SBNation.com User Blog: Derrell Warren

John 'JuJu' Smith scouting report: Top safety prospect

Derrell Warren — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:13:33 -0000

John 'JuJu' Smith is going to be one of those players who will light up highlight reels all year long. The Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High athlete is already being heavily targeted by most of the West Coast schools.

Smith is an athlete and is being recruited either as a safety or a wide receiver. He stands at 6'1 and weighs 190 pounds, giving him more of a frame suited for the defensive side of the football, but there's a good chance he can stand to play on either side. Smith is a consensus four-star recruit. 247Sports places him 19th, ranking him the third-best safety and the second-best prospect out of the state of California. Rivals ranks him 111th nationally. ESPN notes his versatility, his ball skills, and his ability to make plays.

Smith enjoys offers from UCLA, USC, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Cal, Washington, Arizona, Arizona State and other programs.

Derrell Warren, SB Nation West Coast Recruiting Analyst (@yssd): Smith is one of the top recruits in the country. A two-way player, he projects best on defense but is also impressive lined up as a pass catcher as well. From a physical standpoint Smith possesses a near prototypical size for his likely college position of safety.

Smith has excellent body control for such a big-framed kid. On offense this attribute is shown with his ability to contort his frame to adjust to off-target throws. He also exhibits plus level suddenness when executing double moves as a receiver, able to turn his hips to sell a sharp cut before accelerating vertically.

Smith is relatively new to the safety position but flashes the ability to redirect in space and close quickly. He is efficient with his footwork and takes great routes to the play. Would like to see him be slightly more decisive when coming downhill versus the run, but is a physical striker with great balance.

An excellent pass defender, Smith has some of the best ball skills of any player in the nation (regardless of position), consistently winning in "50/50 ball" situations by using his big frame to get in position to make plays on the football.

Due to how big he projects to get physically, Smith might be best served operating in a two-deep shell alignment or as a box defender in cover three. Regardless, he carries the upside to mature into a multi-year starter at a high BCS program with All-Conference and All-American potential.

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Craig Lee Recruit Scouting Report: Explosive California Running Back

Derrell Warren — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:39:03 -0000

Redlands (Calif.) High School running back Craig Lee is a recruit that has mostly flown under the radar during the 2013 recruiting cycle. The 6'0, 195 pounder has still managed to garner close to 15 offers despite not receiving the notoriety that his talents warrant. Lee is rated as a high-three-star to low-four-star recruit according to most services. The California back is primarily considering offers from UCLA, Notre Dame, Arizona and Washington; from a list of offers that include Nebraska, California, Colorado and Oregon State.

Lee is a taller runner with a linear build. He possesses good muscle tone through his upper body, but needs to add mass to his lower half. He projects to max out in the 210-215-pound range primarily due to his height. Overall though, Lee's frame appears to be a bit limited.

Considered more of a speed back, Lee should fit in as a change of pace option early on in his career. The best fit would likely be in a rotation where he can be worked into the game in spurts, playing behind a bigger, more durable starter, who would handle the lion's share of the carries. A true two-stepper, Lee is a big-play threat that gets up to top speed quickly and can win footraces in the open field once he's reached the second level of a defense.

At this stage, Lee is primarily a perimeter runner. As he progresses to the next level; however, he will need to do a better job of staying patient inside and pressing the hole. Too often (even on plays designed to go in between the tackles), he looks to burst outside. This is an adjustment he will need to make in order develop into a more consistent back -- one who can help an offense stay on schedule down and distance wise, in addition to hitting the home run. Lee shows the vision to identify interior creases as he does an excellent job cutting back inside and accelerating through running lanes in instances where the defense has sealed off the edge.

Lee is an elusive runner. Instead of dancing, he relies on lateral explosiveness and sudden changes of direction to evade pursuers. Upon reaching the second level, he is very good at inducing a defender to commit to a pursuit angle, then sticking his foot into the ground and bursting in the opposite direction.

Whatever program picks up Lee will gain a talented recruit who possesses upside as an interior runner. This is primarily due to him possessing the vision to locate holes in the interior and the ability take advantage of them with sharp, precise cuts. He will also need to do a better job of coiling up his frame at the line of scrimmage and commit to grinding out the tough yards.

Craig Lee : Redlands High (CA) Class of 2013 : Junior Year Highlights (via utrhighlightvideos)

Darrell Daniels Recruit Scouting Report: Athlete With upside

Derrell Warren — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:06:50 -0000

Oakley (Calif.) Freedom High School wide receiver Darrell Daniels committed to the University of Washington on June 16th. The consensus four-star athlete was part of an eight recruit contingent that all gave their pledge to the Huskies on that day. Despite playing on both sides of the ball for his high school team, most scouts are of the opinion that the 6'4, 205-pound Daniels best projects to offense at the next level. One of Northern California's best, Daniels selected the Huskies over such programs as USC, UCLA, California, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Michigan.

Daniels' growth once he gets into a BCS caliber strength and conditioning program will dictate his long term position on the football field. If he remains in the 225 to 230 pound range, he will most likely remain at wide receiver. However, If his body really responds to college level weight training, he could possibly mature into an h-back or a flex option tight end who could pose mismatch opportunities against bigger, slower linebackers.

Evaluating as a wide receiver recruit, however, Daniels offers a really good size/speed ratio, as he is able to turn over his strides more quickly than your typical 6'4 athlete. Typically, a player Daniels' size carries more "built-up" speed than quick twitch explosiveness. Daniels, however, displays good acceleration and burst, and is a legitimate deep threat with the speed to tilt coverage.

From a developmental standpoint, Daniels is an extremely raw recruit. He qualifies as more of an "athlete" than pure wide receiver at this stage, overwhelming opponents with his sheer physical tools. However, he does have natural hands and gains full arm extension, consistently plucking the ball outside of his frame. Despite being obscured somewhat by his stride length, Daniels also carries good acceleration for a player of his size, showing an explosive burst once he gets his shoulders squared as he routinely outruns defenders in the open field.

