No. 11 Serra (Gardena, Calif.) - Team preview / Preseason photo gallery
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Strengths: Serra produces blue-chip talent at a stunning rate. The alma mater of Robert Woods and Marqise Lee is similarly loaded, returning numerous key players from a 2012 squad that looked like it could have hung with any CIF Bowl Game participant last December.
Jalen Greene returns behind center. Sensational two-way star
Adoree' Jackson will once again be a key offensive weapon. The defensive line is loaded as well. Junior
Rasheem Green is a 6-foot-5, 270-pound manchild at defensive tackle. He's the No. 34 recruit in the Class of 2015 according to 247Sports. He's joined by
Olajuwon Tucker and
Sam Akoteau. The linebacking unit will be among the most talented in the country, with
John Houston and
Dwight Williams. Jackson also serves as the team's top defensive back.
Question marks: Serra might've found itself even higher in the rankings if not for the unfortunate news that star running back
Malik Roberson, also a track star, tore his ACL last week. There were rumors that former Bishop Gorman running back Nathan Starks might enroll at the school, but head coach Scott Altenberg said that was completely false.
Josh Thomas is his likely replacement. He rushed for 75 yards last year. Jackson may see time in the backfield as well. There is still a multitude of offensive weapons, including notable sophomore
Brandon Burton, but Roberson's replacement is unclear. There is still some who think that Serra, which won the Division II Bowl Game, might be a notch or two below the larger elite teams in the area. That position is becoming increasingly difficult to defend.
Outlook: Losing Roberson hurts, but Serra is never bereft of skill players. Amazingly, the team's receiving corps, defensive backs, linebackers and defensive line could all have the potential to rank among the best in the country. This team is a bona fide national title contender.
