The numbers these five players put up last season were staggering but college attention has been slow to follow.
Video: High school football stars flying under the radar
These guys put up insane numbers in 2015 – what do they have to do to get an offer?.
MaxPreps High School Football Countdown
Today — Big time players flying under the recruiting radar
Aug. 18 — High-octane offenses
You don't have to be a top recruit to be a great high school football player.
In fact, you don't have to be a recruit at all.
Here are five seniors who have not yet even been offered a college scholarship, yet their production all ranked among the nation's best in 2015. Four of the five players led teams to at least 11 victories in 2015.
Photos by Andy Nietupski and Doug Stringer
There's one reason why Boyd has no college offers. He stands 5-foot-10. Otherwise, what else is there not to like? Last season the 180-pounder led the 12-2 Eagles by completing 291 of 464 passes (63 percent) for 4,139 yards, 46 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 334 yards.
RB Jullen Ison, Moreau Catholic (Hayward, Calif.)The
5-8, 185-pounder burst onto the San Francisco Bay Area scene last year, rushing for
3,044 yards and 43 touchdowns for the 11-2 Mariners. Fast and physical,
Ison also had 16 catches for 388 yards and two scores and was a physical
force at defensive back while recording 70 tackles. Ison is probably the closest of the five in
this space to secure a scholarship. Pac-12 schools Cal, Oregon and
Oregon State have shown interest but no one yet has offered him a
scholarship. His lack of size or breakaway speed appears to be
detracting recruiters. The Mariners' coaching staff all promise he's a
legitimate college player.
WR Luke Montgomery, Glendale (Springfield, Mo.)What
more does a guy got to do? The 6-1, 195-pound receiver caught a
remarkable 123 passes last year for 1,936 yards and 27 touchdowns for
the 5-7 Falcons. This after 81 catches for 951 yards and nine TDs as a
sophomore. Last year he caught at least 10 passes in seven of the 12
games, scored at least two touchdowns in all but three games and
had highs of 19 catches, 280 yards and four scores. Despite it all,
nothing on the recruiting front.
Jack Newman, Analy
File photo by Greg Jungferman
As a sophomore, Newman watched senior quarterback Will Smith throw for 3,177 yards and 46 touchdowns for an 11-2 team. When Smith graduated, it was supposed to take time for Newman to adjust. Instead the 6-1, 185-pound junior obliterated school records with 298 completions (second in California) for 4,051 yards (fourth) and 53 touchdowns (first). He also threw just seven interceptions, leading Analy to 13 straight wins before a 38-28 loss to Campolindo (Moraga) in the section championship game. Despite all his numbers and acclaim — first team All-Metro by the San Francisco Chronicle – no college offers. Perhaps the fact he plays basketball and baseball has scared off recruiters.
RB Jared Smith, Pewamo-Westphalia (Pewamo, Mich.)He was the nation's third-leading rusher in 2015 with 314 carries for 3,243 yards and 53 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 205-pounder rushed for more than 100 yards every game and scored at least four touchdowns in 10 games for the 13-1 Pirates, who lost in the Michigan Division 7 title game to Ishpeming 22-16. As a sophomore, Smith rushed 2,136 yards and 30 touchdowns. He does have some interest from Ball State, Akron, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and even Michigan. But as of yet, no offers. Perhaps there's some mistaken identity with Jared, one of seven Smiths on the team last season. The 2016 roster features six players with the last name of Smith.
