It's that time of year for aspiring college level athletes looking to improve their craft. The 2014 high school football season is in the rear view mirror and the all-star bowl games have run their course. For exceptional athletes like Oregon commit Travis Waller, National Signing Day marks the next step on the athletic journey.

Quarterbacks like Waller aren't born overnight. Hard work, dedication and the relentless pursuit of greatness pave the way to success. Quarterbacks serious about reaching the ultimate destination should seek out expert coaching with Steve Clarkson.

The state champion Gardena Serra Cavaliers football team began spring practice Tuesday. There were several college coaches in attendance to observe the talent laden Cavaliers in action.

Serra receiver Jordan Lasley has been busy in recent weeks balling out on the 7v7 circuit. Coach Shah from Utah was impressed enough with Lasley's skills to offer the 2014 wideout a scholarship this afternoon.

Jordan Lasley (2014) Serra WR: IMG 7v7 Video

Utah defensive backs Coach Sharrieff Shah was at Compton Centennial High School yesterday, and that wasn't the only surprise for rising 2014 DB Denzel Fisher. "We just opened spring practice today and I didn't even know they was coming," he told CLA yesterday.

Fisher was held out of practice with a sore back, but that didn't stop the Utes from extending an offer to the rangy 6'2 170 defensive back.

As a child, X'avier Shepherd was a far cry from being thought of as a future NCAA football player. Shepherd was literally afraid to put the pads on. Today, the Lakewood High School senior has a fan base in Utah that has been growing for the past several years, and he has now officially signed a National Letter of Intent to play football for the Utes in 2013.

Recent Utah football commit Dominique Hatfield (ATH/2013) was a beast against Dorsey. The senior football recruit had 2 interceptions, returning one to the house and scored on a sick TD catch at the back corner of the endzone on a dime from junior QB Ajene Harris in the first quarter.

Hatfield had several other nice grabs, including a snag on a deep ball down the Dorsey sideline from Harris with the added difficulty of a defensive pass interference call against the Dons.

The time has come. The 2012 college football season kicks off Thursday with a good set of games to get the ball rolling.

The only ranked team on the slate are #9 South Carolina who opens the year on the road against Vanderbilt in an early season SEC clash.

Another intriguing story line is the debut of Brett Hundley as UCLA starting quarterback in head coach Jim L. Mora’s first game at the helm.

In the battle of the Cougars, Washington State travels to Provo to take on BYU in Mike Leach’s inaugural game as WSU head coach.

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