Next year’s local recruits could be a special class …

With Signing Day now in the rear view mirror, it’s time for area football fans to turn their attention to next year’s class of local high school football recruits. And if early returns are any indicator, the local class of 2015 it could be just as lucrative as ’14.

Arguably the area’s biggest hotbed of recruiting activity will be at Muir where the Mustangs have two outstanding receiver/defensive back prospects in Taeon Mason and DeSean Holmes. Mason just recently gave an early verbal commitment to USC, but if recent history tells us anything, early commits are about as valuable as pet rocks.

Holmes, who transferred to Muir from Alemany this offseason, has an ever-growing list of suitors that include UCLA, USC, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Washington.

Monrovia has been no stranger to hot recruits and next year should be no different. The Wildcats are top-heavy with receivers who also play defensive back. Leading the way is Jordan Nathan, who turned a lot of heads recently at the US Army All-American combine in Texas where he ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash time with a clocking of 4.29 seconds.

Other Wildcats receiver/defensive backs who figure to draw interest are Khalil Bradely, James Jackson and Octavius Spencer.

The Diamond Bar duo of receiver/defensive backs Kanya Bell and Antonio “Noodles” Hull should also see their fair share of interest. Bell is recovering from a knee injury that cut short his junior season, but does have offers USC, UCLA, Washington, Arizona St., Nebraska and Boise St., to name a few.

Hull played in just one game his junior season and plans to use the offseason passing circuit and 7-on-7 competitions to bolster his stock. He will also visit several college camps this spring.

La Mirada had a stellar signing class this winter and may have another waiting in the wings. Leading the way is lineman Anthony Cerillo, who already has an offer from Colorado. Fellow lineman Nikko Nau figures to get offers soon, as does new transfer Tony Brown, a receiver who just came in from Servite.

Diamond Ranch has been sending players to the next level consistently under head coach Roddy Layton. Next year’s group should include defensive back Daniel Garcia, receiver/defensive back John Perkins, linebacker Chris Kirchgraber and receiver Jordan Frisby.

Glendora offensive lineman Ben Northup has next-level size, at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds and should see plenty of attention from recruiters because of it.