Tom Lemming tours the Centennial State and finds several hidden gems
At this time last season, most recruiting fans were already well aware of Mater Dei (Calif.) quarterback Matt Barkley and Lake Travis (Texas) signal caller Garrett Gilbert. Both were only juniors, but were already national names and bonafide top prospects.
This year’s crop of quarterbacks may not be quite as talented, or may just take longer to emerge.
During his recent tour of Colorado, Tom Lemming took note of rising senior Austin Hinder from Steamboat Springs, a ski resort town in the northern part of the state.
Hinder is a 6-foot-4, 185-pound pro-style quarterback who could end up being the top quarterback in the class of 2010. As more of a drop back passer, Hinder prefers sitting in the pocket and picking apart defenses to scrambling and using his legs.
“What’s happening is that everyone is getting divided between spread and pro-style quarterbacks,” Lemming noted. “Austin will definitely fit into the pro-style, even though he’s got great feet.”
Lemming also said that Hinder has All-American potential. He holds the honor of being the top player in the state, though it is a below average year overall in Colorado.
Still, there are a number of intriguing prospects and recruits who often go overlooked, as the Centennial State typically is not high on the list of early recruiting stops for college scouts and talent evaluators.
State Champs are Loaded: In January, I paid a visit to Mullen High School to present the football team with a trophy as part of the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard.
Fans and coaches were buzzing about the talent that Dave Logan’s squad would be returning in 2009. Tom Lemming’s visit backs this up, as Mullen will feature several impact players in the fall.
Linebacker Nduka Onyeali is one of the top players in the region. He rang up 19 sacks last year, and he has totaled 28 throughout his career. Lemming described Onyeali as an exceptionally mobile pass rusher with All-American potential.
Onyeali, however, is still waiting for his first offer.
Nduka Onyeali is a terror coming off the edge.
Dennis Marpuri
“To me, if he was in Chicago, he’d have at least ten offers,” Lemming said.
Teammates Dwayne Pecosky and Jonny Miller also have a future playing on Saturdays.
Pecosky is a 6-2 guard who has good speed and excellent strength. He may play center in college, according to Lemming.
Calling the shots behind center, Miller had a strong junior season and is beginning to attract Division-1 interest. According to Lemming, he’s got a big-time arm and would excel in more of a pro-style setting.
Further down the line, watch out for rising junior running back Adonis Ameen-Moore, who has already earned all-state honors twice. Also take note of freshman quarterback Cyler Miles, who has drawn early comparisons to Rockhurst (Mo.) quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase.
A Second All-American? One player has the potential to give Austin Hinder a run for his money as the state’s best and that’s Pueblo South’s Kivon Cartwright.
Since football ended, Cartwright has been a monster on the basketball court, showing his extreme athleticism. His 6-4, 225 frame allowed him to excel at defensive end and tight end for Pueblo South.
However, Cartwright is even further under the radar than his Denver counterparts.
“If he played in Denver, he’d have ten offers by now, He’s a legit All-American candidate,” Lemming said.
Reece Waits, Too: Freakishly powerful Fort Lupton star Reece James still awaits his first offer letter as well.
“He can play defensive tackle or offensive guard,” said Lemming. “He’s got great straightaway power, better than some of the college people I’ve seen.”
James is 6-4, 295 pounds and holds several weightlifting records. He benchpresses 415 pounds and has been clocked in the 4.9 range in the 40 yard dash.
Other names to know:
- Mister Jones, Littleton: Lemming missed seeing Jones, who was out of town during his trip, but hopes to see him on film soon. Jones is one of the state’s top rushers and has the chance for a breakout season.
Kain Colter may be heading to the Colorado.
Patrick Miller
- Austin Scheufele, Centaurus: Scheufele is one of the best heavyweight wrestlers in the state who is also a very sound two-way lineman.
- Mitch Griebel, Heritage: Air Force has already offered Griebel, who plays quarterback in high school but projects as a safety in college.
- Danny Spond, Columbine: Spond plays quarterback and defensive back in high school; his 6-3, 200 pound frame combined with his 4.6 speed make him attractive to colleges.
- Tyler Strong, Niwot: Strong made over 100 tackles last season at inside linebacker, but he will likely play with his hand on the ground in college.
- Josh Mitchell, Monarch: The 6-3, 210 pound Mitchell can line up at outside linebacker, inside linebacker, or defensive end, and will add even more weight to his frame before he gets to college
- Kain Colter, Cherry Creek: Colorado has offered Colter, who threw for over 1,700 yards last season; Lemming expects him to commit soon.
