Notes from our Scouting Guru
The Scouting Guru has been all over the San Gabriel Valley and beyond, and like always, he's offered to share his thoughts, free of charge. Don't hate, enjoy it for what it's worth, which is one man's opinion on the talent in the San Gabriel Valley.
Scouting Guru's midseason state of the address: Time simply doesn't allow us to do some of the things that what we want to do. Each week with are meeting with Pac-10 teams, on the phone with other west coast schools, picking up film and sending film out to the colleges. It's a lot of work, but we love it because it allows us to watching a lot of film too. So, here are some observations as we close in on the first half of the season. To continue reading all of it, click thread
• There are clearly four teams in the area this year and then there is the rest of the valley. These teams are Bishop Amat, Charter Oak, South Hills and West Covina. And before everyone kills me and says that West Covina shouldn't be on this list, hear me out. I just think that West Covina is a better team than the one that showed up at Kiefer several weeks ago. As one area coach has reinforced to me, "When the wheels fall off the wagon, there's not a whole a lot you can do." And that is what happened to West Covina when they played Bishop Amat. You almost want to throw the film away from the game. But, the way that they rebounded and defeated a quality Glendora team showed me that they're going to be a force late in the year. And for all of you San Dimas fans, your team is a close fifth, it all hinges on the Saints' performance Friday against Bonita. Let's take a quick look at these four teams.
• Bishop Amat has the best skills players in the area. When I ask one HC that has played Amat this year who there best player on the field was, he answered, "Oh, that's easy, it's (Brent) Seals. That kid has a motor that doesn't stop. He's better than Price and everybody else on the defensive side of the ball." Although we think that Price is pretty darn good, the fact of the matter is Seals has made some serious in roads this year. We think that Seals would make a great Mountain West Conference player. BA has the best secondary in the area and has a quarterback that does enough to win. Now, we would like to see more production of the defensive front four. Having said that we love Jesse Prieto. One D-1AA college is looking at Prieto as a running back, that is how versatile he is. If you're looking for a competitive game against Diamond Ranch, you'll have a tough time convincing me. BA is should win this game in a runaway. Now, if your asking me if BA are just as good as Crespi, Notre Dame or Loyola, I can't say that right now. Those teams are awfully good.
• The more I see the Charter Oak game against Rancho Cucamonga, the more I think CO's going to be playing in December....against South Hills. It's going to happen fans, you know and I know it. Let's face it; these are the two most complete teams in the Southeast Division with the least amount of questions. I was very harsh on Chris Allen last year. I just didn't see the consistency in the kid off his junior tape. Well, his senior tape is a lot better. Some say that he reminds people of Jamarcus Russell, I'll answer that by saying Russell hasn't lit up the NFL and we all know what Lane Kiffin thought of Russell. (BTW, his voice of dissent wasn't the only one voiced. NFL Network's NFL Draft guru Mike Mayock was killed by everyone when he said that Russell was the most overrated QB in the 2007 NFL Draft. Well, I guess Mayock is getting the last laugh). I like Allen and feel that his might be a late season pick-up for some team. Problem is there are not many schools that are looking to take a second quarterback on the west coast. On a national scale, this is a very deep year for quarterbacks. I love the CO defensive front four. They play very well. And the more I see of free safety AJ Powell, the more I love him. He just loves to hit people. He put two players to sleep in the RC game. He's making a name for himself as the best defensive back in the SGV. Adam Muema is performing just fine for Charger fans, Dennis Rufus is going to be better than Will Harris (you heard it here first)...yeah, I really can see Muir or Arcadia beating these guys...right... and the Dow is going back to 10,000 at the end of the week. It's not going to happen.
• One thing that you have to keep in mind with South Hills, they ALWAYS start a bit slow offensively, but when the playoffs arrive, they are ALWAYS hitting on all cylinders. Let's look at the past four year, 2004 (2-3 with losses to Esperanza, Claremont and Rancho Cucamonga, CIF Finalists) 2005 (3-2 with losses to Esperanza and Rancho Cucamonga, CIF champs) 2006 (2-4 with losses to Los Altos, La Habra, Trabuco Hills and Rancho Cucamonga by an average margin of 6 points, CIF quarterfinalists), 2007 (3-2 with losses to Trabuco Hills and La Habra, CIF Semifinalists). South Hills always lives by the motto of "It's not how you start, it's how you finish." There is no team that finishes more consistently that Bogan's Boys on Barranca. Just like with CO, I love the defensive front four, but I love the LB's too. Offensively, if Umodu and Vaughns play like they did Friday night against Northview, I don't see a lot teams scoring a lot of points. Deen is a stud at QB will be offered before the season ends and for all the talk of Miles Bevel as a free safety, I think he's just as good a running back. He runs inside zone as well as anyone in the area. Like I said, my money is on a Charter Oak vs. South Hills final. The only two teams that beat these teams on the way to the finals are themselves. My advice to these teams is simple; Don't get caught up in all the hype and reading your own headlines. The last thing you need to do is going on blogs such as these. Stay focused and keep your eye on the prize.