At this stage, Daniels is limited as a route runner. Part of this is due to the fact he is not a natural knee bender. This causes some stiff and awkward movements on his part that contribute to him not running clean routes. He will often take baby steps at the top of his routes in order to slow his momentum prior to getting into his break. This allows a defender to squat on the route and minimizes the burst he's able to generate transitioning out of his break, limiting his ability to separate.

Daniels' game is based on straight line speed and explosiveness. His lateral quickness is limited. Early on in his career, Daniels would be best used running an assortment of crosses, quick slants and drag routes in addition to being used as vertical threat. The benefit of this would be to get the ball into his hands quickly, so he can use his speed and strength in the open field. This would make better use of his talents, until he improves running sharp breaking routes such as curls, digs and comebacks.

In Daniels, the Huskies are getting a talented recruit who requires a great deal of development. Redshirting him his first year on campus might be the best course of action unless the staff believes Daniels can contribute immediately on special teams as a return specialist while honing his craft.

For more on the Huskies be sure to check out UW Dawg Pound.

Tyree Robinson Recruit Scouting Report: San Diego Receiver A Great Leaper

Derrell Warren — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:22:10 -0000

2013 recruit Tyree Robinson (6'4, 190 pounds) of San Diego (Calif.) Lincoln High School is a dual sport athlete who first shined on the basketball court. A scoring "combo" guard on the hardwood (21 points per game), Tyree has seen his stock rise as a football recruit rise over the past few months.

Listed as a safety on some sites and an "athlete" on others, Robinson has generally stayed away from the football camp circuit due to participating in AAU basketball in the spring and summer. After receiving interest from UCLA and Notre Dame, Robinson put on stellar performances at the Los Angeles B2G camp and USC's rising star camp. Since then, 17 schools including USC, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia and Washington have offered Robinson.

Robinson, who appears to be a few inches shorter than his listed height, is a player whose talents are deployed on both sides of the ball for his high school squad. Robinson plays cornerback almost exclusively. In fact, cornerback is probably the position in which he is further along in terms of football development. He is still raw, which is to be expected from a recruit that hasn't been able to focus fully on football.

A long and athletic prospect, Robinson has excellent hip flexibility for a player of his size. He's a physically imposing corner who can match up effectively with taller receivers on an island in man coverage. An excellent leaper, he also changes direction well. His speed is not elite, but he possesses the speed to run down-field with most receivers. Robinson needs to get lower and improve his foot speed in his drop. He transitions well out of the drop, allowing him to "lead" vertical routes.

The hoops background is evident as Robinson leaps to make plays on the ball. He also gets in good position against wide receivers, opting often to undercut in, breaking routes and using his long wingspan reach in. He's good in run support and is a sure, wrap tackler.

Robinson's combination of ball skills, length and size make him a natural fit at the safety position. Although, if he does choose to play on the defensive side of the ball at the collegiate level, his change of direction and aforementioned size might combine to make him valuable at cornerback. However, the additional size he is likely to put on in a collegiate strength program could make him eventually outgrow the position.

The athlete is not as far along at receiver as he is on defense. He doesn't run the most precise routes and hasn't mastered enough of the nuances to set up cornerbacks. He primarily beats defenders in isolation situations with sheer athleticism. Robinson possesses soft hands and is natural "plucker" who gets full extension away from his frame when catching the ball. Robinson's height, leaping ability and wingspan work in combination to give him a huge catch radius. He is similar to former North Carolina receiver Hakeem Nicks .

Robinson's brother, Tyrell, is also a top recruit.

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Max Redfield Scouting Report: Safety Recruit Has Great Cover Skills

Derrell Warren — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 03:06:47 -0000

Safety Max Redfield of Mission Viejo (Calif.) High School is one of the most highly rated recruits in the nation. He is on the cusp of achieving five-star status according to the rankings of many recruiting services. Redfield is an Orange County, California product that hails from the same high school as former USC and current New York Jet quarterback Mark Sanchez. Listed at 6'2 and 195 pounds, Redfield profiles similarly to rising USC senior safety, T.J. McDonald. At nearly 20 offers, Redfield seems to have narrowed his choices down to local favorite USC, and the Oregon ducks. Notre Dame was seen back in the early spring as a viable contender to land Redfield's services, but that sentiment seems to have faded for the time being.

Redfield is a slender safety with a narrow hip base. He's fairly high cut with long arms. Redfield is a short strider and his initial burst is probably even more impressive than his long speed; a rarity from a player with Redfield's height and length. He looks to be able to pack on additional weight in his shoulders and chest area, in addition to his lower half. Redfield should be able to reach a playing weight of around 205-210 pounds.

Redfield is an athletic looking safety who is at his best in pass coverage. He possesses the instincts and football intelligence necessary to flourish within a variety of different schemes. As a single high safety, Redfield exhibits great instincts and range. He has compact footwork and rare suddenness out of his breaks for a longer athlete. This attribute allows Redfield an extra split second before driving on the football. At the next level, this trait will need to be accompanied by a certain level of discipline as Redfield could be baited into committing early or susceptible to double moves by prematurely attempting to jump the route. That said, quarterbacks often will throw the ball into a seemingly unoccupied area of the field, then Redfield has the ability to quickly close in an attempt to create a turnover.

Redfield is rangy. He is just as effective at pattern reading and making plays in the short to intermediate areas of the field as he is defending against the vertical passing game. He can also come down from a cover-two alignment and make plays versus screens and dump-offs in the flat. That said, not only does Redfield's intuitiveness allow him to process information quickly, but his stellar ball skills enable him to finish plays as well. That said, he is always a threat to create a turnover when he is in the vicinity of the ball. Redfield has the body control to reach back across his frame, contort in the air, and high point the ball in traffic consistently, making difficult interceptions.

Versus the run, there are aspects to Redfield's game that need to improve before he matures into a well-rounded safety. He can be inconsistent in how hard he runs the alleys. And, while Redfield gives the appearance of being a willing run-support safety, he will have to improve at squaring up his target and wrapping and driving through them as opposed to settling for arm tackles. At the collegiate level, this will leave Redfield susceptible to giving up yards after contact. Redfield has to shore up a few technical deficiencies in order to become a more proficient run stopper.

