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

Class of 2009 Watch

DeVonte Holloman QB/DB 6'3 210 Charlotte Independence North Carolina

Holloman will be the next great superstar to emerge out of the powerful Independence program, which has produced such talented alumni as Chris Leak. As a sophomore, he earned First Team All-Area honors from the Charlotte Observer as a DB after registering 71 tackles, 18 assists and 3 INTs for state champion Patriots. His future, however, will be at QB as he is expected to take over the reigns from departing all-stater Darryl McFadden in 2007. Could challenge Chris Leak's legacy in high school and college.


Cierre Wood RB/DB/P/PK 6'0 180 4.40 Oxnard Santa Clara California

Wood has emerged as one of the nation's elite RB prospects following a breakout sophomore season. A First Team Ventura County Star All-Area selection and California Sophomore of the Year, Wood carried the ball 117 times for 1,407 yards and 17 TDs, averaging 12 yards per carry. He also caught 16 passes for 595 yards and 7 TDs. On defense, he registered 64 tackles from his DB spot. With his great speed (10.8 100 meters as a frosh), exceptional vision and athleticism he should be one of the most heavily recruited prospects in the nation in the Class of 2009.


Bobby James WR 6'3 205 Hobart Indiana

A Second Team Bloomington Herald-Times Junior All-State selection as a sophomore, James caught 41 passes for 738 yards (18.0) and 10 TDs in 12 games. He has a great frame and could eventually grow into a TE. With his soft hands and exceptional ball skills watch for him to emerge as a big-timer.


Andrew Hebert TE 6'2 185 Teurlings Catholic Louisiana

Hebert has a great frame that still needs to fill out, runs well and has excellent hands. Very productive as a sophomore, earning First Team Class 3A All-State honors after hauling in 58 passes for 930 yards and 8 TDs.


Andre Harris OL 6'4 320 Lovejoy Georgia

Lovejoy has produce some outstanding talent the past few years and Harris is already being called potentially the greatest lineman to ever attend the school. High praise indeed for this huge but surprisingly nifty OL who earned First Team All-Clayton/Henry County honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a sophomore. One of the nation's very best young linemen.


Tyrel Wilson DL/LB 6'3 220 Hampton Virginia

Tyrel is following in his father, James', footsteps as a star for the always talented Crabbers. James went on to star at Tennessee. Tyrel was a rare freshman starter, as a sophomore he earned First Team Newport News Daily Press All-Area honors from his DE position in lesading the Peninsula District's top defense. A tremendous young talent, his coach told Doug Doughty of the Roanoke Times that he “will be the best football player in the country by the time he’s a senior.” And this from the program that produced former USA Today National Player of the Year Ronald Curry. I don't think there is another city in America with two such talented sophomore defensive linemen as Wilson and crosstown rival Dominic Davnport of Hampton Phoebus.


Steve Beauharnais LB 6'3 220 4.74 Saddle Brook New Jersey

A two-time all-area selection by the Herald & News, Beauharnais is a man-child of a 'backer, possessing a great body and excellent speed (4.74 combine forty) and quickness (4.41 shuttle as a frosh!). He puts his skills to great use on the field, registering a state-leading 144 tackles as a freshman and adding another 104 as a sophomore despite missing a couple of games with a hamstring injury. Also plays QB and RB, passing for 581 yards and 7 TDs and rushing for 1,301 yards and another 7 scores as a sophomore. Already being actively recruited by the eastern powers.


Craig Bills DB 6'1 180 Provo Timpview Utah

A First Team Salt Lake Deseret News Class 4A All-State selection as a sophomore after registering 84 tackles, 8 INTs and 10 pass deflections. One older brother, Kevin, was also named First Team All-State this past season and is one of the top juniors in the state (DE, 6-3, 215). Another older brother, K.C., is a DB at BYU. Craig could wind up being the best of the bunch.

posted by Jim Stefani @ 3:25 PM