A season on the brink is now a season in a blink.
The North Coast Section high school football season for most teams will consist of four to six games, starting either March 12 or 19. A handful of the section's top players won't partake, instead either enrolled early to college or focused on staying healthy and fit for their next step.
Among those are the top three recruits in the Class of 2021 from the section, Napa tight end Brock Bowers (to Georgia), Kennedy (Richmond) tight end Jermaine Terry (Cal) and Liberty (Brentwood) defensive end Akili Calhoun (Cal). A third Cal-bound player, Pittsburg 6-foot-6, 315-pound lineman Ryan Lange also opted out of the high school season.
There's plenty more top and interesting players to watch over the next two months.
Note: If any of your players on this list have opted not to play, please let us know at mstephens@maxpreps.com.
Dorian Hale, De La Salle
File photo by Dennis Lee
Senior | Athlete | 5-11, 170 | Cal
First-team
All-State preseason as all-purpose player, Hearns is a flat-out play maker on both sides of the ball. Almost opted out to focus on college, but rejoined the Spartans last week.
2. Zeke Berry | De La SalleJunior | ATH | 6-0, 190 | Undecided
Will rush, catch and most of all defend from his safety spot for the Spartans. One of top recruits De La Salle has had in years.
3. Kaleb Elarms-Orr | Moreau Catholic (Hayward)Senior | DE | 6-3, 222 | Cal
Only 65 tackles but eight sacks in injury-plagued junior season, but raced up recruiting charts during a big offseason. Big upside.
4. Tsion Nunnally | Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa)Senior | WR | 6-2, 195 | Washington State
Climbed recruiting charts because of his length, speed and ability to make big plays. Had 45 catches for 770 yards and 10 TDs last season.
5. Dorian Hale | De La Salle (Concord)Senior | QB | 6-1, 190 | Sacramento State
Third-year starter turned the Spartans into a legitimate passing threat. Accounted for more than 2,600 yards and 26 touchdowns in perhaps 35 quarters of play. Like Hearns, returned to practice last week.
Senior | DE | 6-8, 280 | Nebraska
A rapidly rising prospect who had nine sacks as a junior. Assistant Antioch Brett Dudley said rather than speed past blockers, Weaver would rather "humiliate the person in front of him on his way to the person who has the ball."
7. Vincent Nunley | Freedom (Oakley)Senior | S | 6-1, 180 | Washington
Has 91 career tackles in two seasons and eight interceptions. Plays for same school that has produced NFL players Joe Mixon (Bengals running back) and Cardinals tight end Darrell Daniels.
8. Nikko Reed | Moreau CatholicSenior | ATH | 5-11, 170 | Colorado
Always around the ball, Reed has 13 career interceptions. He had 17 touchdowns last season, 10 receiver and seven on returns.
9. Brodie Tagaloa | De La SalleJunior | Tight end | 6-4, 260 | Undecided
Ranked the No. 52 junior overall in the state, Tagaloa's older brothers Boss (UCLA) and Beau (San Jose State) also starred at De La Salle.
10. Logan Kraut | Maria Carrillo (Santa Rosa)Senior | ATH | 6-2, 190 | Arizona
Emerged from relative obscurity. Scouts rave about his speed, athleticism and competitive nature. Likely a cornerback or safety in college with good size.
11. Alzillion Hamilton | HaywardSenior | CB | 5-11, 180 | Fresno State
Had four interceptions and five pass deflections as a junior, and also averaged 22.5 yards per catch with five touchdowns.
12. Maurice Jamison | Pittsburg Senior | LB | 6-3, 215 | UNLV
Numbers don't jump off the page with just 53 tackles in 13 games last season, but his potential and athleticism do.
13. JP Murphy | San Ramon Valley (Danville)Senior | TE | 6-4, 220 | San Diego State
Had 22 catches for 476 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. Catches everything, excellent speed.
14. Kai Peterson-Davison | Marin Catholic (Kentfield)Senior | C | 6-2, 270 | San Jose State
Not as big as another Marin Catholic product, USC defensive tackle Jamar Sekona, but might be just as effective on the interior line.
1
5. Matthew Quesada| PittsburgSenior | WR | 6-1, 185 | Undecided
Transfer from Freedom was first-team All-Bay Valley Athletic League last year with 61 catches for 853 yards and eight TDs. He and superb trio of sophomore receivers led by second-team All-BVAL selection
Rashid Williams, along with two talented transfer quarterbacks in
Eli Brickhandler and
Jaden Rashada, should make Pirates one of top passing teams in Northern California.
16. DJ Bryant | San LeandroSenior | ATH | 6-0, 170 | San Diego State
Conference offensive POY as a dual-threat QB, Bryant had 114 tackles, five interceptions and 20 pass deflections over two seasons as a defensive back.
17. Matai Bell | Campolindo (Moraga)Senior | OT | 6-3, 315 | Army
In an always pass-happy, high octane offensive tackle, the Cougars always need protection. Bell is one of the best they've had in years.
18. Matteo Perez | Marin CatholicSenior | RB | 5-10, 180 | Davis
Rushed for 2,024 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior for perennial NorCal power. Great breakaway speed and a runner you can't arm tackle.
Matteo Perez, Marin Catholic
File photo by Gint Federas
Senior | RB | 5-10, 180 | Undecided
In 11 games, rushed for 1,428 yards, 12 touchdowns, leading the Eagles to the state Division 2-AA title. Taylor caught fire late in the season, rushing for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns in five playoffs wins.
20. Brady Huchingson | Acalanes (Lafayette)Senior | QB | 6-2, 190 | Undecided
Threw for 2,646 yards, 29 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions in 2019. Also rushed for seven TDs. A top baseball product as well.
21. Jake Kern | Clayton Valley CharterSenior | QB | 6-2, 180 | Undecided
On a run-dominated offense, Kearns won several games with his arm en route to the 2019 state title. Great poise. Great leader.
22. Shane Moran | Cardinal NewmanSenior | DB | 5-10, 185 | Undecided
First-team All-Metro San Francisco Chronicle, North Bay League Defensive Player of the Year had 108 tackles in 2019.
23. Mihalis Santorineos | Rancho Cotate (Rohnert Park)Senior | LB | 6-2, 225 | Undecided
Second-team All-Metro SF Chronicle as a junior averaged 16.3 tackles per game for NorCal champs. Great heart and instinct.
2
4. Damonie Perkins | De La SalleJunior | RB-LB | 6-1, 215 | Undecided
Exceptional talent on both sides of the ball, but likely more of an impact on defense. One of several DLS players who could make the list, including No. 1 running back
Mekhi Norfleet, second-year starting linebacker
Kairo Reid and returning starting center
Jon Puckett.
25. Ivan Robledo | St. HelenaJunior | RB/LB | 5-11, 210 | Undecided
Besides leading NCS in rushing in 2019 with 2,132 rushing yards in 11 games and 33 touchdowns, also had 34 tackles and five interceptions from his LB spot.