USC Trojans Making A Move For Joe Mathis?

Derrell Warren — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 04:17:02 -0000

Four-star defensive end Joe "Jo Jo" Mathis of Upland (Calif.) High School has been a busy prospect these past few weeks. On the weekend of June 16-17, Mathis was in San Diego helping Upland's 7-on-7 squad earn a championship at San Diego State University's annual passing league tournament. This past weekend, the 6'4, 250-pound Mathis flew over to Atlanta to compete in the Rivals 100 challenge. Mathis acquitted himself well against some of the elite offensive line prospects in the country, gaining several wins in the 1-on-1 portion of the event. On Wednesday, Mathis was a standout performer in the star studded USC rising stars camp.

The Trojans have not shown Mathis a large amount of interest over these past few months. This was especially evident after USC gained an early commitment from fellow four-star defensive end Kylie Fitts. Mathis, however, changed that with his performance at the Trojans' camp. Mathis had previously stated that he favored Nebraska, Washington and Michigan in his recruitment. However, it's likely that this most recent visit to USC has put the Trojans in much better position to land the big defender's services. Next up for Mathis will be a trip to Beaverton, Ore., to participate in "The Opening" July 5-8 on the Nike campus. SB Nation is covering The Opening and will speak with Mathis at the event.

Jojo Mathis - Upland High (CA) Class Of 2013 - Junior Year Highlights (via utrhighlightvideos)

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Tahaan Goodman A Physical Safety Recruit

Derrell Warren — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:50:38 -0000

Four-star recruit Tahaan Goodman from Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) High School is one of the most heavily pursued safety recruits in the state. This, in a year that is plentiful at the position across California. The 6'0, 190-pound defender is a teammate of current USC cornerback commit Chris Hawkins. Goodman claims well over 20 offers from schools such as USC, UCLA, LSU, Florida, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

Goodman is a physically imposing defender with an athletic, well developed frame. He projects to grow into a rather sizable safety topping out in the 215-220 pound range. Goodman is a plus level athlete at the position and smoothly navigates across the field with deft footwork. Goodman best profiles as an in-the-box style of safety as he is at his best in run support. He is a defender who takes nice, efficient angles to the ball-carrier that enable him to cut off perimeter runs with room to spare. Goodman is a menacing striker who generates a ton of pop from his powerful frame.

At this stage in his development, Goodman is more reactionary than instinctive versus the pass and lacks the range and pattern reading ability to be entrusted to defend the deep middle of the field. At the next level, Goodman needs to be coached up most in regards to his awareness in the passing game, as he has a fair amount trouble locating downfield throws. There is some stiffness in his hips which hinder him in transitioning out of his backpedal to turn and run vertically. Goodman would function better in a cover two alignment as he is more proficient operating in a confined area.

Goodman does a good job reading the quarterbacks eyes, though at the next level, he could leave himself susceptible at times to being looked off by more experienced signal callers. Goodman is physical in the open field and routinely dislodges the ball from receivers and tight ends. If he is able to sharpen his coverage instincts, Goodman could develop into a frightening presence in the short to intermediate areas of the field defending skinny post and shallow crossing routes.

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Tahaan Goodman - Rancho Cucamonga (CA) Class of 2013 - Junior Year Highlights (via utrhighlightvideos)

Dashon Hunt A Playmaking Cornerback Recruit

Derrell Warren — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:09:54 -0000

Last fall, cornerback recruit Dashon Hunt of Thousand Oaks (Calif.) Westlake High School had a breakout year on the gridiron registering 1,274 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns as a running back on only 131 carries. On the defensive side of the ball, the 5'9, 175-pound four-star prospect had a stellar campaign as a defender as Hunt collected 63 total tackles and picked off six passes.

Though Hunt plays on both sides of the ball, he is primarily being recruited as a cornerback by the programs courting his services. Hunt is diminutive in size as he appears a bit shorter than his listed height of 5'9. He does, however, carry a relatively stocky build for a cornerback. Short, with a relatively wide hip base and thick lower half, Hunt's frame appears to be nearly filled out for a kid having just completed his junior year in high school. However, with some time spent in a collegiate weight program it's very likely that Hunt's functional strength will increase.

Hunt is most effective in off-man or zone coverage at this stage in his development. He is an asset on base downs despite his size, as he is very willing to come up and lay hits in support of the run. Against the pass, playing off-coverage gives him the opportunity to peek into the offensive backfield and read the quarterback's drop. Hunt does have the ability to turn and run, and can track the football when it's in the air. That said, he is most effective playing within coverage concepts that allow him to backpedal into his zone, pattern read, and attack the football.

Hunt possesses excellent ball skills. A very good "plant and drive" defender, Hunt is very sudden in breaking on the ball once he has sniffed out a route. He is also a great leaper. That, combined with his soft hands allows him to come up with highlight reel interceptions at times. And though he likely doesn't project to consistently hold up on an island against taller receivers due to his size, Hunt will compete throughout the route and is always a threat to create a turnover due to his play-making ability.

Dashon Hunt 2011 Highlight Final.mov (via 7BishopsProduction)

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Marcus Baugh Recruit Scouting Report: Athletic Tight End Key In Buckeye Offense

Derrell Warren — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:49:06 -0000

Four-star tight end Marcus Baugh of Riverside (Calif.) John W. North High School was considered a surprise commitment to the Ohio State Buckeyes in mid-April, as it is quite rare for Ohio State to venture to southern California to secure talent. Nevertheless, Baugh gave his pledge to coach Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes after considering offers from Cal, Florida, Miami, Nebraska and Washington. Baugh was also the 18th high school player selected for the elite nationally televised prospect camp, "The Opening," which is to be held July 5-8 on the Nike campus in Beaverton, Oregon.

Baugh is a tight end prospect who physically has the look of a wide receiver. Currently listed at 225 pounds, he possesses a slender lower half and has a relatively thin hip and shoulder base. It will be intriguing to see how much more good weight Baugh can add considering the limitations of his frame.

