A Scout’s Report – Week 13
Scout: Randy Taylor
This is the ninth in my series of reports that will run throughout the football season. I’ll report on the top prospects from the high school and junior college games I attend.
As a part of my job as a scout, I like to see prospects in person to check body type, confirm height and weight and get an overall feel for the player, i.e. how he carries himself, is he a tough kid, can he move his feet, etc.
My notes on the top prospects from these games will be reported here for you to learn more about some of the special players in the West.
Friday, November 10, 2006 – St. Bernard HS vs. Gardena Serra HS
*Da'John Harris – Defensive Tackle, 6-3.5 265, Serra HS, Senior
Harris is a very good athlete, especially for his size. He plays tight end and catches the ball with his hands. He also lines up at defensive end, but in my opinion, projects to a 3 technique in college. At least, that’s where he could make the most money down the road.
DaJohn’s feet are quick, he can redirect and runs very well. He has excellent thickness and natural strength. There aren’t many flaws with this good looking specimen; however he can play a little high and needs to finish better.
He has offers from top schools and will be a great get. Harris has the ability to play early but that will depend on his development. If he works hard enough, he could play on Sundays.
*Anthony Boyles – Wide Receiver, 6-2 185, Serra HS, Senior
The attribute I like most about this kid is his swagger. He’s a confident kid with a very good upside. Boyles is athletic, explosive to the ball, has body control and catches the football well. Anthony has the feet and hips to be able to come in and out of breaks, good speed but isn’t track-fast. However, with work at the next level, he’ll get bigger, stronger and faster.
When Boyles gets to college, he’ll excel as a receiver because he has the tools to be very good. He has yet to scratch the surface of his ability. For a large part of his high school career, he had to play quarterback and other positions out of necessity. On the other hand, with his size and athleticism he could be equally as effective as a safety. There are teams lukewarm on Anthony because he doesn’t jump out at you with his speed or stats, but they’ll be playing against him and his best days are ahead.
*Duke Ihenacho – Safety, 6-0.5 185, Serra HS, Senior
Ihenacho is one of those sleepers. He has only played a couple years of football and is obviously still developing his game. He’s a raw kid, who’s athletic, can accelerate to the ball and competes. Duke has long arms and good range, along with ball skills, which will make him a good safety prospect at the next level.
Once he gets more reps, he’ll be a factor for somebody’s defense, until then he should be a monster on special teams. Like his brother, who plays at San Jose State, he’ll learn the game and be a good college player.
Serra has at least seven seniors who are being looked at by D1 schools. This includes, Apaiata “Apai” Tuihalamaka, who has been injured for most of the year but is committed to Colorado, Sean Hurd, Remmington Wilson, Jeremy Wicker and the three mentioned above.
The cupboard won’t be bare for the Gardena school as there are some good underclassmen to look for next year. Malcolm Murray (WR) and Cameron Faniel-Jones (DL) are top prospects from the 2008 class to watch.
Saturday, November 11, 2006 – Cerritos College vs. Santa Ana College
*Chad Manis – Quarterback, 6-4 210, Cerritos College, Freshman
Chad is a true freshman but hasn’t played football for over a year. He was a back up to Jimmy Barnes at Los Alamitos High School before Barnes went on to the University of Alabama in 2004. In 2005, he was required to transfer to Lakewood High School where he didn’t play football. He’s now the quarterback at Cerritos in his first year of college.
Manis is a tough kid has good size and can take a hit. He’s running a read/option offense but is more of a drop back guy. He runs well enough and is a good enough athlete but doesn’t have the shiftiness or quickness to be real effective in that system. Chad can spin the ball and is fairly accurate. He has good arm strength but looks a little mechanical. He’s an arm thrower occasionally, which is not a surprise after missing so much time under center.
You can see his presence in the huddle and his decision making are developing, both good signs for a QB who’s trying to take the next step. Playing this fall with Cerritos College used up one of his years of eligibility; this will leave him with four years of college to play three. Most likely he will transfer to a four year school at mid year to start learning their system. Whoever signs Manis will be getting a player with a lot of potential and a guy who has already taken some college snaps.
*Brennan Houston – Tight End, 6-3 280, Cerritos College, Sophomore
The former Gahr High School standout is “a load” to say the least. Brennan is playing tight end now but has always looked like a big time defensive tackle or a guard.
His athleticism, feet and soft hands are very good for a big man trying to be a skill player. He could play tight end for a lot of teams and be effective or move to DT and be special. In fact, he might have a chance to play at a high level if he was a guard or center. Now, sometimes convincing a skill player to get his knuckles dirty is a losing battle because of many factors, one being toughness. This isn’t a problem for Houston.
There are a couple scholarship offers on the table for Brennan as a tight end but if schools get convinced he will switch positions, more will come.
Saturday, November 18, 2006 – Chaparral HS vs. Mullen HS
I attended a couple Colorado High School playoff games. Below are some evaluations of top college players from the Rocky Mountain State.
*Steve Watson – Tight End, 6-4 245, Mullen HS, Senior
Steve is a great looking kid. He has a thick, powerful lower body and loves the weight room. He’s athletic, has good feet and can bend his knees. If there is a weakness in his game, it’s that he’s not the most natural catcher of the football. Watson will be able to do everything a tight end is asked to do; wham block, pass protect and knock a defender off the ball when necessary. He’s really improved his blocking because he comes off the ball so well and he is more physical.
He’s committed to the University of Michigan … the rich keep getting richer. Steve’s dad is a former wide out for the Denver Broncos and currently coaches the receivers for the NFL team.
