Top 2023 Northern California Prospects – Part III

<em>Here is part III of this series including the Top 2023 Northern California Prospects. Overall, this is a loaded class through out the entire region with strong position groups on both sides of the ball ranging from Power Five caliber players, to high floor D-III and NAIA prospects that will flourish at the next level. This segment includes record breaking prospects with no offers, to players that received Power Five offers after just their Freshman seasons. Year in and year out, this wide range of prospects is what makes Northern California a recruiting hot bed for a wide range of schools across all levels of college football. </em> &nbsp; <em><strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id="25387" first="Kai" last="Hall"] 5’8" 170 Ibs., St. Vincent de Paul High School</strong></em> [caption id="attachment_79393" align="alignleft" width="222"]<img class=" wp-image-79393" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/Screen-Shot-2020-12-07-at-9.47.56-PM-300x300.png" alt="" width="222" height="222" /> Photo: Courtesy of @KaiHallSVHS[/caption] One of the most talented backs in the entire state regardless of class, Hall is coming off of one of the most impressive Freshman campaigns of any player in the entire nation. In his first year of high school football, Hall rushed for over 1,700 yards and 15+ touchdowns all while leading the Mustangs to a 9-win season under Head Coach Trent Herzog. Although not holding any offers, that will soon change for the explosive and versatile back. On tape, Hall displays a unique ability to slip through arm/ankle tackles and runs with terrific balance and vision in traffic with cutback ability. He also possesses a good initial burst and third level speed which is a rare combination for a first year Varsity back. Also displaying the ability to run between the tackles and gain yards after contact, the talented Sophomore is looking to have another record breaking season for St. Vincent de Paul High School and should once again be in the running to lead the section in total rushing yards. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11448718/Kai-Hall">Freshman Year Film</a></strong></em> &nbsp; <em><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id="25363" first="Grant" last="Buckey"] 6’5" 250 Ibs., Liberty-Bakersfield High School</strong></em> [caption id="attachment_79396" align="alignright" width="219"]<img class=" wp-image-79396" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/Screen-Shot-2020-12-07-at-9.54.57-PM-300x256.png" alt="" width="219" height="187" /> Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="25363" first="Grant" last="Buckey"] 2023[/caption]The long framed Sophomore has a prototypical body type to be a high level college prospect at the offensive tackle or strong-side defensive end position. Already holding offers from San Jose State and UNLV, Buckey holds huge upside due to his length, frame and natural ability to bend and move for his size. Playing for one of the top teams in the Central Valley, the Liberty High School product displays great length with the ability to keep blockers away from his body and a strong initial punch. The two-way lineman can block both in the box and in space, while taking good angles to defenders and sustaining blocks through the second level. He also displays good lateral movement and patience in pass-pro and will develop into one of the top prospects in the entire state by the times it’s all said and done. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13026363/Grant-Buckey">Freshman Year Film</a></strong></em> &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="25378" first="Rico" last="Flores"] 6’2" 190 Ibs., Folsom High School </strong> [caption id="attachment_79507" align="alignright" width="208"]<img class=" wp-image-79507" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/Screen-Shot-2020-12-08-at-10.39.50-AM-240x300.png" alt="" width="208" height="261" /> Photo taken by: @jbainsinthecuts[/caption] The explosive and playmaking 2023 prospect is a recent transfer to Folsom High School after leaving near-by Capital Christian where he played his freshman season. Currently holding offers from Colorado, ASU and UNLV, Flores is a well balanced receiver that has terrific top end speed and strong hands/ball location skills in traffic. Smooth in and our of his breaks with the ability to sink his hips and be a vertical threat, Flores is a well put together athlete with a strong frame and has the ability to pack on more muscle as he continues to grow and develop. A sure fire Power Five prospect, the Folsom High School prospect will continue to see Major D1 college offers roll in as he continues his career for one of the top teams in the entire state. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/4097227/Rico-Flores-jr">Freshman Year Film</a></strong></em>