Post Signing Day: Northern California Best Available Part II
The 2021 recruiting cycle has been a complete disaster for the entire class, especially within the state of California. Coaches have not been able to recruit off-campus and on-campus and all in home visits have all been cancelled for the…
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Continue ReadingThe 2021 recruiting cycle has been a complete disaster for the entire class, especially within the state of California. Coaches have not been able to recruit off-campus and on-campus and all in home visits have all been cancelled for the past 9 months. Due to these complications because of COVID-19, the next 6 weeks before the second and final signing day is a crucial time for the 2021 class as time is running out to find a 4 year college home. Here is part II of this series in which we will look at some of the best available 2021 prospects that range from holding no offers, to holding a few offers, but did not sign during the first signing day period this past Wednesday. These prospects all have the athletic tools to play at the next level and will help any team that offers them the chance to be apart of their program.
DL Aric Eades, San Joaquin Memorial HS
Very stout against the run, the interior defender can play multiple positions along the defensive line and has an array or pass rush moves in his tool shed/is a balanced defender along the defensive line.
WR Loren Johnson, Garces Memorial HS
One of the best overall athletes in the Central Valley, Loren has really helped his recruiting stock this off-season by attending showcases and camps. He clocked in a sub 4.5 40 YD last month at the National Preps Showcase and has natural length, strong hands and is an explosive athlete in the open field.
OL Thomas Lett, Garces Memorial HS
One of the most under-rated offensive lineman in the Central Valley but also holding a few DII offers, Lett projects as an interior OL at the next level and relies on size, strength and initial punch to win at the point of attack. As we approach the next signing day, he should see his recruiting stock rise.
RB Jalen Smith, Garces Memorial HS
Playing for one of the most talented rosters in the Valley, Jalen is a two-way star and projects as a power back/inside linebacker at the collegiate level. A physical and punishing runner that is best from tackle to tackle and can get North and South quickly, Smith is a versatile athlete that can really flourish as a linebacker as well at the next level.
QB Haden Mann, Liberty-Bakersfield HS
Another under-rated Central Valley prospect, Mann has the tools to be a collegiate quarterback, and a good one at that. On tape, he displays good pocket comfortability and mobility while possessing a quick release and has the ability to make in-breaking and out-breaking throws from all body positions with good velocity and power.
TE Larry Brown, Stockdale HS
A high upside prospect that has still not reached his potential, Brown is one of the most intriguing prospects in the Valley due to his natural size and overall athleticism. At the next level, Brown could fit nicely at a 4-3 DE or 3-4 outside linebacker and possesses good upside due to his natural length and frame.
LB Jared Lyon, Marin Catholic HS
One of the most talented linebackers in the Bay Area, Lyon is your prototypical new-age linebacker. At 210+ pounds he can play both inside and outside at the next level and has terrific overall athleticism and natural strength. A extremely physical and tough playmaker with quick play recognition and natural instincts/closing speed, Lyon projects as a FCS level player at the next level.
ATH Jalon Jackson, Buhach Colony HS
Along with Loren Johnson, Jackson is another Central Valley kid who helped his stock this off-season. A long and rangy athlete that can play on both sides of the ball, Jackson should start to see Mid Major interest and FCS schools take notice as he kicks off his Winter football season in California.
DL Oki Hautau, Palma HS
Already holding multiple offers, Oki has great athleticism for his size and is a technician in the trenches. A great use of hands and pad level at the point of attack and good closing speed in the box and a quick first step, the Palma prospect should continue to see offers roll in over the next 6-weeks.
OL/DL Vincent Carter, Granite Bay HS
One of the most versatile two-way lineman in the entire section, Carter has ideal size and athleticism to play offensive line at the next level, and successfully at that. Displaying natural bend and hip fluidity through out his blocks, the Granite Bay prospect should start to reel in some college offers over the next month.
QB Anthony Grigsby, Cosumnes Oaks HS
Already holding a few offers and one FCS offer from Idaho, the Cosumnes Oaks Quarterback is coming off of a huge Junior season where he was able to display his strong pocket awareness, overall athleticism and quick release/downfield velocity on his long and medium balls. A true dual-threat quarterback, in the right system Grigsby could really flourish at the next level.
DL Benjamin Newman, Granite Bay HS
A technician along the defensive line, Newman is a physical and strong defender that will fit nicely along the interior DL at the next level. A high motor player that wins with strength and use of hands, he also displays the ability to rush the passer and has good closing speed while playing in the box and in a small pocket.
DL Chase Esty, Placer HS
Already holding an offer for New Mexico State and playing for one of the best teams in the region, Esty is a stout defender that flourishes against the run but is athletic enough and has enough bend to also rush the passer from the 3-tech or 5-6-tech position at the next level.
DL Malachi Ajayi, Del Campo HS
One of the most under-rated players in the entire state, Ajayi is an extremely talented pass rusher with natural first-step quickness and hand usage through out his rush. A true natural bender that understands angles and converting speed to power, the Del Campo product has stayed patient during his recruiting process but should start to see it take off as recruiting boards are altered and rearranged.
LB Austin Hauptman, Whitney HS
A true tackling machine that is most effective in-between the tackles, Hauptman is one of the most productive linebackers in the region and plays with great toughness, physicality and a high football IQ. A strong prospect that runs well for his size, the Whitney High School product is poised to have a huge Senior season and will really benefit from being able to get Senior film out to colleges.
DL Dean Abdullah, Antelope HS
Holding a FCS offer from Eastern Washington, Abdullah decided to wait until he signed with EWU until the next and final signing day period so he can explore all his options. A two-way starter at a Junior for a top team in the section, the defensive end and guard projects as a 4-3 defensive end at the next level and can also play 3 or 5-tech. On tape, he is a true technician that plays with great physically, hand placement and can sustain and finishes blocks on both levels with good athleticism and body control.
DB Jerry Huddleston, Antelope HS
A long and rangy corner, Huddleston excels in both man and zone coverage due to his high football IQ, fluid hips and true understanding of responsibilities in the back end. Also possessing good high point ability and breaks well to ball carriers, his length makes him one of the most intriguing corners that Norcal has to offer.
RB/DB Isaiah Bass, Capital Christian HS
During his Junior season, Bass was an extremely explosive playmaker that scored from all three phases of the game. Possessing elite open field speed, strong hands and good short area quickness, he should start to see his recruiting pick up as we draw closer to the second round of signing day. Bass currently holds offers from Fresno State and Southern Oregon.
OL Joaquin Gamez, Capital Christian HS
Holding offers from New Mexico State and NAU, Gamez is a massive athlete that wins with initial punch, leg drive and finish. Playing tackle at the high school level, Gamez projects as an interior player at the next level but in the right system is athletic enough to play in space and help anchor an offensive line.
OL/DL Kelvin Jackson, Center HS
Holding offers from Linfield and Black Hills State, Jackson is a violent player that has great strength and power at the point of attack. Carrying no bad weight and stout frame, Jackson has a good use of hands and placement at the point of attack and can get off blocks with no wasted movement and without giving up ground/false steps. He should start to pull in more offers through the Spring if he does not sign in February.
LB Isaiah Bobbitt-Byars, Cosumnes Oaks HS
Holding a FCS offer, Bobbitt-Byars is coming off of a very productive season for the Wolfpack. On tape, he is a downhill aggressive defender that triggers well and finishes tackles both in the box and in space. He also shows quick play recognition and can blitz from multiple angles and positions along the defense due to his ability to bend and good burst off the ball. A very balanced defender that projects as an inside linebacker at the next level, he should start to see more offers roll in as he draws closer to his hopefully Senior season.