• If Ricky Johnson can run the ball like he has the last couple of weeks for West Covina, they'll be the third area team in the semifinals. (Yeah, didn't CIF want to get away from having the same teams in the CIF every year? Great job Rob Wigod! With the change in divisions all you are doing getting the same teams at your finals luncheon in Long Beach every year). I like the offensive line of the Bulldogs, but if they are to find themselves into the finals, they need to get more production in the passing game. It's what made George Munoz's performance in 2004 all the more impressive. He understood that he had to manage the game and get the ball into the hands of Walter Thurmond. West Covina is not there yet, but they are getting there. One last thing, coach Mike Maggoire doesn't get the credit for the job that he does. He's as a good a coach as there is in the valley.
• I would be shocked if San Dimas doesn't win the Valle Vista League. Having seen all the teams in the league on tape or in person, San Dimas should not only win their league going away, but they should make a real nice run in the playoffs. Coach Zernikow better start getting some Paraclete film, that is the team he'll have to beat...and after watching Paraclete on film against Serrano, they're pretty darn good. And while I were giving praise out here, Coach Z is another coach that deserves a lot of kudos. I happened to agree with one west coast D-1 Recruiting Coordinator who told me recently, "Those kids play their hearts out of that guy." I couldn't agree more.
• I was also very harsh on Glendora's quarterback Drew Kaluzny. I just thought his junior tape was just OK. But, his senior tape is getting better and better. He understands the spread offense philosophy and is capable of making all the throws. His stock is rising. At the same time, I really like Eric Meraz. He shows up well on film and will getting some looks during the second half of the football season. Chad Young is another player the colleges are keeping an eye on...at fullback! I make Glendora the early favorites to win the Sierra League...going away!
• Oh, and I make Charter Oak the overwhelming favorites to win the Miramonte League. Don't fall asleep on Bonita though...they're pretty darn good!
• BTW, South Hills narrowly defeats West Covina to win the San Antonio League.
• Here are my top-5 juniors for the SGV and we're going to have a little fun with these guys by giving them a nickname. Gotta have some fun once in a while.
1) Ify (Mr. Excitement) Umodu (Ath, So. Hills) - Ask Northview's Farmer how good Umodu is!
2) Adam (Mr. Breakaway) Muema (RB, Ch. Oak) -Leads the race as the best RB in the area
3) A.J. (The Hammer) Powell (FS, Ch. Oak) - Yes folks, his hits are that good!
4) Darian (The Pocket Dynamo) Johnson (CB, B Amat) - He can play at the D-1 level despite his size (i.e Chapaelle Brown, LA)
5) Ricky (Mr. Superman) Johnson (RB, West Covina) - Best player at WC since Thurmond when he wants to be.
• Some people have accused me of drinking too much of the IE Kool-Aid lately (including one area assistant coach...and he knows who he is). Well, when I see that teams like Chaparrel defeating Santa Margarita, Vista Murrieta laying big numbers on legit teams like Los Osos, Corona Centennial defeating teams like Mater Dei, I have only one thing to say..."Can I have another IE Kool-Aid please?"
• And with local teams with openings on their schedule next year, I want to see someone schedule a team deep in the heart of the IE. No, Los Osos and Upland don't count! They got dismissed out of the Inland Division this year. Let's see if someone in our area will schedule a game against the likes of Rancho Verde, Redlands East Valley and others in the Inland Division. At least South Hills scrimmages Corona Centennial...BTW, Corona Centennial will be making an appearance next season in the SGV as they scrimmage South Hills at Covina District Field. Gotta love Bogan!
• I love it when players play at high level of emotion. But when players talk throughout the game and are not focused of their own performance, it becomes very annoying. If I can only give Northview's Anthony Farmer one piece of advice, it's this...you're a very good football player, there is no need to smack talk and complain to the officials throughout the game. Let your game speak for itself. You'll be surprised how much better you can be when you concentrate on your play.