*Devin Aguilar – Wide Receiver, 6-1 180, Mullen HS, Senior
The young receiver has just scratched the surface of his talent. He is very athletic, fluid, has good balance and agility. Devin uses his body well for position, can adjust to the ball in the air and catches the football effortlessly. He’s a terrific playmaker and has an impact on every game for the Mustangs. Aguilar is a little bit of a glider and is faster than you think. When he realizes how important blocking and some of the little things are in this game, he could be a big time player.
He’s also a talented punt returner and reverse threat. He’s imaginative and has good vision. The all star in football is also an all state performer for the basketball team at Mullen. Devin helped them win the state basketball championship last year. Aguilar is committed to the Washington Huskies.
*Shawn Daniels – Offensive Guard, 6-3 270, Mullen HS, Senior
Shawn’s going to follow his brother to the University of Colorado. The Buffaloes are getting a very solid guard prospect. He comes off the ball well and competes. Daniels plays with good pad level, leverage and has a strong punch, he uses his hands well too.
The road grader has ok feet and athleticism, making him more effective in the box but he can get up to the second level to block linebackers, when needed. I like the street-fighter mentality he brings to the game.
Phillip Morelli – Running Back, 5-11 190, Mullen HS, Senior
Tough and relentless were the two words that came to mind watching this kid play. Morelli is a great competitor with good vision, quick feet and good balance. He’s fun to watch. Phillip has the knack and desire to always make positive plays and seems to get better as the game goes on. He’s equally as dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield and will be a “sure fire” stud on special teams. Are there any more superlatives left to describe a player?
This kid could probably play fullback or safety at the next level as well. He’s committed to Colorado State and they’re lucky to have him.
*Clint Brewster – Quarterback, 6-1 190, Mullen HS, Senior
Clint is a very accurate, crisp passer. He has a good arm and can make every throw. His presence and calmness on the field are just what a team needs at the quarterback position. Brewster loves the sport and has a great grasp of what’s going on in front of him; he’s grown up with the game and it shows.
As a leader, he is tough and intense. He runs the offense very efficiently and shows a lot of patience and moxey under pressure. Clint isn’t a fast kid but has the escapability gene that quality signal callers must have. He also has very good footwork which helps him get his feet set to throw and move inside the pocket.
Brewster is committed to the University of Illinois and is the son of former Illini, Tim Brewster, who is currently the tight ends coach for the Denver Broncos.
*Jack Harris – Offensive Tackle, 6-7 255, Chaparral HS, Sophomore
This is a very raw kid but has the size and athleticism to be a possible top prospect by next fall. Jack could be a huge kid. He plays offensive tackle and defensive end but projects to an O lineman as his best position, if he can put on the weight. He moves his feet, looks like he runs well and can bend his knees. He’s also a tough kid and doesn’t shy away from the battle in the trenches, even though he’s a young pup. All of the tools are there, so his development is the key to his potential as a college recruit. Harris is worth watching.
Saturday, November 25, 2006, Mullen HS vs. Douglas County HS
*Bryce Givens – Offensive Tackle, 6-5.5 250, Mullen HS, Junior
Givens has all the measurables to project as an offensive tackle at the next level. He’s at least 6-5 and only 250 pounds (missed a playoff game due to illness and lost some weight) but has a frame to get big. Bryce has long arms is athletic and has good feet to play on the edge. He can bend his knees and roll his hips, which help him finish his blocks. Givens also does a nice job attacking linebackers at the second level. I like that this kid has some toughness and will compete too.
The top prospect is still pretty raw, with work to do on technique. He gets out over his feet sometimes reaching for the defender and he has to improve the use of his hands. Both of these issues will get better in time and he’ll become a big time lineman. Mr. Givens is going to be a top recruit in Colorado and the west. He has a very good upside.
*Nolan Brewster – Safety, 6-1.5 195, Mullen HS, Junior
The “John Lynch” type player is a tough, physical kid who loves to play the game. Nolan has great recognition, anticipation and reaction to what’s going on in front of him. He has good feet and runs pretty well.
Brewster is also a vicious tackler, knocking out players in both games I attended. The kid wants to make every tackle and plays with a terrific motor and effort. The recruiting process has already been busy for the coach’s son, Tim Brewster, Denver Broncos, as he has offers from schools in the ACC, SEC and PAC 10.
*Luke Diehl – Linebacker, 5-11 195, Douglas County HS, Senior
This is one of my favorite players to watch. He’s not real big or fast but he never stops competing, he is very active and a tough kid. Luke has great instincts and reacts well to the guards and backs flow, putting him in a position to make a play. Diehl does have trouble at the point of attack because of his size and will be better off playing on the outside, or maybe as a strong safety near the line of scrimmage.
He’s committed to Colorado State and will fit their style of play perfectly. Luke’s one of those guys who gets overlooked by the bigger schools but will excel for the Rams on special teams early and then as an every down player in time.
Bonus coverage of a top player of interest in Colorado
I got to see some tape on a QB from Denver by the name of Jack Elway. Now, I’m assuming this name sounds familiar, as it should. He’s the son of the former great quarterback of the Denver Broncos, John Elway.
*Jack Elway – Quarterback, 6-3 190, Cherry Creek HS, Junior
Not surprisingly, he has a strong arm and can make every throw. Jack can get the ball out quickly and doesn’t have much wasted motion. However, he’s still pretty raw and needs to work on footwork which will help his consistency with accuracy. Elway can throw the deep ball with little effort and he shows a good touch on intermediate throws as well.
The game I saw, he ran everything out of the shotgun, so it remains to be seen how he moves his feet coming from under center. He is still developing as an athlete and didn’t show great quickness but wasn’t asked to move out of the pocket much.
With his pedigree and natural ability, he could be a top player by this summer. He’s worth watching!