Baugh is an excellent receiving tight end. One of his major strengths is his ability to line up at different spots within an offensive scheme and be a consistent threat in an aerial attack. Baugh is a natural pass catcher with the quick twitch movement skills of a smaller player. He has the flexibility to extend his arms and cleanly pluck the football away from his frame. Baugh also has very good body control. This trait is evident in the instances in which he is asked to adjust in mid-air to off-target throws, and haul in contested catches versus tight coverage.

Flexed outside, Baugh's first step allows him to gain a quick release off the line of scrimmage. Once into his route, he possesses really good stop-and-start agility that enables him to separate from defenders. Baugh also has the long speed to threaten the seam or run a deep fade pattern.

As an in-line tight end, Baugh doesn't offer much upside as a blocker. He's more than willing to engage defenders in the run game and has the footwork to mirror defensive ends when asked to stay in and pass block. That said, his thin lower half doesn't project to allow him to build the necessary bulk to hold the point of attack against the bigger edge rushers that are becoming more prominent in present-day college football. Baugh is more likely to be used to create matchup problems for defenses in the passing game in the instances in which he lines up with his hand in the dirt.

Baugh profiles favorably to former high school receiver turned college and NFL tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. But at the next level he will likely be deployed in a manner similar to that of former Florida gator tight end Aaron Hernandez, who was coached and recruited by Meyer. Baugh projects to line up at various spots on the field within Meyer's famed spread attack and will likely be the target of many shovel-option plays, a departure from the typical tight end route tree of drag, stick, and option patterns.

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Marcus Baugh (junior highlights) (via 247SportsStudio)

Sebastian LaRue Recruit Scouting Report: Elite Athlete Offers Versatility

Derrell Warren — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:10:54 -0000

Four-star "athlete" Sebastian Larue, a 5'11, 185-pound prospect from Santa Monica (Calif.) High School attended USC's skill position camp on June 100. After a full day of matching himself against some of the top talent in California, the Inglewood native earned an offer from the Trojans. Larue, who by his own admission didn't necessarily grow up a USC fan pondered the offer for over 10 days before pulling the trigger and committing to Trojans on June 21.

Last season, Larue, who transferred to Santa Monica High from Orange County powerhouse; Lutheran, caught 55 passes for over 900 yards and 12 scores. On the other side of the ball, Larue picked off three passes, returning one for a score. Larue became the 10th pledge of USC's 2013 recruiting class, selecting the Trojans over programs such as Arizona, Arizona State, Washington, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Michigan, Oklahoma and UCLA.

Larue is listed as an "athlete" by most recruiting services. This is due to him lining up all over the field as he takes snaps at receiver, cornerback and safety; in addition to returning kicks and punts for his high school team.

Larue could see his earliest playing time on special teams for the Trojans. He has a compact build that, combined with his speed, generates deceptive power that belies his 5'11 frame. Larue is more explosive than he is fluid so he may project best at returning kicks for USC, as he quickly gets north and south and is routinely able to run through arm tackles and side-step pursuers in the open field. His physicality also makes him a very effective player in the defensive secondary for his high school team.

Lined up at receiver, Larue does a great job of attacking whatever coverage is employed against him. Facing press, he utilizes a great first step to gain a clean release off the line and get into his route. When working against off man coverage, Larue will stem his route vertically. Once the defensive back's cushion has been broken down, Larue likes to use a jab step with his inside foot to create separation for the "out" cut. On in breaking routes, Larue shows savvy in using his initial burst to again sell the threat of him getting vertical. Once he's gotten a defender rocking back on his heels, he'll stick his outside foot into the ground, crossing the defender's face at an angle to get to the post.

Larue plays a bit bigger than his listed height. His sturdy frame will likely enable him to hold up versus press coverage. And though it might be a question as to how well it will translate to the college level, Larue is an effective weapon in goal line situations in terms of competing for jump balls in the end zone.

For more on Trojans football, visit USC blog Conquest Chronicles, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and SB Nation Los Angeles.

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Sebastian LaRue Junior Season Highlights (via basuno5)

Steven Mitchell Recruit Scouting Report: California Receiver Has Speed To Burn

Derrell Warren — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:45:13 -0000

Wide receiver Steven Mitchell of Mission Hills (Calif.) Bishop Alemany High School was the ninth commitment of USC's 2013 recruiting class. The 5'11, 175-pound prospect was offered by Trojan head coach Lane Kiffin at the conclusion of USC's June 10 skills position camp in which Mitchell stood out amongst a talented group of receivers. Mitchell promptly pledged his services to the Trojans upon receiving the offer. An invitee to Nike's televised elite camp event "The Opening", Mitchell gave his childhood favorite the nod over such programs as Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Oregon.

Listed as an athlete by most recruiting services, Mitchell is projected to receive the bulk of his snaps at wide receiver for USC. While appearing somewhat smaller in stature than listed, Mitchell seems to have added a few pounds of good weight to his upper half since the conclusion of his junior season. That assessment is based on video from Mitchell's camp appearances and seven-on-seven performances over the spring and early summer. This should help to ease any durability concerns that may exist as he possesses the skill-set to receive touches as both a receiver and punt returner.

Mitchell most likely profiles as a slot or "motion" receiver at to the collegiate level. The prevailing question might be whether Mitchell can indeed hold up on an island isolated against press coverage. Operating from the slot position for his high school team, Mitchell is generally afforded free releases and will oftentimes run his patterns against the deep safety.

As an outside receiver, Mitchell carries the long speed to threaten a defense vertically and force coverage to tilt to his side of the field. If he can translate this ability as a perimeter player in college it will increase his value significantly. As it stands, Mitchell is one of the more agile players you will come across this cycle, as he is an extremely creative runner after the catch, using excellent vision and quick vertical cuts to accelerate up field as opposed to dancing laterally.

As with most prep receivers, Mitchell will need to expand his route tree at the next level. At this stage in his development he is more of a speed cut guy who will stick his foot in the ground and rely on sudden changes of direction to separate from cornerbacks as opposed precise route running. That being said he is very quick in and out of his cuts and possesses the footwork, balance, and explosiveness to develop into a very good route runner.

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For more on Trojans football, visit USC blog Conquest Chronicles, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and SB Nation Los Angeles.

