Ronald Powell leads California
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millers@scout.com
Posted Jan 25, 2010
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Scout.com finalizes its first set of state rankings today with with Arizona, California, Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Washington.
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The top player in California has jumped around from Chris Martin to Robert Woods to Ronald Powell. After an incredible performance in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, it is defensive end Powell who stands at the top in the final Scout.com California Top 100, but there are some elite ball-carriers right behind him.
"While the nation's premier defensive player, Ronald Powell, calls the Golden State home, this year was the year of the running back," said Brandon Huffman, West regional manager for Scout.com. "Eight running backs from California are in the Scout 300 and three are in the top 50, the powerful Malcolm Jones, the versatile Brennan Clay and the productive Dillon Baxter. There's not been a deeper and more talented year in the state in the backfield since the class of 1998, that featured Justin Fargas and DeShaun Foster."
A pair of five stars sit at the top of the Michigan Top 40, including one of the best looking prospects at the UnderArmour All-America Game in defensive end William Gholston.
"Michigan is not as deep this year as it has been in recent years, but I think there will be quite a few impact players that come out of the top of this group which has two five-stars and a handful of four-stars," said Midwest manager Allen Trieu. "This is definitely the strongest quarterback year I've seen out of the state, with four kids going to BCS schools, all with the chance to play somewhat early."
The New Jersey Top 45 is led by a pair of defensive ends headed to Pittsburgh in T.J. Clemmings and Don Bosco Prep star Bryan Murphy.
"If anyone wants to know just how good of a team Greg Toal has at Don Bosco Prep, look at the New Jersey state rankings where the Ironmen have four of the state's top 20 players led by defensive end Bryan Murphy, outside linebacker Steele Divitto, guard Brandon Sacco and running back Tony Jones," said Bob Lichtenfels, East regional manager for Scout.com. "While Bosco may have the best team the top player honors goes to Paterson Catholic five-star defensive end T.J. Clemmings who dominated the competition this season. The former basketball star may has as much upside as any defensive player in the country."
The New York Top 25 also has a new number one in defensive tackle Dominique Easley, who made one of the biggest jumps in the final Scout300.
"Dominique Easley is the King of New York," Lichtenfels added. "The talented defensive tackle prospect earned five-star status recently after a strong showing at the Under Armour All-American game in Orlando, Fla., another player who vaulted into the state rankings after his showing in the post-season was quarterback Cole Marcoux. Marcoux was unknown and unranked before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl earlier this month. Marcoux led the East squad to two late touchdowns and thrust himself onto the national map. In all, 25 players were in this years New York state rankings which is the deepest we have ever been able to go and it shows you that the Empire State is on the rise."
Marcus Lattimore may not be the top overall prospect in the Southeast, but the running back is still number one at his position in the country and overall in the South Carolina Top 30.
"Marcus Lattimore has been the top 2011 prospect in South Carolina for a couple of years and he did not disappoint in 2009," said Chad Simmons, Southeast regional manager for Scout.com. "Lattimore is a running back that is ready to perform on the collegiate level because of his durability, vision, blocking ability, and hands out of the backfield. He is a clear cut number one and there was never any question about him being the best in the Palmetto State."
The Washington Top 25 has a familiar name at the top with quarterback Jake Heaps leading the way, but the biggest story is just how deep the state is this year.
"There's no question the Evergreen State is on a roll in 2010; it has produced 17 players rated three stars or above and commitments made to a dozen Division-1 teams, compared to 14 prospects rated three stars and above and commitments made to seven Division-1 teams for the 2009 recruiting class," said Chris Fetters, Northwest regional analyst for Scout. "And beyond that, there was only one four star player in 2009 (Gino Simone), whereas in 2010 there is one five-star talent (Jake Heaps), and four 4-star prospects (Sione Potoa'e, Aaron Dunn, Colin Porter and Chris Young). The facts stand; Washington has produced real impact players this year from top to bottom. No one doubts the star-power of Heaps and Potoa'e; but prospects like Bothell TE Michael Hartvigson, Ferris QB Connor Halliday, North Mason OT John Fullington, Skyline OLB Cooper Pelluer, Heritage QB Garrett Grayson and Lakes CB Dee Maggitt have legitimate chances at being not just impact players at the next level, but stars."
A former number one in California and New Jersey, Chris Martin now finds himself as the top prospect in the Colorado Top 20.
"After a solid performance at linebacker during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl California commit Chris Martin has switched positions on the list, but he easily remains the top player in the state," said Midlands analyst Greg Powers. "With his size and speed it would not surprise anyone that he will be an edge rusher in college, but he also has the ability and knowledge to play standing up. The biggest riser on the list is senior phenom Joe Hemschoot who shot up the charts to the number three spot in the state. He is an aggressive, but slightly undersized linebacker, that will come up and deliver huge blows. He is also quick and good in coverage which has helped him add offers from schools like Colorado, Oregon and Stanford. After a shaky performance at the Army Bowl quarterback Austin Hinder dropped down from number two to number four, which caused him to slip out of the Scout300."
The Arizona Top 25 also has a familiar name at the top with Marquis Flowers solidifying his position at the top after the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
"Marquis Flowers started the season in the top spot and finished that way," said Jason Jewell, Southeast analyst for Scout. "The four-star safety committed to Arizona at the US Army
All-America game and with his commitment the Wildcats ensure that their secondary will be solid for years to come as Josh Robbins and Jourdan Grandon, two other DBs ranked in the state's top 15 have also verbally pledged to play in Tucson.
"Scottsdale Chaparral offensive tackle Jacb Ehm went from a non-starter as a junior to a top 20
pick as a senior. He spent his junior season playing behind Taylor Lewan (Michigan) but the 6-6 255 pounder became a hot commodity after proving he did more then just pass the eyeball test. Air Force may have gotten the steal on
this class in Ehm."
Stay tuned to Scout.com as Tuesday's state rankings release includes Alabama, Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin.
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