft.

This was also the high school of Damien Mama (USC), Jaleel Wadood (UCLA), Bryce Treggs (Cal) and so many others. In the 2019 class, high four-star DB Chris Steele leads the way but at least 10 players in that class alone will play high-end Division I football. The 2020 class is also coming together nicely with QB D.J. Uiagalelei already turning heads and landing offers from Alabama, USC and others.

One of the proudest programs nationally, Mater Dei has developed outstanding prospects for years under the tutelage of coach Bruce Rollinson and this might be one of his best teams yet. Five-star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, 2019 five-star USC quarterback commit JT Daniels, four-stars Tommy Brown (Alabama), Solomon Tuliaupupu, 2019 four-star Bru McCoy and others make this a special group.

Mater Dei was also the home of five-star LB Curtis Robinson, who could emerge at Stanford this season, former No. 1 overall prospect QB Matt Barkley, and so many other top-rated prospects who had major impacts not only in the Pac-12 but at top programs across the country.

Las Vegas is known for a lot of things – and because of Bishop Gorman it’s now the center of high school football in Nevada and the Gaels have become one of the best programs in the country. Let’s rip off some names: Demarco Murray. Ryan Reynolds. And especially lately with Tate Martell, Haskell Garrett, Tyjon Lindsey, Bubba Bolden, Palaie Gaoteote, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and so many others made Bishop Gorman football a must-see every high school football season.

Gorman started its season by taking out Washington, D.C., power DeMatha this past weekend. An outstanding matchup between Gorman and Mater Dei on Friday is a can’t-miss contest. So many top prospects transfer in to Gorman because it provides incredible exposure and the Gaels always play a top-notch schedule to really test its players against the best. Usually, Bishop Gorman wins.

Talk about a program with a ton of pride and a ton of history and look no further than Long Beach Poly. It is the home of five-stars such as Iman Marshall, Juju Smith-Schuster and Jack Jones recently and many others along the way. During the Rivals.com era dating back to 2002, Long Beach Poly has produced six five-star prospects including NFL receiver DeSean Jackson in 2005.

This season, former five-star QB Matt Corral is leading the offense after transferring from Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian and five-star WR Jalen Hall, a transfer from Los Angeles Hawkins, is his top target. Every year, the word is that the young classes at Long Beach Poly are getting better and better. It’s no surprise. Every season, the Jackrabbits have a loaded squad.

The home of Adoree’ Jackson, Robert Woods, Marqise Lee and so many other top prospects has to make this list because Serra remains a powerhouse that regularly pumps out some of the best players in Southern California. Deontay Burnett is arguably the top receiver at USC and he was overshadowed during his senior season at Serra by five-stars Rasheem Green, John Houston and others. That’s how good this program has become and it’s loaded with talented players once again.

Four-star safety Bryan Addison has star potential. Four-star linebacker Merlin Robertson is a hitting machine. In the 2019 class, cornerback Max Williams has proven to be special on defense and special teams. One of the top 2020 prospects is linebacker Justin Houston, John’s younger brother. So much talent comes through Serra every year and that’s why college coaches make it a priority to stop on Van Ness Avenue in Gardena, Calif., all the time.