Fast Running Back Recruit Pierre Cormier Turning Heads

Derrell Warren — Wed, 30 May 2012 16:48:18 -0000

Running back Pierre Cormier (5'10, 180 pounds), a four-star prospect from San Diego (Calif.) Madison High School, was an under the radar recruit entering his junior season. A year ago, Cormier was tabbed to replace two-time 1,000 yard rusher and 2011 San Diego State signee, Da'saan Hardwick; having only logged 10 total carries at the varsity level. After initially serving notice to his potential with standout performances on the camp circuit, Cormier put together a stellar junior campaign totaling over 1,500 total rushing yards to go with 22 scores on the ground.

Cormier received his initial scholarship offer in March from UCLA. He attended its junior day event in March and came very close to pulling the trigger right then for the Bruins. Cormier decided to hold off, and since then has collected offers from such Pac-12 programs such as Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State, Washington State and Utah. In addition, Cormier has been extended verbal offers by Boise State, Cincinnati, Fresno State, Purdue, Nebraska and Nevada.

Positives:

Acceleration: Gets up to top speed quickly

Agility: Has top shelf body control at the running back position

Excellent cutting ability

Vision

Questions:

Is he big enough to carry the load or does he profile as more of complimentary back?

Is he strictly a spread type of back, or would he be able to produce within a more traditional scheme?

Cormier is a running back prospect that is shorter in stature but possesses a deceptively compact build. He is a runner with quick twitch explosiveness and top shelf agility; a true "two stepper" who gets up to top speed in an instant. And with him currently operating within a scheme that is predicated on getting him out into space, Cormier is a consistent home run threat.

Cormier doesn't profile as a traditional in-line runner at first glance but can ball up his frame and run with velocity in between the tackles. He doesn't project to carry that much power at the next level, but with his low center of gravity and leg drive, he figures to pick up his fair share of yards after contact. He has excellent jump cut agility but will need to do a better job pressing the hole in order to induce linebackers to slide out of their gaps and create the backside crease Cormier so easily exploits. At times, he will take too many lateral steps in the backfield when a lane isn't there and will default to bouncing the play outside.

Cormier is a very elusive runner with loose hips that allow him to avoid direct hits from defenders, and he displays great burst out of his cuts. Not to be classified as a "dancer," Cormier prefers to use sudden changes of direction in order to evade defenders. Cormier's size might preclude him from ever being a 200-touch type of back, and there are questions in regards to him being able to fit outside of a spread system. Regardless of offensive scheme, however, Cormier would probably best fit initially as a big play, Onterio McCalleb-type of changeup back who can provide a reliable backfield option in the passing game as well.

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Darren Carrington Jr. Scouting Report: Ex-NFLer's Son A Fast Rising Recruit

Derrell Warren — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:51:44 -0000

Darren Carrington Jr. (6'3" 180) is a fast-rising recruit from San Diego (Calif.) Horizon Christian Academy. Carrington Jr. is the son of former San Diego Charger defensive back, Darren Sr. He is being pursued to play either wide receiver or safety by most interested programs, even though he spent a lot of time under center at quarterback last season. Recruiting initially started off a bit slow for the three-star prospect, but the combination of his highlight film, and his performance on the camp circuit has allowed Carrington Jr. to see his recruitment pick up tremendously over the past six weeks.

Carrington Jr.'s initial offer was from Montana. Since then, he has garnered offers from such programs as San Diego State, Arizona, Tulane, Boston College, Colorado, Arizona State, Northwestern, and San Jose State. Despite the increased attention, it's been said that Carrington Jr. would likely shut down his recruitment completely if he received a committable offer from Oregon, where he plans to camp next month. Regardless of what transpires, he is expected to see his stock increase even further if he is able to maintain his current progression through the summer and produce a strong senior season.

Positives:

Elite level ball skills and body control

Soft hands

Football intelligence

Questions:

Thin frame

Long speed

Limited route tree

Carrington Jr. is a kid with good height and impressive length. With that said, he doesn't have the biggest frame, nor does he project to carry much more than 200 pounds in college. However, he does look to possess a good amount of wiry strength.

Carrington uses long strides to eat up a defender's cushion but isn't a true burner as his speed tends to taper off a bit after his initial burst off the line. A very natural pass catcher, Carrington has soft hands and effortlessly plucks the ball away from his frame. Combine that with his vertical jump, and he is tremendous in his ability to go up in the air and make spectacular catches. His ball skills are truly elite as he is able to give his quarterback a greater margin for error with his capacity to make plays over defenders on off target throws and 50/50 balls. Possesses the body control to redirect his momentum in the air and contort his body to adjust to poorly thrown passes.

From a route running perspective, Carrington Jr. is a bit limited at this time. He is primarily assigned to threaten opposing defenses vertically with a combination of take offs, deep posts, and wheel routes when he occasionally lines up at the tight end position. Carrington Jr.'s movement skills do indeed translate to him being able to generate separation in between the numbers, however. But with his height he projects to be more of a "speed cut" guy using subtle changes of direction to create space between him and a defender as opposed to player who sinks his hip at the top of routes and gets in and out of breaks quickly. Carrington should ultimately translate to being an starter at the collegiate level once he becomes more proficient at route running

Player comparison: Marvin Jones, Cincinnati Bengals

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Darren Carrington WR #7 Jr Yr Class of 2013 (via dvcballa21)

Wide Receiver Recruit Demorea Stringfellow A Big Option At Slot

Derrell Warren — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:20:56 -0000

Demorea Stringfellow is one of the better receiver recruits in California, out of Moreno Valley Rancho Verde High School. Stringfellow is a receiver prospect who hails from the same high school as current Florida Gator defensive end and former five star prospect, Ronald Powell, as well as current USC tight end Junior Pomee. Stringfellow has established himself among the best wide receivers in California in 2011, as he collected 981 yards and 15 touchdowns receiving on just 45 receptions. So far this offseason, he has been able to garner close to 15 scholarships from programs such as Arizona, Arizona State, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State and UCLA.

