The 2010 Arizona prep football season is being hailed as the year of the lineman. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) could roll out the best offensive line the state has ever seen, and many of the state’s top recruits will line up in the trenches.
Here’s a scouting report on the top 10 recruits in the Grand Canyon State;
Christian Westerman, Hamilton
Photo by Mitchell B. Reibel
Westerman is physical, strong and aggressive. He has good flexibility in a three-point stance and comes off the ball with good initial quickness and explosion. He has the size and strength to maul opponents or knock them back, but he’s also a terrific athlete with technical skills. He’s sound in pass protection and has good footwork. He is the anchor of a Huskies line that has the school eyeing its sixth 5A or 5A-I state championship since 2003.
2. Cyrus Hobbi, Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), OL, 6-3, 285 (undecided): Hobbi is tough and explosive with the strength to dominate. He plays out of a two-point stance but is still an effective run blocker with good pad level, footwork and balance. He runs well and is a good second-level blocker. He has the ability to adjust in space and finishes well. Saguaro slipped last season after three straight 4A-I state championships, but Hobbi has them eyeing a return to dominance.
3. Mo Latu, Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.), DT/C, 6-1, 300 (undecided): Latu is low to the ground and beefy, allowing him to muck up running games and demand double teams. He had 25 tackles last season for upstart Perry, which stunned everyone by qualifying for the 5A-II state playoffs in its first season at the varsity level. Latu is also effective at center.
4. Brett Hundley, Chandler (Ariz.), QB, 6-4, 206 (undecided): Hundley is a dual-threat QB out of the Wolves’ spread offense with size, strength and a well-defined frame. He can make defenders miss in the open field, or run them over. He can make all the throws from the pocket or on the run. He can even throw to the opposite sideline when his feet are set. Hundley’s only problem is that he plays in a region with Hamilton and Brophy College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.). It would be entertaining to watch him on the big stage at the state championship.
5. Ka'Deem Carey, Canyon del Oro (Tucson, Ariz.), RB, 5-9, 184 (Arizona): Carey is an explosive runner with incredible burst at the line and great elusiveness in the open field. He’s smallish, but is well-built with excellent speed and quickness. He racked up 2,738 yards and 43 TDs last season. As long as he’s playing, the Dorados believe they can repeat as 4A-I state champs.
6. Andre Yruretagoyena, Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.), OT, 6-5, 260 (undecided): Yruretagoyena is a great run blocker in space against linebackers and defensive backs. He has good flexibility. He’ll have to bulk up and improve his explosion coming off the ball, but he is the defending 5A-II champs’ offensive anchor.
7. Todd Peat Jr., Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.), DT, 6-3, 295 (undecided): Peat is a pain in the neck to play against. He has a non-stop motor, he’s thick and he seems to relish the violent nature of the game. It will be interesting to see how he responds to a change in coaching staff at Corona for his senior season. Longtime Aztecs coach Gary Venturo, once a lineman for Arizona State, resigned this offseason.
8. Tyler Johnstone, Hamilton, OT, 6-5, 231 (undecided): Johnstone is athletic, flexible, well-balanced and quick off the ball. He teams with Westerman to give the Huskies the best pair of tackles in the state, but he’ll have to add weight at the college level.
9. Ryan Nowicki, Cactus (Glendale, Ariz.), OT, 6-5, 275 (undecided): Nowicki is a competent run blocker who scouts say has an explosive finish when trap blocking. He has the size and athleticism for the offensive tackle position in college. From a two- and three-point, his pad level is a little high coming off the ball, but it improves when he drive blocks.
10. Kelvin Fisher Jr., Higley (Gilbert, Ariz.), RB, 5-11, 180 (undecided): Fisher is a good all-around athlete who has flown under the radar for most BCS schools. He is a bit on the skinny side but he shows toughness. He was the lone bright spot in a dismal Knights season, but missed three games due to injuries.
Others to watch: RB: D.J. Hubbard, La Joya Community (Avondale, Ariz.); Vegas Johnson, Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.); Matt Jones, Horizon (Scottsdale, Ariz.). WR: Gary Chambers, Ironwood (Glendale, Ariz.); Anas Hasic, North Canyon (Phoenix, Ariz.). TE: Justin Newman, Mountain View (Mesa, Ariz.); Brendan Pineda, Tolleson (Ariz.); R.J. Rickert, Mesquite (Gilbert, Ariz.); Tyler Bergsten, Greenway (Phoenix, Ariz.). OL: Justin Addie, Skyline (Mesa, Ariz.); Vivii Teofilo, Moon Valley (Phoenix, Ariz.). DL: Sam Kamp, Mountain View; Reggie Gilbert, Fairfax (Laveen, Ariz.); Aulelio Olomua, Red Mesa (Teec Nos Pos, Ariz.); J.R. Plote, Mountain Pointe (Phoenix, Ariz.); Peter Igras, Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale, Ariz.); Shaq Jenkins, Hamilton. LB: Brock Haman, Saguaro; Jebron Harrington, Centennial; Israel Marshall, Mountain Pointe; Sam Papa, Desert Ridge (Mesa, Ariz.); Jesse Forte, La Joya Community; Zack Williams, Basha (Chandler, Ariz.). DB: Jordan Morgan, Chandler; Cedric Parker, Hamilton; John Lindemann, Saguaro; Danell Miles, Desert Edge (Goodyear, Ariz.). Athletes: Gary Ross, Centennial; Danny Clark, Saguaro.
