While reputations can develop in the spring at football combines or over the summer at camps, they are typically earned on Friday nights in the fall.
Seniors recruits are writing the last chapter of their high school resumes, while 11th graders are hoping their skills this season will eventually shine through on junior highlight films.
With plenty of time to go before the 2010 season is in the books, here are 10 recruits whose stock is on the rise based on their performance thus far:
Cooper Rush, Junior, QB, Catholic Central (Lansing, Mich.)There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Catholic Central football these days, and it has little to do with Michigan State head coach Mike Dantonio making a halftime appearance at Saturday’s game.
6-foot-3 junior quarterback Cooper Rush has torn through opposing defenses, leading the Cougars to a sterling 5-0 record. He threw two critical touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to engineer a come-from-behind victory over previously unbeaten Williamston on Saturday. His size and production are starting to turn some heads around the state.
Darius Jennings, Senior, ATH, Gilman (Baltimore)One of the nation’s top uncommitted seniors, Darius Jennings has lifted his already sky-high stock this fall.
Through five games, Jennings has amassed nearly 1,500 total yards in leading Gilman to a 4-1 record (including victories over state powers DeMatha and Our Lady of Good Counsel). Breaking long runs has been his calling card this season, as he's proven he's a threat to score at any time. Most recently, he eluded tackles for a 71-yard touchdown
Cocoa running back Chevelle Buie
Photo by Kyle Dantzler
against Georgetown Prep on Saturday.
Chevelle Buie, Senior, RB, Cocoa (Fla.)Cocoa, a small school on the coast of central Florida, has slayed some major football giants this season thanks in large part to the fine play of running back Chevelle Buie.
Buie has rushed for 383 yards and six scores against the likes of Abilene, Olive Branch, and Thomas Jefferson. The Rutgers commit has also been a threat away from the backfield, accounting for 160 receiving yards. He will almost certainly enjoy a bump in Tom Lemming's final player rankings for the class of 2011.
Johnny Manziel, Senior, QB, Tivy (Kerrville, Texas)Few recruits have created bigger buzz this season than Johnny Manziel.
Manziel earned Air Force Player of the Week honors after compiling eight touchdowns in a 54-45 win against 5A Cibolo Steele. The dual-threat signal caller was originally committed to Oregon, but recently switched to the Aggies of Texas A&M.
He’s been one of the most effective players in the country regardless of position, and could begin to enter discussions about the nation's best dual-threat quarterbacks.
Qyendairs Griffin, Senior, RB, South Panola (Batesville, Miss.)If there's anyone who can rival Manziel’s credentials this season, it’s Qyen Griffin, who waited his turn at South Panola and is now the feature back on the nation's No. 2 team.
Replacing departed star Nicholas Parker, Griffin made the switch from the defensive side of the ball and has surpassed all expectations. He’s rushed for 992 yards and 14 scores despite rarely seeing time in the second half of games. The Tigers are legitimate contenders for a mythical national title, and Griffin is shaping up to be a serious college prospect, albeit a late bloomer.
Jahwon Akui, Senior, RB, St. Rita (Chicago)For years, the knock on Jahwon Akui has been that he’s simply too small to be a running back at the Division I level.
However, for whatever the 5-7, 190-pound Akui lacks in size, he is making up for in production. A deceptively physical runner, Akui has tallied 658 rushing yards and has found the end zone eight times. He is a major reason
Armwood's Josh Grady
Photo by Tom Lemming
why St. Rita is undefeated and a state title contender. Don't be surprised to see him playing in college.
Josh Grady, Senior, ATH, Armwood (Seffner, Fla.)Armwood, a 4A state title favorite, has quite a stockpile of talent. Head Coach Sean Callahan has trusted the keys to his team’s offense to senior Josh Grady, a move that is paying major dividends thus far this fall.
Grady has scored rushing and passing touchdowns in each of Armwood’s first three games. He’s a playmaker who may not have prototypical quarterback size, but possesses atypical speed at the position. He’ll be tested this weekend against rival Plant, but expect Grady to come to play.
Chase Hansen, Junior, QB, Lone Peak (Highland, Utah)The state of Utah is usually not known for its quarterbacks, but the Beehive State has a good one in Lone Peak’s Chase Hansen.
Hansen’s stock continues to rise following a 28-24 victory over Utah power Alta. In that game, the 6-3, 210-pound junior threw for 112 yards and rushed for 167 more, including an 83-yard touchdown run.
He suffered a concussion earlier in the season, but Hansen is showing no lingering effects and will continue to see his offer pool swell up.
Butch Pauu, Junior, LB, Servite (Anaheim, Calif.)Servite's defense has been a major storyline around Orange County so far this season, as the Friars have allowed just 23 points in four games.
Linebacker Butch Pauu, who doubles as the team's backup quarterback, is a focal point of the defensive unit. Athletic enough to grab interceptions and powerful enough to deliver punishing hits, Pauu’s versatility will make him a coveted recruit in the 2012 class.
Devin Fuller, Junior, QB, Northern Valley (Old Tappan, N.J.)One of the Garden State’s most dynamic athletes, Devin Fuller has been a potent offensive weapon for Northern Valley this season using both his legs and his arm.
He recently picked up an offer from Rutgers after eclipsing 500 yards rushing and passing in this first three games, en route to 14 total touchdowns. Expect Fuller to emerge as one of the top recruits in the Northeast next season.
