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

Class of 2009 Watch

Clark Evans QB 6'4 210 Los Alamitos California

Evans is one of the most impressive sophomore QBs in the nation and should emerge as a high-level national recruit by the time he's a senior. Starting for a program with a strong tradition, as a sophomore he completed 96 of 183 pases (52.5%) for 1,341 yards, 14 TDs and 8 INTs. He also showed nice mobility, carrying the ball 148 times for 634 yards (4.28 ypc) and another 9 TDs. He led his team to a 7-4 record. Evans has ideal size for a QB and a whip for an arm. Coupled with his excellent mobility and athleticism the sky is the limit. He transferred to Los Alamitos after attending Rancho Santa Margarita as a freshman.


Bryce Brown RB 6'2 215 Wichita East Kansas

Brown has the potential to become one of the truly great players to ever emerge out of Kansas. A First Team All-Wichita selection as a freshman, he rushed for 1,472 yards and 12 TDs. He followed that up with an even more impressive sophomore campaign, rushing for 2,039 yards and 26 TDs. He was a consensus First Team All-State selection. Older brother Arthur (Class of 2008) is a star LB and FB and will be the top prospect in the state next year. Bryce is one of the nation's very best sophomores. He's got great size, runs hard with outstanding power, fine speed and an especially impressive ability to cut on a dime, something you don't see very often in a bigger back.


Dion Sims WR/LB 6'5 230 Orchard Lake St. Mary's Michigan

Sims is a dual-sport star who is probably the most talented sophomore prospect in Michigan in BOTH football and baketball. He reminds me a bit, in terms of his skills and versatility, of Class of 2008 Pennsylvania all-everything Terrelle Pryor. He has great size for a WR and could eventually grow into a TE. He can really go up and get the ball, possessing a soft pair of hands in addition to surprising speed and strength. He transferred in the middle of his sophomore season from U-D Jesuit to Orchard Lake St. Mary's and is ineligible to play for St. Mary's until the 2006-2007 academic year. St. Mary's is a perennial power that has produced more in-state talent in recent years than any program in the state. It has also very much benefited through some controversial transfers. Sims will need to decide which sport to focus on for the next level. Should he focus on football he has the potential to be a better prospect than any of the recent St. Mary's blue-chippers.


Micah Cross OL 6'4 270 Nansemond River Virginia

Cross started several games as a freshman for Nansemond River and returned as a sophomore trimmed down and in excellent condition. Was impressive as a freshman going up against current Maryland freshman Brian Whitmore. Nice frame and quick feet. Could emerge as one of the state's top prospects.


J.P. Durnford OL 6'3 300 Little Rock Catholic Arkansas

Sophomore starter at LT as a sophomore for a 7A team (state's largest classification) that went 11-2 in 2005. 4.0 GPA, benches 325 pounds and squats over 450 pounds. His coach calls him a very impressive young lineman who really gets excited about the game. Type of tough, road-grader who turns to fire once he puts on his helmet.


Brian Deshane OL 6'3 244 Tulsa Union Oklahoma

A rare sophomore starter for the powerful Tulsa Union program. Needs to add some weight but has the frame, quick feet, athleticism and toughness to become a blue-chipper down the road.


Sean Avila DL 6'2 240 Anaheim Esperanza California

Avila is a rare sophomore starter for the always talented Esperanza program. Playing out of his NG position, as a sophomore he registered 20 tackles, 19 assists and 3.5 sacks. Is very quick and explosive off the ball. An athletic lineman who will be among California's best prospects once he gets bigger.


Cleven Davis LB 5'10 230 Humboldt Tennessee

Davis is a compact and powerful ILB who is espcecially effective against the run. He had a very productive freshman campaign, registering 86 tackles and being named the Jackson Sun Freshman of the Year. One of the better young prospects in Tennessee.

posted by Jim Stefani @ 2:32 PM