• Attention Western Christian Fans: I will make it out to one of your home games this year. I hear you have quite a team.
• Attention FSN's John Jackson: Welcome home!
• The over/under on the time that the Diamond Ranch vs. Bishop Amat will finish: 11:15 P.M.
• One last note. This is a great night for football in the SGV. First you have Bishop Amat vs. Diamond Ranch on FSN Prime Ticket (this game would have been even better if it had been played on a Thursday night. Just ask South Hills and West Covina how much exposure they got off the game last year when it was played on a Thursday night.) Then you have Bonita vs. San Dimas...another great game, Charter Oak vs. Etiwanda (CO taking on another IE team with tons of team speed) and South Hills travels down I-10 to take on Rosemead (Rosemead fans are still talking about that 2001 victory). The whole point here is simple, get in the car and get to a game. It should be a fun night of football whereever you go!
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Ili has been injured and didn't play in the D Bar game, thats why he was nowhere to be found, and your right, Ricky and the O-Line are carrying the load, if Ili was in that game alongside Ricky
you would have been impressed by both backs.
Dan is that why Ricky Johnson did all the damage vs Diamond Bar?...Ili was nowhere to be found, Ricky carries the load for that team...it is Ricky that will be the sought after one from the colleges.
Guru..what happened to the "convincing...and teh runaway" win by Amat?
Get out more.
Diamond Ranch is for real.
You might be a little too South Hills -centric.
Diamond Ranch has at least 4 players that will get D! scholarships. How many teams can say that?
Love your comments would love to hear a school by school break down of possible offers for players. That would be pretty informative and help bloggers key in on the next level guys in the area.
Joe Amat, Rocket Rob,
Not shooting the messenger
or locking anyone in for D1 scholarship, I'm well aware of how hard D1 scholies are to come by, all I'm saying is don't under estimate the kid, he's big, fast, & only a junior, at West Co he will get better conditioning than he did at his old school, he has had a notable increase in 40 speed since he arrived at WC. I don't care who did or didn't make it to the next level from high school, each kid is different, and if the hunger and the desire is there, it can happen.
Scouting Guru,
If your looking for a competitive game against DR, you'll have to convince me.... BA should win the game big in a runaway...... Sure would like a response to these two comments that you made.
whether ya like em or not look at the conversations he inspires......
to the parents i know its hard to read anything not positive on our kids but I do not think many recruiters read this stuff.......
and as long as the facts are correct it does get them publicity.....
i have seen mr. allen a few times now and all i see is him making big play after big play in a run happy offense. he is a winner and i challenge anyone to go measure that in a statistic. to his coach PASS MORE WHEN YOU HAVE A PLAYER LIKE HIM. makes you wonder what CO will do with their jr 6'5" and soph 6'4" QB's next year. I dont think they went there to run......
jesse ili is good and loves to compete. how did he wind up at west covina from nogales last year????
My Friend,
You better... you're getting yourself in trouble!
...but... definite upgrade!
Joe that's a definate UPGRADE! Did you see Ms. Holly in "ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY" ? That woman scared me. She was sooooooo cold blooded when she thought her "limeligt" was over.
Besides Jenny has an incredible....ummmm sense of humor...and killer....ummmm smile....and ....hey she let's Jim wear her swim suit. Now come one ,,,not every woman would let you do that....IF you're so inclined.
Joe...I think I'm going to stop writing.
Exactly!
... and if you can't get Lauren Holly in the movie... you can always get Jenny McCarthy in real life!
http://www.moviesoundscentral.com/sounds/dumb_and_dumber/dumb42b.wav
Joe Amat...so there is a chance????
Right???
There are over 1,000,000 HS football players and about 20,000 Division 1 scholarships available. So, unfortunately Rob is trying to bring light the stark reality that opportunities are few and far between to reacH Division 1. I don't think he's making a particular comment about any one particular kid.
Fortunately there are Division 2/NAIA programs that offer a smaller number of scholarships and Division 3/non-scholarship schools that provide opportunities to still play. Amat has been fortunate to be able to prepare kids to play at the top levels - but also players have gone on to play at Iona, St Marys, Central Oklahoma, New Mexico Highlands, Redlands, La Verne, Whittier and more. So there are other chances out there.
But to anoint a kid as a lock to be D1 athlete is quite a stretch. Think of how many we see in the SGV in the spring that sign that Letter of Intent. Many years you can count those on one hand! So if whatever player we're talking about isn't in the TOP FIVE in the SGV... the chances are slim.
