With high school and college football now fully underway, players and coaches at both levels are turning their attention to this weekend's opponent as the summer's recruiting flurry draws to a close for all parties.
That certainly does not mean that the recruiting process has ground to a halt. Conversely, game action provides players with an opportunity to send new highlights to colleges and gives recruiters an opportunity to have a fresh look at their targets.
Here are 10 players who have elevated their recruiting stock with their play early on this season:
Cayleb Jones, WR, Austin (Texas)One of the top players in the class of 2012, Jones exploded against
Belton (Texas) with 13 catches for 178 yards and four touchdowns. Among those grabs were two spectacular, one-handed catches that have become a hit on Youtube.
Trinity High's Hiva Lutui.
Photo by Kyle Dantzler
No unit looked more impressive this weekend than Trinity's offense, and in particular, Trinity's ground game. That was thanks in large part to the unheralded work of junior Hiva Lutui.
The 6-foot-2, 280-pound Lutui is a powerful, agile interior lineman who will be highly-coveted.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Hillcrest (Springfield, Mo.)It would be hard for Green-Beckham's stock to go much higher, but he's started off his junior season by demonstrating that 2009 was certainly no fluke.
Despite being the focal point of opposing teams trying to slow down Hillcrest, Green-Beckham has hauled in 12 catches for 258 yards and two touchdowns in the Hornets first two games.
Ryan Polite, QB, DeSoto (Texas)Polite has been on the radar for a number of years, since he started at DeSoto as a freshman. As a junior last season he totaled 4,056 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Colleges have been slow to offer to him, but his productivity speaks for itself. Polite does benefit from having some nice targets to throw at, but not everyone can throw for 313 yards and five touchdowns against
Bowie (Arlington, Texas).
J. J. Green, ATH, Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.)While much of the pre-game talk centered around the gifted athletes on
Central (Miami), J.J. Green showed that Camden County has some talent, too.
The 5-foot-7 Green returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and also lined up at running back in addition to his duties in the secondary. Only a sophomore, Green is already commanding recruiting interest.
Marquise Williams, QB, Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.)It's quickly becoming evident that Marquise Williams is one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
He may have been overshadowed by Christian Lemay last season, not getting the recognition he deserved. However, so far in 2010, he has been absolutely lights out, tossing 13 touchdown passes in three games and rushing for three more.
Williams will likely compete for playing time right away at UNC next year, but not before Mallard Creek makes a run at a state title.
Anas Hasic, WR, North Canyon (Phoenix, Ariz.)Following his mammoth start to the season (15 catches for 434 yards and three touchdowns), Hasic should see his recruiting interest start to pick up.
The 6-1 receiver was a bit under the radar to start the season, and still has something to prove. Continuing his current level of play for the rest of the season will certainly open more eyes to his talents.
Darreus Rogers, WR, Carson (Calif.)Victor Blackwell entered the Mater Dei/Carson game as the receiver with the most acclaim, but wide receiver Darreus Rogers left with the more productive game — and the victory.
The junior hauled in a long pass from quarterback
Justin Alo to set up the Colts' first score. He's one of the team's
Simeon High's Horatio Banks.
Photo by John Rowland
top athletes and could have a breakout year in store.
Horatio Banks, RB, Simeon (Chicago)The Simeon Wolverines have opened the season on a tear, following an upset win over
Mount Carmel (Chicago) with a blowout of Imagine College Prep. The play of senior running back Horatio Banks has much to do with the team's strong start.
Banks rushed for 151 yards and 131 yards in the team's first two games. With his speed, he's already picked up an offer from Ball State, but should attract more attention in the coming months.
Charles Tigue, DE, East St. Louis (Ill.)Verbally committed to Eastern Illinois, Tigue has already posted six sacks in two games to help East St. Louis to a 2-0 start.
The Flyers have yet to face an Illinois opponent, having beaten
Indianapolis Cathedral (Indianapolis) and
Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). But with Tigue and the rest of his 2011 classmates, the team is poised for a deep playoff run and a possible state title.
