|
|
|
National Recruiting Analyst
Posted Jul 3, 2007
|
|
The Scout.com Pre-season State Rankings for the Class of 2008 will be released through next Friday. Today, California, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Virginia and Wisconsin are all unveiled. Leading the way are running back Darrell Scott, quarterback E.J. Manuel and wide receiver DeAndre Brown.
|
The state of California is once again blessed with an abundance of talent including the country’s top running back and three of the nation’s top seven offensive tackles.
"As usual, California has its share of elite prospects and the headliners are on the offensive line, where USC has cleaned house with commitments from Matt Kalil (Anaheim, Calif.), Matt Meyer (Stockton, Calif.) and Tyron Smith (Moreno Valley, Calif.),” said Brandon Huffman, West Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “And of course, the nation's top running back, Darrell Scott (Ventura, Calif.) calls the Golden State home.”
DeAndre Brown
When it comes to receivers the Magnolia State has one with as much upside as anyone in DeAndre Brown (Ocean Springs, Miss.). He has size, speed and boy can he catch the football. The state of Mississippi also has one of the most talented safety prospects in America in Darius Barksdale (Batesville, Miss.). “(DeAndre) Brown is such a special player at 6-6, 220-pounds and runs with such speed that high school players have no clue how to play against him,” said Miller Safrit, Southeast Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “(Darius) Barksdale is a guy who has no fear. He loves to change the tempo with one of his infamous game-changing hits over the middle.”
E.J. Manuel
The state of Virginia is deep and talented this season. At the top a signal caller who just committed out of state leads the way and he is one of the nation’s finest prospects. “E.J. Manuel (Virginia Beach, Va.) may be the best quarterback in the country,” said Bob Lichtenfels, East/Midwest Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “He recently pledged to Florida State, who desperately needed a big time signal caller. The state’s No. 2 rated player is Deion Walker (Christchurch, Va.) and he reminds us a lot of Vidal Hazelton from the 2006 class, but Walker may be faster. He’s coveted by every program in the country.”
Jameel Owens
The state of Oklahoma is led this year by a speedy wideout that is a super long ball threat. “Wide receiver Jameel Owens (Muskogee, Ok.) separated himself from the rest of the pack atop the Oklahoma rankings with his athletic ability and physical play,” said Greg Powers, Midlands Recruiting Analyst for Scout.com. “The next six players are very closely grouped talent wise and could be almost interchangeable within the rankings.”
The state of Wisconsin last year had some big name players among the national elite like offensive tackle Josh Ogelsby. This season is a little different. Nonetheless, there are still some good players from Wisconsin. “There are no John Clay's or Josh Ogelsby's in this Wisconsin class, but there is still some very good talent,” said Lichtenfels. “Tyler Westphal (Menasha, Wi.) and Peter Konz (Neenah, Wi.) are standouts that have both committed to stay in-state and play for the Badgers. Shane Covington (Milwaukee, Wi.) may be the best athlete in this group.
Tomorrow, Scout.com will release the state rankings of Texas, North Carolina, Oregon, Iowa, and Alabama.
|