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After a long and turbulent recruiting process, former Oaks Christian wide receiver Jordan Payton is firmly ingrained at UCLA and ready to contribute as a freshman. At 6’2 200, Payton has the size, speed and play-making ability to warrant the interest he received. It is top flight recruits like Payton that exemplify the new Jim Mora era in Westwood.

Danny "DSPN" Dabiri (Editor)

Football

CA California

Taft High School put in work tonight at Cal State Dominguez Hills. The LA City Section Division I Final Four got off to a hot start, as the Taft Toreadors jumped all over Crenshaw High School in the opening minutes. Taft was able to build an early lead over Crenshaw, and led 31-13 with 4:28 left in the second period.

Aaron Plunkett (Publisher)

Basketball

CA California

The talent pool of student-athletes spread throughout California’s high schools is no mystery. However, West Coast preps seem to lack the national exposure granted to other sports recruits in U.S. States throughout the South and Midwest, such as Texas, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida.

Aaron Plunkett (Publisher)

Football

CA California

Supremely talented UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley should make quite a splash in the Pac-12 this upcoming season. After redshirting last season, the former five-star recruit from Chandler High in Arizona is primed to lead the Bruins to glory.

Danny "DSPN" Dabiri (Editor)

Football

AR Arizona CA California

The Toreadors Commitment to Excellence

William Howard Taft High School is a football powerhouse in Southern California. Historically, Taft has produced a number of figures whose names have become synonymous with the game of football. With roots that stretch throughout the college and NFL ranks, a number of former Toreadors have gone on to play at the NCAA and professional levels. New York Giants wide receiver and Super Bowl Champion Steve Smith, along with Seattle Seahawks signal caller Josh Portis, are both products of Taft High School.

Antwaun Woods (L) and DJ Morgan (R) pictured here at Taft HS Los Angeles

DJ Morgan. USC RB and former Taft High School football player. LA area recruits

Antwaun Woods. 2011 Under Armour All-American DT. Taft HS, USC d-lineman

Michael Bercovici, Arizona State Sundevils quarterback. Taft HS QB, 2011.

Lucky Radley signed with Utah Utes. Running back, 2010, Taft HS Football.

Everyone knows about Taft. You just don’t know.

Next time you’re in the Los Angeles region, take a close look into the sky beyond the haze of smog that blankets much of the area some days. If you look closely, what appears to be a bridge has slowly begun to form above the path from William Howard Taft High School to the University of Southern California campus.

Aaron Plunkett (Publisher)

Football

CA California

Antwaun Woods, USC DT, Coach Ed Orgeron, Taft High School DT 2011 recruit

Hometown:

Inglewood, CA

Marqise Lee (DB/2011) came off a junior year in which he was a factor in two CIF State Championships (football & basketball) for the Gardena Serra High School Cavaliers. In the 2009 CIF football championship against Marin Catholic, Lee put the game away with an interception in the fourth quarter, which was arguably the best defensive play of the game. With their win on the hardwood, Serra became the first school in California State history to win a boy's basketball and football title in the same academic year.

Watch this CLA Sports exclusive video interview featuring University of Oregon pre-season Heisman Trophy candidate De'Anthony Thomas & USC linebacker Hayes Pullard while they starred at Crenshaw High School (Los Angeles, CA). Check out the post game interview, as well as highlights from the game vs. undefeated Culver City High School.

Aaron Plunkett (Publisher)

Football

CA California OR Oregon

De'anthony Thomas. Crenshaw High School. Black Mamba. Heisman Candidate

Watch this CLA Sports exclusive video coverage of Hayes Pullard while at Crenshaw High School (Los Angeles, CA). Pullard led the Cougars to a record of 14-1 as a senior. High school teammates De'anthony Thomas and Marcus Martin also went on to play at the college level, with Martin joining Pullard at USC, and Thomas electrifying the world of college football at the University of Oregon.