Positives:

Size: Big target who can create mismatches versus smaller cornerbacks

Run after the catch ability

Very physical blocker

Questions:

Limited route tree

Separation skills

Stringfellow is a tall wide receiver prospect with a lean, wiry upper body and strong lower half who figures to possibly max out at over 220 pounds. Reviewing his film, he is deployed all over the field for Rancho Verde High School, lining up as an outside receiver, h-back, or put in motion. Interestingly enough, he does most of his damage from the slot position. He's profiles similarly to New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston, one of the first 6'3" and above athletes to break the mold of who we typically envision when assessing receivers who do their best work from the slot.

Stringfellow shows explosiveness off the line as he is able to quickly break down the cornerback's cushion. He flashes strong hands and the body control to make in-air adjustments on both contested or off target throws. He classifies as a plus level run after the catch player, showing both slippery elusiveness and power in the open field as well. Stringfellow also displays savvy when things break down and the quarterback has been flushed out of the pocket. He does a great job cutting off his route and working his way into open areas of the field to create throwing lanes for his signal caller. Stringfellow is also one of the best blockers in the nation at the wide receiver position. He doesn't just merely get in front of a defender to impede their progress. He shows the willingness and the strength to drive block defenders at the second level into the turf.

As explosive as Stringfellow can be off the line, he's high cut and is a bit slow to transition in and out his breaks. Therefore, he doesn't create the separation you would expect from a player of his talents. He does a great job getting clean releases off the line and getting a defender to open his hips, but needs to do a better job of beating a cornerback through the entire route. He shows explosiveness in the open field and has the game speed to separate from run away from defenders after the catch, but will need to work at being more sudden when he reaches the top of his routes.

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Demorea Stringfellow JR highlights- WR Rancho Verde HS (via 247SportsStudio)

Michael Hutchings Scouting Report: Top Linebacker Recruit Drawing National Interest

Derrell Warren — Thu, 03 May 2012 22:57:33 -0000

Michael Hutchings is a top linebacker recruit out of Concord (Calif.) De La Salle High School. Hutchings stands 6'2 and 210 pounds, and he is a consensus four-star recruit. He claims offers from: USC, UCLA, California, Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Colorado, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Utah, Washington and Washington State

Strengths

Versatility: Lines up at various positions at times for the Spartan defense

Strength at the point of attack, especially for a linebacker of his size

Sure tackler

Instincts: Plays fast due to very good diagnostic skills

Questions

Not an elite, quick-twitch athlete

No set linebacker spot at the next level

A four-star prospect and arguably the best prep football player in all of Northern California, Hutchings plays for perennial national powerhouse De La Salle High School. While at first glance Hutchings may not register as the biggest linebacker prospect, he possesses a thick lower half and has room to add a few additional pounds up top. A versatile athlete, Hutchings lines up at safety in addition to all three linebacker positions, but spends the majority of his time at the middle linebacker spot.

Hutchings sits low in his stance, carries a low center of gravity, and is a downhill player who plays with much more power at the point of attack than his frame would suggest. He finds the ball quickly and is aggressive in taking on and disengaging from blockers as well.

Hutchings is explosive on contact and plays with excellent leverage, making strong form tackles that surrender little, if any, yards after contact. Hutchings can be a bit tight hipped and often will have to take an elongated step in order to gather himself prior to redirecting in space or transitioning to flow laterally against outside runs. Once he is able to redistribute his momentum, however, he shows good speed in pursuit and takes great angles to the ball.

Hutchings is great at forcing perimeter runs back inside then cleaning up as a ball carrier attempts to cut back off tackle. At the next level, Hutchings will probably need to do a better job of using his length to "defeat "or slip blocks as opposed to taking them on directly.

As good as Hutchings is versus the run, against the pass he flashes a diverse skill set. He will occasionally even line up at safety in De La Salle's cover two alignment. Although he shows the ability to cover his deep half responsibility, he likely won't be asked to assume many of those types of duties at the collegiate level.

As strictly a coverage linebacker, Hutchings gets good depth in his drops, reads patterns and can step in front of passes. Hutchings should be able cover tight ends one-on-one effectively at the collegiate level. However, he may have more difficulty attempting to stay with smaller shiftier backs running wheel, arrow, or button hook routes out of the backfield. As an edge rusher, Hutching shows good burst and closing speed. He is a generally a mismatch for any tailback assigned to block him one on one.

Overall, Hutchings is an excellent linebacker prospect with advanced football intelligence.

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L.J. Moore Recruit Scouting Report: True Man-To-Man Cover Corner

Derrell Warren — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:07:52 -0000

L.J. Moore is just one of the latest defensive back prospects hailing from Fresno, Calif. He follows in the rich, yet understated tradition of players who come from the area. Fresno Edison High School has put out such luminaries as former San Francisco 49ers safety Tim McDonald, former Cincinnati Bengals running back Elbert "Ickey" Woods, and other former NFL players such as Ricky Manning Jr. and Clifton Smith. And don't forget former Charger linebacker Charles Anthony, former Patriots Greg Boyd and Charles Young. Those three were the original NFLers who helped to start the tradition of talented players from Fresno who played football on the highest level.

Now, Fresno Central (East campus) High School has begun to produce FBS caliber football talent in recent years themselves, starting with Notre Dame signee Tee Shepard (who has since left Notre Dame). Moore is part of a triumvirate of current Central High defensive backs (along with current teammates Hatari Byrd and Johnny Johnson) who have seen their recruiting stock rise in the last several months. Moore currently has close to 15 offers from such schools as Arizona State, Arizona, California, Notre Dame, Fresno State, UCLA, Georgia, and Oklahoma. Moore is a consensus four-star recruit.

Positives:

Ball skills/awareness
Great leaper
Length

Questions:

Explosiveness
Tackling form

Within a shifting football landscape and spread offenses forcing opposing defenses to employ more zone coverage, L.J. Moore is a cornerback who specializes in old school man to man coverage. Moore is a prospect who possesses a tall, rangy build. And though he doesn't have the biggest frame, he should be able to max out in the 185-190 pound range in college given his height (6'0"). Moore can play either press or off man coverage. But at this stage he clearly prefers pressing wide receivers at the line of scrimmage.

