It has been two months since the 2009 football season started, and there is reason to believe that this year could be better than the last. It appears that every league in the D.C. area is up for the taking — yes, even the WCAC — as teams prepare for the final stretch run. 
Arie-manuel Kouandjio, DeMatha
File photo by Richard Rector
In addition to the football games played on the field, the recruiting world has really begun to take shape. Marcus Coker (Iowa) and Troy Gloster (West Virginia) have made their decisions, and some players are still holding their intentions close to the vest while others are finally getting the recognition they ultimately deserve.
The following 10 players have been making the headlines since early August:
10. Kevin McReynolds, Junior, OL/DL, St. John's (6-2, 282)
When he isn't destroying people on the wrestling mat, McReynolds is creating havoc on the football field. The massive junior already holds offers from Kansas State, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina and UTEP. The junior from St. John's benches close to 400 pounds, and he has been great this year for the Cadets. Look for offers to pour in over the next year.
9. Jeremiah Attaochu, Senior, LB, Carroll (6-3, 223, 4.61)
This do-it-all linebacker from Carroll has narrowed his list to five specific schools, which include Maryland, Duke, Virginia, Illinois and Syracuse, although anything is possible with Signing Day not being for a couple months. Carroll has struggled on the field, but Attaochu has played well, amassing over 10 sacks so far and leading his team in tackles.
8. Avery Williams, Senior, Athlete, Coolidge (6-0, 169, 4.4)
This kid is lights-out fast. Offers include Kansas, Michigan State, Utah and West Virginia. Any team that needs a little speed out of the backfield (Washington Redskins?), Williams should be your man.
7. Charles Brown, Senior, RB/WR/DB, St. John's (5-10, 198, 4.5)
Back in August, before Brown began his tremendous senior season we are currently witnessing, Brown talked about Kansas State, New Mexico and Akron as being in his top three. In addition to those three schools, Brown is getting interest from Kent State, Northeastern and South Carolina State. The talented athlete from St. John's is big-time DI material.
6. Kevin Hogan, Junior, QB, Gonzaga (6-4, 200)
If there were a way to test arm strength when you're standing in the pocket and a 300-pound lineman is barreling down on you, odds are that Hogan would pass with flying colors. The junior quarterback has been tremendous this season, and he said the following about schools already recruiting him:
"Coach Powlus from Notre Dame was in town last week. Coach Day from Boston College came to practice. Virginia has been by the school, as has Maryland. I've also been receiving interest from Duke, Michigan State, UCLA, Rutgers and Richmond. Rutgers was actually at my game on Friday."
5. Shane Johnson, Senior, OL, DeMatha (6-5, 301)
You know you have a bright football future when you narrow your list to five schools and they are (in no particular order) Cal, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Virginia and Wake Forest.
4. Brandon Coleman, Senior, WR, McNamara (6-6, 200, 4.5)
Coleman listed a top five in order recently, stating that Rutgers, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Virginia and Syracuse all made his most recent cuts. Rutgers appears to be the favorite for this DI-caliber receiver, but expect Coleman's decision to come after the season.
3. Louis Young, Senior, WR/DB, Good Counsel (6-0, 185, 4.4)
Although he originally gave a verbal commitment to Stanford, Young changed his mind and plans to visit Boston College, Maryland, Virginia Tech and maybe Virginia after the season. With Young, it seems that he wants a big offer from a school like Florida, but we'll have to wait and see if he'll end up playing next to his former teammate Jelani Jenkins.
2. Cyrus Kouandjio, Junior, OL, DeMatha (6-7, 322)
There were talks about this kid from DeMatha who was a massive offensive lineman not named Arie. It was his younger brother Cyrus. The 6-foot-7 junior already holds offers from Boston College, Cal, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Wake Forest and West Virginia, to name a few. I walked by Cyrus at the St. John's game and thought I was looking at Chris Samuels circa 1999. There is a reason DeMatha is undefeated.
1. Arie Kouandjio, Senior, OL, DeMatha (6-6, 314)
Arie Kouandjio looks like some kind of Andre Carter/Jake Long hybrid. It's just not fair to opposing defenses. It's almost like he doesn't have an ounce of fat on him, which is probably why he is deciding between eight schools right now. They are, in no particular order, Alabama, Cal, Maryland, Miami, New Mexico, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Wake Forest. If his brother Cyrus isn't the next Chris Samuels, Arie is.
