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.
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.
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.
The Tim Tebow Experience has descended upon Southern California this week for a little off-season mechanics tweaking. According to ESPN, the Denver Broncos starting quarterback has sought the expertise of UCLA quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone to improve his craft.
Tebow and Mazzone have worked together before and have maintained a relationship for some time. The main objective is to develop Tim into a more efficient passer. Accomplishing this feat is no small task and definitely remains a work in progress.
Ranking high school recruits is not an exact science. Well, if you compare ranking high school recruits to how NFL players are scrutinized, it isn’t very scientific. On the morning of April 27th 2012, Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay would have helped determine the fate of the first 32 picks of the NFL Draft. Similarly, the likes of ESPN, Rivals.com and Scout.com compile rankings and analysis of high school recruits. The particular ranking of a recruit can significantly improve or reduce that player’s stock and be the difference between Division I, DII, DIII or less.
The lists for preseason Heisman candidates are in full circulation. The process of eliminating candidates has already begun, thus we have assembled the “CLA Sports Preseason Heisman Top 5 List.”
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.
The Bay Area has long been a hot bed for quarterback talent. It has produced the likes of Tom Brady and Jim Plunkett. Freshman Foothill quarterback Kyle Kearns hopes to carry on the tradition. Under the tutelage of famed quarterback guru Roger Theder since 7th grade, Kearns has always dedicated himself to getting better. Kearns has also worked closely with coach Will Hewlett, who he attributes much of his success.
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.
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.