Moore is balanced in his set and often uses an aggressive two hand jam to re-route wide receivers when they have taken an outside release. He utilizes an "off-hand" jam when a receiver has released inside and looks to operate in-between the numbers. Moore is sound from a technique standpoint, although from time to time he'll get caught peeking at the quarterback pre-snap and shoot his hands out a bit late.

Moore is an athlete who can quickly flip his hips once a receiver has released off the line of scrimmage and run with them vertically. He displays elite level ball skills as he is able to track downfield throws and use his leaping ability (track and field high jumper) to intercept or knock down passes at their highest point. High pointing the ball is one of his strengths as evidenced by his play as a red zone wide receiver on offense as well.

Moore will use his length to undercut and break up passes on slant routes. And though he is pretty good out of a t-step, he doesn't show elite short area quickness when redirecting or great burst when breaking on passes thrown in front of him. I would classify as more of a smooth, fluid athlete, as opposed to a quick twitch explosive defender. After being primarily used as a man coverage corner he will have to adjust to the zone concepts that are used at the collegiate level. That being said, Moore projects to be a very good cover cornerback who is able to press wide receivers at the line of scrimmage and win through the route.

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2013 DB/ATH LJ Moore Highlights (via Prep1Force)

Francis Owusu Scouting Report: An Explosive Receiving Recruit

Derrell Warren — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:42:20 -0000

Francis Owusu, of Southern California powerhouse Oaks Christian High School (Westlake, California), is one of the most explosive wide receiver prospects on the West Coast for the 2013 recruiting cycle. Playing opposite 2012 UCLA-signee Jordan Payton last year, the younger brother of former Stanford receiver Chris Owusu matured as the season went along, registering 35 receptions for 705 yards and eight scores. A high three-star recruit according to most recruiting services, the 6'4, 200-pound Owusu claims offers from roughly 12 schools including Stanford, Arizona, Arizona State, Florida, Notre Dame, Nebraska and Oregon State. Owusu only figures to see his stock increase going into spring football and 7-on-7 competition.

Positives

Size: Has premium-level height that most coaches covet at the college level with a frame conducive to future growth.

Explosiveness: Gets to top gear quickly for a bigger receiver.

Open field running: Shows elusiveness in the open field and is tough to get a clean shot on.

Questions

Hands: Not the most natural of pass catchers.

Route running: Needs to expand his route tree.

On film, Owusu appears very close to his listed height of 6'4. He has a fairly strong-looking lower half with room to add weight up top. Owusu has the frame to eventually max out in the 220-225 pound range. He shows explosiveness off the line, quickly breaking down the cushion of opposing cornerbacks and threatening the defense vertically. He can beat press coverage with foot quickness, but will be more efficient in getting off jams by using his upper body strength to out-muscle the better cornerbacks he'll face to avoid getting held up at the line of scrimmage.

Owusu is a shorter strider than most receivers of his height, therefore he possess more initial explosion as opposed to "built up speed." He displays this over longer distances with his ability to create deep separation from cornerbacks and outpace the pursuit angles of safeties coming over the top. Owusu displays very good short area quickness and moves in the open field after the catch. This dimension of his game will be interesting to see utilized as he matures as a player.

At this point in his development, Owusu is more of a deep threat who can tilt coverage rather than a polished route runner. He uses "speed cuts," accelerating vertically and using subtle shoulder fakes and jab steps in order to change direction to create airspace between himself and a defender, as opposed to sinking his hips and bursting in and out of breaks to create separation.

He's not a natural hands catcher as he has a tendency to allow passes to get into his frame. Owusu will also need to be more aggressive in snatching the ball cleanly out of the air, as he will allow it to contact his chest and torso area. From a technique perspective, Owusu will need to use full extension of his wingspan in order to maximize his catch radius. This will make him an even more inviting target for his quarterback as he does not always play to his size.

Owusu has the height, speed and run after the catch ability to progress into a featured target at the collegiate level. This will likely occur once expands his route tree and is able to get open consistently in between the numbers where most games are won. He will likely begin his career as a reserve, running takeoffs and deep posts, in addition to quick slants and crosses designed to get the ball into his hands and use his run after the catch ability.

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Justin Davis Scouting Report: One Of The Best Backs Out West

Derrell Warren — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:13:40 -0000

Justin Davis has established himself as probably the most coveted running back on the West Coast. This, after a junior season at Stockton (Calif.) Lincoln High School that saw him accumulate over 2,600 yards and 39 touchdowns rushing. Those accomplishments have led to him to receive offers from close to 20 BCS programs, including USC, UCLA, California, Oregon, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Florida State, and Washington. He stands 6'0" and weighs in at 195 pounds. He is a consensus four-star recruit. No timetable for a commitment at this time, but USC is rumored to sit in good position at this relatively early stage in his recruitment.

Positives

Agility: Moves well laterally and stays on balance through lower body contact
Burst: First-step quickness is somewhat obscured by his stride length. But it's definitely there. Good burst out of cuts.
Vision: Consistently sees the backside crease.

Questions

Upright running style: Exposes his frame and invites a larger degree of punishment.
Lower body strength

Davis is a taller back with very good agility, especially for a more angular runner. He is a bit thin up top and through his lower half, but has a wide enough frame to be able to eventually get up to around 215 pounds while retaining his speed and quickness. Davis is a runner who exhibits patience and an advanced understanding of how to set up his blocks, especially for someone who would be classified as a "speed" back. He has plus level vision that allows him to see and exploit backside creases. On off tackle runs Davis has the burst to turn the corner, and once he's reached second level will cut inside against the angles of over pursuing defenders who have overcompensated for his ability to threaten the edge.

Davis shows some creativity in the open field but at times will take an instant to gather himself before changing direction due to him being a long strider. On traps or plays that utilize pulling guards, Davis will press the edge, forcing the linebacker who is trying to fill the gap to take a lateral step outside putting him into the path on the oncoming lineman, Davis will then stick his outside foot in the ground and cut back inside at the precise moment the pulling guard has initiated contact with the defender, opening a wider seam to exploit.

