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

Class of 2008: Some Elite Wide Receivers (Part IV)

Marcus Sales WR/DB 6'2 185 4.50 Syracuse Christian Brothers Academy New York

Sales is the top WR in New York and among the nations best……As a junior he caught 33 passes from All-American senior Mike Paulus for over 600 yards and 7 TDs despite missing two games. He was named First Team All-Conference at WR and Second Team at CB…….As a sophomore he caught 25 passes for 625 yards and 9 TDs………..Sales is a smooth runner with nice size, fine speed and excellent ball skills……Has picked up the game quickly as his sophomore season was his first year playing the game……Stars in basketball as well, averaging over 20 points per game…….Solid “B” student……As of early February he had offers from Miami, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Virginia.


Darryl Stonum WR 6'2 185 4.39 Sugarland Fort Bend Dulles Texas

Stonum is one of the top prospects in Texas and among the top receivers in the nation…….Earned First Tam District 23-5A honors as a junior after catching 47 passes for 1,053 yards and 14 TDs despite missing almost two games with an ankle sprain……..His coach says that he is the most talented receiver he has seen, and he’s been coaching for 30 years. He has nice size, great athleticism, blazing speed and good hands…….He can catch the long ball but is also very dangerous in the short routes and picking up huge yards after the catch……Two Class of 2007 teammates, Brandon Herron and Troy Woolfolk, signed with Michigan, and Stonum is considered to be a superior prospect to both..…….Runs track…….As of late January he had offers from Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Michigan.


Wes Kemp WR/DB 6'3 223 4.60 St. Louis DeSmet Missouri

Kemp is the top receiver in Missouri and among the better receivers in the nation. He has been an impressive performer for a solid DeSmet program since his freshman season…………As a junior he was a First Team Class 6A All-State selection and St. Louis Post-Dispatch Third Team All-Metro honoree after catching 39 passes for 769 yards and 7 TDs………As a sophomore he was a Second Team All-Metro St. Louis selection and Second Team Class 6A All-State aftr leading his team to the 6A state title by hauling in a team-leading 46 balls for 1,062 yards (23.09 avg.) and 7 TDs…………A long-strider with good height who can really go up (34-inch vertical at a combine) and catch the ball. Has the size and strength (18 bench reps as a soph) to overpower overmatched DBs. Not as effective in gaining yardage after the catch. Lacks jets (4.70 soph combine forty, but was injured) and great quickness (4.62 shuttle) but should make a very fine possession receiver in college……… As of mid-January he had offers from such programs as Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Mississippi and Michigan State.


Laron Byrd WR/DB 6'4 210 4.40 Boutte Hahnville Louisiana

It’s a deep year for wide receivers both nationally and in Louisiana, and Byrd ranks among the bets…….Has two things you can’t teach-size and speed……Will need to watch his grades……Also starts at CB…..Very athletic. He also stars in basketball……..Really exploded onto the scene as a sophomore……Has explosive leaping ability and does a great job of positioning himself to make the catch. Has the strength to stave off smaller defenders and the speed to run by most of them……Being heavily pursued by most of the SEC.


John Goodman WR/QB/ATH 6'4 185 4.60 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger Indiana

Goodman is among the top receivers in the Midwest and top overall prospects in Indiana……….As a junior he was named to the Bloomington Herald Top 33 All-State team after catching 36 passes for 719 yards (19.9 avg.) and 9 TDs, carried 22 times for 141 yards (6.4), returned 4 kickoffs for 251 yards (62.7) and 2 TDs and returned 13 punts for 215 yards (16.5) and 2 TDs…….As a sophomore he was an Honorable Mention Class 4A All-State selection. He caught 24 passes for 660 yards (27.5 avg.) and 12 TDs and had 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception. Rushed for 3 TDs and passed for 1 TD. Returned 11 kick-offs for a 22.7 average and 1 TD. Blocked 2 field goals and returned 1 for a TD. He blocked 1 punt.…….He’s a tall and rangy WR who can really go up and catch the ball and shows surprising speed and quickness. Capable of making circus catches and not afraid to go across the middle. He has outstanding football instincts. Needs to fill out a bit.……Was very impressive at the 2006 U.S. army Combine……Bowling Green, Iowa, Michigan and Purdue were among his mid-February offers.

posted by Jim Stefani @ 4:42 PM