Ryan Bass, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound running back from Centennial High School in Corona (Calif.), has added Minnesota to offer list, joining Arizona, Louisville, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Colorado State, UTEP and San Diego State. Although he denies a leader, Bass says he favors UCLA, Florida State, California, San Diego State and Arizona.
“I’d say Florida State and UCLA are my top two right now," Bass said. "UCLA has been recruiting me pretty hard. I went to the Washington State game last year at the Rose Bowl and talked with the coaches. I got a chance to visit the campus too. I really liked the atmosphere there. I felt really comfortable.
“I have a feeling they’re going to offer me, I think,” said Bass, who reports a 2.6 core GPA and will take the SAT for the first time in June.
“ I’ve talked with Coach (Dino) Babers a few times and he told me I could see some early play time, since they’re going to lose some guys next year.
“If UCLA offered, I’d have to think really seriously about it," he said. "I’d like to play in the Pac-10 and my parents really want me to go there. They love UCLA.
“I’ve always liked Florida State, ever since I was little. They’re my dream team, for sure. I haven’t talked to them at all, but I’ve gotten a lot of mail from them. We sent them my tape, so I’m just waiting to hear something. I’d like to take an official visit there at least.”
Bass said he was surprised to get his offer from Minnesota. “It came in the mail on April 5,” said Bass, who logged 2,351 yards and 36 touchdowns on 294 carries as a junior. "I had no clue. I’ve never really talked to them. I mean, I’ve got a couple of letters and have seen them play on TV, but that’s about all I know about Minnesota.
“I’m excited that I got the offer,” he said. “I’m definitely interested in learning more about the school and the program. I’d like to take a trip out there — possibly an official.
“San Diego State is up there too. They were my first offer,” he said. “My brother, (defensive end) Ray Bass, goes there so I know the school really well. That team is going to be good. They are getting stronger every year and I know I could play next year there. I really like the campus. Everything is so beautiful down there.
“Arizona offered me about a month ago. I talked to Coach (Mike) Stoops a couple of weeks ago and he told me that I’d have a chance to start early because they want to move to a shotgun offense and I’d be a perfect fit."
Bass, who benches 325 pounds, squats 445 and power cleans 295, says he also likes Cal and USC. “Cal has a great offensive style," Bass said. "They’re known for producing some good running backs.
“USC is great,” he said. “I’ve talked with Coach (Pete) Carroll and Coach (Todd) McNair, but really, they are probably too deep at running back for me. I don’t want to wait for two years to play.
“My biggest strength is my vision,” said Bass, who insists he runs a 4.45 forty. “I am great in the open field. I look at the entire field, not just straight in front of me and I can quickly adjust.
“I need to work on my pass blocking. I’m not bad, but I want to be ready for the next level and right now I don’t think I am.”