No we've had an "Ili" of our own (one "L"). Willhans Ili played both sides of the ball too... he was a Captain... led the team to an Angelus League Title... CIF Championship... Reebok Bowl Championship... Only team to go 15-0 until last year when CIF added the "State Championship" games.... CIF PLAYER OF THE YEAR!
Guess what? No Division 1! And he was DIVISION ONE PLAYER OF THE YEAR!!!! Fortunately he went to New Mexico Highlands , got his degree and is getting his teaching credential and will be a very good coach for years.
So don't shoot Rob (or me) for being just the messenger of some very real truths. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Prepare for the alternative.
Rob has no idea what it takes to make it to the next level that's why he just talks about it here on the blogs all day, judging without knowing. Ili plays on both sides of the ball. Please keep his name out of your mouth in the future.
Dan,
I just saying that most do not move on to the next level of playing college ball even tho they were studs in HS. If this kid Ili is a scholar student then done deal he is going to college which is the most important thing. Football is a recreation but a degree last a lifetime. Go luck to the Ili kid I just do not think he is cut out for the college game, I have seen better and they had the grades as well.
JBO:
No I was never cut by Big Lou But did have a son who started for 4 years because Big Lou liked him, and I'm smart enough to know there were other players standing on the side lines who deserved to play but never got the chance, if you think there is no favortism you must think Big Lou will also have all the scouts looking at you? Why don't you ask the past 4 year players how many scouts came out
Rocket Rob
Ili had a decent game vs Amat,He broke the long run, & had some other nice runs through the game until he twisted his ankle
making a tackle, He also had a couple nice blocks, its not like they shut him down, I don't think he had a lot of touches in that game, & besides, Amat was stacking the box against us. Ili is big & moves well for his size, don't underestimate this kids future, besides being a great player he is a scholar athlete.
Anderson and McClanahan will not play fotball after high school. They will both be highly sought out in baseball. Anderson has the potential to be a 5 tool player when he starightens out his arm issues. Don't forget he hit a grand slam against St. Paul. McClanahan is one of the best catchers in the So Cal area. Last time I saw him swing it he took it out of ELAC and helped Amat to the finals.
That is a decent top 5
What about Sophomores
Anderson from Amat - Has all the potential to break records. No back is better than in him in the Valley for that Year.
Ball from Rowland - Im Assuming this is Todd Ball's lil brotha.
Top Juniors
Adam Muema from Charter Oak - Yes, a running back that can break away. COuld be one of the best of the Oak family.
Darian Johnson from Amat - A corner with great instincts. Fundamentally sound and very agressive. Very physical for his size.
Leonard Rhodes from Walnut - A Running Back and plays defense the best kept secret in the Valley.
Ify Umodu from South Hills - Plays both sides of the ball and has talent. Could be great.
Ricky Johnson from West Covina - Can you say quick? A running back that can only get better. His break out game against glendora says a lot.
I do know how to gauge talent to the next level and besides Albert Cid and Maybe R. Johnson there is nothing coming out of WC as far as Next level college players. Good HS Players. McD of Covina a couple of years back is a prime example of the Good HS player category. This Kid was nails and all world in HS but the ride stopped there. There are lots out there that are on that level with no college offers after HS. Fun to watch the HS game because most of these geat HS players can really bring it and it makes a great event for Fridays. They never strap it up after that last senior game. Sad but true.
oh yeah rocket rob, i lied, one more thing, Ili is one and their are 11 on a team, so don't feel let down about the amat game it was one of many, i wonder what your expectation level is in your own life
Rocket Rob,
Why do you think you know this kid so well to speak of him this way? He had an awkward fall, the kids at amat did not bang him up as you put it. I don't think you are being malicious, only just that you are speaking on things you do not know well enough about. Again, thank God you have no influence on these kids. Forget it, you just like to cause commotion.
truth or consequences..I'm in agreement with you. i don't think you intend for your post to sound malicious in any way. it is what it is. get over it people.
W.C. fan,
It is all truth, Illi is a good HS PLAYER. If he is next level Material why did he not dominate against a pac5 team like Amat? He also got hurt in that game and you think he is going to step on the field with college players when he got banged up against a D1 team. WC who are you? Ili no doubt may have big games vs Nogales , Walnut and Rowland but trust me he will not have any college recruiters knocking on his door after his HS days are over. He is of Samoan decent and they make good football players but like any nationality you have the best that make it and the great HS players that do not for some reason. Just hope your counselors over WC get him into college based on classroom performance or he can always JC it and play there like most do that love the game knowing that there is no future money making wise in it.