Between the tackles, however, is Davis' sweet spot as a runner. He can explode vertically through a crease into the secondary, or press the play-side hole and bounce outside once the linebackers have lost their gap integrity. Davis does, however, need to run with more velocity in between the tackles and with a lower pad level. This, in addition to packing on added weight (especially in his lower body), will improve his consistency as an every down runner. Davis' pass catching ability is a bit of an unknown at this point. He will obviously need to become more adept in that area in order to become a true every down back.

Justin Davis RB #22 Junior Season 2011 Highlights Lincoln-Stockton (via buckstucky1)

Chris Hawkins Scouting Report: Talented Cornerback Recruit Headed To USC

Derrell Warren — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:39:41 -0000

Chris Hawkins is one of the premier cornerback prospects on the West Coast. He followed up a strong season at Rancho Cucamonga (CA) High School with a stellar spring, making his presence felt on both the camp and 7-on-7 circuits.

In fact, Hawkins made his pledge to USC shortly after wrapping up the defensive back MVP award at the Los Angeles Nike Camp in which he didn't allow a single reception during the 1-on-1 portion of the event. He selected the Trojans over the Stanford Cardinal, but also received scholarship offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Houston, LSU, Michigan, Mississippi and a host of others. Hawkins carries a consensus four-star rating from most of the major services.

Strengths: Ball skills, Footwork, Length

Questions: Size (5'11, 175), Hip flexibility

Hawkins is a slender player with a fairly thin frame. But, he has great length for a smaller cornerback and has valuable experience as his high school runs a variety of coverages in the defensive secondary. He's balanced in his drop, and although he could stay a bit lower in his backpedal, he maintains his leverage and doesn't swing his hips open prematurely.

In press man coverage Hawkins displays some physicality as he will use his length to re-route receivers and not allow them to gain a clean release off the line of scrimmage. He transitions well out of his backpedal and has the long speed to run stride for stride on vertical routes when isolated on an island.

Hawkins displays a nice burst when tracking the ball downfield and has plus-level ball skills. Those traits, combined with his length, allow him to make his share of plays on the ball in addition to providing sticky coverage. In off-man situations, Hawkins likes to employ a "triangle technique," reading the quarterback's drop as a way of keying him in on what pattern an opposing receiver is likely to run against him.

Hawkins does have a bit of tightness in his hips and lacks suddenness when asked to plant and redirect, so he will give up his share of separation on sharply-breaking routes. This is primarily evident in those off-man situations where there is natural airspace between Hawkins and the opposing receiver. Often, he doesn't have enough short area burst to close the gap in time to make a play on the ball, and resorts to simply making the tackle.

Hawkins is a willing run defender who will lower his shoulder into a ball carrier. But he will need to build more functional strength in order to contribute consistently in run support.

Hawkins will likely need some time in the weight room to accumulate additional bulk. More specifically, the upper body strength needed to press and re-route receivers at the next level. He profiles best as a field corner in the long term. Hawkins could contribute initially as a gunner on special teams, play the slot corner position as a sophomore and blossom into a starter his junior and senior years.

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Su'a Cravens Recruit Scouting Report: A Playmaker At Safety Or Linebacker

Derrell Warren — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 05:41:12 -0000

Su'a Cravens is one of the top recruits in the country. Out of Murrieta (Calif.) Vista Murrieta High School, Cravens stands 6'1" and weighs in at 205 pounds. He is a consensus five-star recruit, and most teams are recruiting him to play on the defensive side of the ball. Some of those schools include Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Boise State, California, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State and Wisconsin.

Strengths: Cravens possesses college-ready size, agility and athleticism. He also has a high football IQ.

Questions: Cravens will probably need to be evaluated at both strong safety and outside linebacker to determine where he best fits. Can he play safety at a higher weight considering he is likely far from done growing? Also, he is a physical ‘form' tackler but is not necessarily a ‘blow up' hitter

In-Depth Breakdown: Cravens is a prospect who has been on the Southern California recruiting radar for a few years now. And as he's progressed he has shown the ability to effect the game at any number of positions on both sides on the ball. On offense Cravens lines up primarily at the running back position and displays solid vision and short area quickness and exhibits creativity as a runner that I believe has been understated by most who have scouted his games. Also, he exhibits plus level vision and jump cut ability as he will take advantage of backside creases created by over pursuing defenders. He will also occasionally flank out wide as a receiver or in the slot and has the speed to threaten a defense vertically and the body control to win outside on contested throws. Cravens runs actual pass patterns and has the ability to quickly snap in and out of breaks at the top of routes. This speaks highly to his football IQ to be as proficient as he is at route running. And although Cravens would likely be an FBS caliber prospect as a running back or even an H-back, it's defense where he is being looked at primarily and carries the highest degree of upside.

Cravens has near freakish flexibility and movement skills for an athlete of his size. He is a true student of the game who understands the nuances of every position he is asked to play on the field. Some believe he would carry more value at the next level as a bigger safety type as opposed to linebacker. Granted, he possesses the tools to mature into an elite player at either position by most scout's estimation and reportedly is open to playing either in college.

Cravens is often used as an edge rusher by his high school team but generally lines up all over the field on defense. He is probably at his best near the line of scrimmage whether it's being the eighth man down in the box at strong safety or lined up at outside linebacker where he can pressure the passer from a stand up position. Cravens showcases good speed off the edge, generates good leverage, and as a natural knee bender breaks down and tackles with authority. He's not a blowup hitter, however.

Out in space, Cravens displays compact footwork that allows him to cleanly change direction and he is very sudden with plus level short area burst and quickness. Plays fast due to not only to having good field speed but shows excellent diagnostic skills and often times seems to be able to see 3-4 frames ahead of what's happening on the field during a particular play. Shows good range in coverage and can play hash to hash over the short to intermediate areas of the field but is rarely asked to help over the top on his film. That may be the one mystery that remains when breaking down the various aspects of his game. Overall, Cravens is a truly elite prospect that who combines a deep reservoir of talent with a high football IQ. This equates to him having a high ceiling with very little bust potential.

Su'a Cravens Junior Season Highlights (via mannahatamovies)

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