A Step Ahead: Jim Stefani's Underclassmen Football Recruiting Blog

Class of 2009 Watch

Thomas Gordan QB/ATH 5'11 180 Detroit Cass Tech Michigan

Gordon is the only sophomore playing for the always talented Cass Tech team and is their starting QB. He has led the team to the Detroit Public School League title, showing off great athleticism, quickness and surprising passing ability. More of an athlete than a QB, look for him to make a splash in college as either a DB or WR. One of Michigan's best young prospects.


Eddie Lacey RB 6'2 210 Geismar Dutchtown Louisiana

Lacey is one of two outstanding young sophomore running backs for Dutchtown this year. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards and averages over 7 yards per carry. Has excellent size and benches over 300 pounds. He has combined with his classmate Kelvin York for over 28 TDs this year. They are virtually identical as running backs, showing a surprising combination of power, explosiveness and surprising speed running out of a wing-T offense. Two of the very best young prospects in Lousiana.


Kelvin York RB 6'1 205 Geismar Dutchtown Louisiana

Kelvin is one of two outstanding young sophomore running backs for Dutchtown this year. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards and averages over 7 yards per carry. Has excellent size and benches over 300 pounds. He has combined with his classmate Eddie Lacey for over 28 TDs this year. They are virtually identical as running backs, showing a surprising combination of power, explosiveness and surprising speed running out of a wing-T offense. Two of the very best young prospects in Lousiana.


Corey Brown WR 6'2 175 Monroeville Gateway Pennsylvania

Brown is one of several very talented underclassmen for the powerful Gateway program. From a school that has produced the likes of Justin King (Penn State) and Jon Ditto, Brown has the potential to join them as a future big-time college prospect. He is a tall and smooth WR who has fine speed and an exceptional pair of hands. Should emerge as one of theh nation's elite receivers.


Reid Fragel TE/DL 6'7 230 Grosse Pointe South Michigan

South isn't known for churning out D-1 talent, but that should change over the next couple of years with Reid Fragel and the state's leading receiver, junior James Saros, on their way to becoming blue-chip recruits. Being my hometown, I've had a chance to see Reid play and he has a great frame and surprising athleticism for such a tall player. He has good bloodlines, as his older brother Mark was a lineman with Miami (Ohio) and his dad played at Michigan State and Northern Michigan. He's a superior prospect to his brother. Has been to several summer camps and looked good at the Michigan and Northwestern camps. Also plays DE. Outstanding student.


Justis Oliver DL/OL 6'5 240 Hackensack New Jersey

Justis Oliver is an outstanding DE prospect who is already drawing serious D-1 attention. He reminds the Hackensack coaching staff of former All-State DE Jermaine Dias. He has great size and outstanding athleticism and quickness for a big sophomore. He should emerge as one of the nation's top defensive linemen in a couple of years.


Isaac Okoye LB/DL 6'4 205 Centennial Eaglecrest Colorado

Okoye is a budding star as a sophomore DE for Eaglecrest. He has a great frame that has a lot of room to fill out and is very, very quick off the edge. Will probably fill into being a college DE down the road. A potential difference-maker and definitely one of the top young prospects in the Rocky Mountain region.


Nick Zachery DB/QB/PK/P 6'2 180 Sheridan Indiana

Zachery is one of the top prospects in Indiana. He really flourished as a freshman starter at QB and DB for the state Class 1A (smallest division) champions. He did it all as a freshman, posting 1,825 rushing yards on 229 carries and 419 passing yards. Through 13 games on defense he had 50 solo tackles, 42 tackle assists, 8 interceptions and 7 pass breakups. He also punted for a 41.4 average and averaged 44.1 for 62 kickoffs, with 8 touchbacks. Also an outstanding return man, he oes it all. He was named a First Team Underclass Class 1A All-State selection. I like him best as a college safety prospect due to his outstanding athleticism, size and speed. Has great football intangibles.

posted by Jim Stefani @ 3:35 AM