Video: Top 10 California football players heading into 2019 season Three quarterbacks and three defensive players lead the group.
Ronnie Lott, John Elway, Marcus Allen and Lynn Swann.
Those were four from a list of the
Top 25 all-time greatest high school football players that MaxPreps compiled a few years ago.
All four played high school ball in California.
It's a long, talented list to pick from, but here's our top 10 from the Golden State regardless of position heading into the 2019 season.
10. Shamar Garrett — De La Salle (Concord)He didn't make our running back or defensive Top 10 California lists, but there is no better combo player in the state. He also returns kicks effectively. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound senior led the Spartans with 1,076 rushing yards in 118 carries and 11 touchdowns and was perhaps better on defense. He had seven interceptions, two returned for touchdowns. His Spartans are ranked 18th nationally heading into 2019.
Shamar Garrett is swift, but also is strong enough to escape arm tackles.
File photo by Dennis Lee
The
6-4, 245-pound outside linebacker is ranked the fifth best junior
overall nationally because of his tremendous size, athleticism and
instinct. He has 25 college offers, including Oregon, USC, UCLA,
Alabama, Penn State, Georgia and Ohio State.
247Sports evaluation:
Has a prototype frame for a strong side rush end. ... He plays with
advanced technique, uses his hands well and has the power to bull rush
or long arm a tackle in to the quarterback or beat him off the edge with
quickness.
The
5-star wide receiver dominates over smaller defensive players and at 6-6 and
225 pounds, the incoming senior towers over almost everyone. In three
seasons, he's pulled down 150 passes for 2,426 yards and 35 touchdowns.
He has 37 offers, but Oregon, Texas, UCLA and Washington are his top
choices. He and Jermaine Burton make up the best receiving duo in the country.
247Sports evaluation: He's
a natural pass catcher who uses his size to box out smaller defensive
backs and is close to impossible to stop in jump-ball and red-zone
situations. His speed is deceptive, he has a better get-off than given
credit for and has enough top-end speed to get behind a defense and make
plays down the field. He's an advanced and smooth route runner as well,
and does a nice job setting up a corner and creating separation.
The 6-2, 312-pound center anchors the offensive line for the No. 1 team in the country and two-time defending state Open Division champs. He has 17 college offers, including Alabama, LSU, Florida and Notre Dame, but he's made a firm commitment to Washington.
247Sports evaluation: Versatile offensive lineman with the ability to play all three positions at the college level, but size wise, projects best as an interior lineman. Is athletic enough to play some tight end and even caught a touchdowns pass last season. Plays with a nice edge and mean streak.
Expect
a huge junior season for the 4-star, 6-3, 180-pound quarterback. He's ranked the No. 19 recruit overall from the Class of
2021 and already piled up 23 college offers, including Alabama, Miami,
Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Texas, Tennessee and
of course locals, USC and UCLA.
247Sports evaluation: A pure pocket passer
with a pure stroke and effortless delivery ... He
throws with touch and accuracy, can change speeds and already has an
advanced feel for the position ... Shows toughness in the
pocket and will stand in and take a hit to deliver the football."
5. Clark Phillips III — La HabraThe
5-11, 178-pound senior cornerback had seven interceptions as a
sophomore before quarterbacks decided not to throw his way in 2018, when
he had two picks. The fourth-rated corner in the country has 36 offers
throughout the land, but he's already committed to Ohio State.
247Sports evaluation:
Has a strong build and plays with a bulldog mentality. Doesn't have
great length but makes up for it with a physical style of play and
advanced technique … Has excellent ball skills and has really improved
in his ability to make a play on the ball without interfering. An
extremely competitive player who loves the challenge of taking on
another team's best receiver. Is physical in the run game and does a
nice job getting off blocks and making a tackle.
4. Kendall Milton — Buchanan (Clovis)His
uncle, Kevin Hardy, was the No. 2 pick in the 1996 NFL draft. At 6-2,
220, Milton utilizes a rare blend of power and speed to the running back position. The No. 3-rated
running back in the country from the Class of 2020 has 39 college
offers, but earlier this week picked Georgia.
247Sports evaluation: (Milton) runs
with a unique blend of power, speed and balance. Shows more shiftiness
than you'd expect from a back his size. His balance is top-notch. Can
take a hit and not lose his base and gains significant yards after
contact. Can run through holes and sees them before they open. Can hit
the hole and go.
3. Bryce Young — Mater Dei (Santa Ana)The dual-threat quarterback showed
why he's one of the best players in the country during his first year
at Mater Dei, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 39 touchdowns playing
against high school football's toughest competition. At 5-11, 183 pounds, his size isn't a big concern because of his sheer
athleticism and feel for the position. He's ranked the No. 37 player
overall in the Class of 2020 and shown time and again, a knack
for delivering in the clutch. He has 28 offers, but is a hard commit to USC.
247Sports evaluation: Has a live arm and is
able to throw just as well outside the pocket as does from inside ... His
ability to escape pressure and extend plays is as good as you'll see at
the high school level.
2. DJ Uiagalelei — St. John Bosco (Bellflower)The
2020 Clemson commit was the California Gatorade Football Player of the
Year after throwing for over 3,300 yards and 48 touchdowns while leading
St. John Bosco to a Top 5 finish during his junior season. The rugged
6-5, 245-pound quarterback already has NFL size, but it's surprisingly good
feet, escapability and a big arm that makes him the 13th-ranked recruit
overall in the country and No. 1 Pro-Style quarterback.
247Sports evaluation: Big, strong armed quarterback with generational arm strength ... Has a big
frame but looks lean and is well put together ... A plus athlete and natural
leader."
1. Justin Flowe — UplandThe
6-2, 225-pound senior linebacker is rated the top player overall in the
country by MaxPreps editor Zack Poff. He's ranked No. 3 by 247Sports.
He resembles a rocket ship exploding from the second line of defense
into the backfield. He hits with tremendous force and is extremely
productive with 311 career tackles. He has 39 college offers, including
Clemson, USC, Georgia, Arizona State and Oregon.
247Sports evaluation:
He has a powerful lower body, and plays with maniacal effort and passion
for the game. He has good straight-line speed and has worked hard to
improve his lateral mobility and ability to drop and cover. He's a huge
hitter and one of the most physical football players to come out of
California in years. He's relentless in how he plays, refuses to stay
blocked and does a great job in pursuit. He's tremendous getting in the
backfield and making plays.
Justin Flowe makes a habit of standing up ball carriers.
File photo by Rick Rowell