Rocket Rob, who are you? Curious since you think you have the insight on these kids and speak of their talents so lightly. Thank God you do not influence any of them. Ant the name is Ili #33, don;t forget it.
To CO INSIDER. Insider I bet you must have been cut by BIG LOU. This team has good mojo. Chargers are playoff bound as they have been for years.. You talk trash that tends to divide a well adjusted team. These kids, and they are kids work their way up like the present seniors had to. Are you that guy whd bitchs about every play call? SHUT UP!!!
T or C,
Yes and that Junior is a good HS player only. I put a junior on the College next level list. D.Johnson. Hey Nick Lenhart stock dropped like our recent stock market as soon as Jerry (another Junior)McClanahan took over the QB duties. Lenhart will go to college because of his smarts as well so he has nothing to worry about. He does not need football after HS. Left off Sophmore Jay Anderson, this kid has college football written all over him. Give it up to this years Lancer team with so many college probables. What did Amat have last year? one? Dominique Austin>?,,the rest JC.
que??
HA HA HA, too bad someone doesn't agree that CO is not physical. I do beleive your schedule is weak as noted and ONE TUFF TEAM ENDED IN A TIE.
Too much hype and not enough substance.
I am Sarah Palin and approve this message.
SGVPRIDE:
B. Golden doesn't get the play time he deserves because he came from Monrovia, and Big Lou only plays his favorites..Cant wait to see him next year he will be unstopable..
co football family: NEW REPORT is what you call an abortion he should of never been born
new report the report on you is your a jealous hater
Wow,
Not only do you throw the whole senior team under the bus but you threw in a Junior as well. You are a rooster.
Jesse Illi again, good HS player. They come in bunches but are not next level Material. Hopefully football is not their only trait and they go to college reguardless of Gridiron stardom at the HS level. All parents want to see their kids go on and get a degree in college and if it is by ways of a football talent great. if it is by way of classroom talent but not good enough to crack a football college team even better, you are still going to college and getting your 4 year education. I am for the latter of the two seeing how injuries play a big part in sports and also the odds stacked against you of making the NFL. Good luck to all players that go onto the college level by ways of football and good luck to all students that just go to college period. Remember it is what we call a Student Athlete, with student being first.
What about Junior Jesse Ili from West Covina, he has strength and footwork like I have not seen for awhile. His fullback talent is a complete package with blocking too! This kid is the real deal and should be on that top 5 list you have.
Joe Amat,
I knew there was a reason I respected your opinion...let the free market work it out.
I don't see CO as being that physical either. #5 for CO is B. Golden he is an awesome RB I don't know why he doesn't get more carries. Talent wise I think Muir matches up with CO but CO is much more in sync as a team. I think Bishop would beat them by 14.
I went to the RC game and Damien game. Charter Oak is not that physical at all. They are slow off the ball, try to lean on you and there blocking techniques are weak. The only kid that brings it every play is #5. All this hype about #8, he did NADA against RC and an average team like Damien handled him with ease. Slow to the holes, doesn’t finish at all and goes down pretty easily. Best player on that team is there QB. Wow, and how Guru was wrong about this one! LOL
A fast and talented team will give them fists all night. Plus they’ve played ONE tuff team and the rest are cupcakes.
What was the score of the Los Osos Amat game?
Guru you are a goober. Why don't you drop Bogan's unit and grab his ear. Tell him to schedule Corona Centennial. Lot different than a scrimmage. Bogan lives in a dream world. South Hills preleague schedule is weak if they are the juggernaut they think they are. Heck they typically don't play anybody who matches up with them until the semis. They play one legitimate team in preseason every year and get spanked. if they played Diamond Ranch's schedule they would be 1-4 right now.
The Head Football Coaches from two of the "Four-Best-Teams" (Bogan and Maggiore) went to............ Edgewood H.S.
Scouting Guru, your reports make for fun reading, keep it coming.
shhs
you know so much tell us whats going on
Joe Amat
That's fine, but dont let James tell anyone in this valley he doesn't make money off kids. Maybe not directly getting paid by them but without them, there no report to sell..
I would question his ethics and ability to evaulate talent without experience.
We know the real truth over here.
a small percentage of high school football players play after their high school days. Talent is one factor, but certainly not the only one that will determine whether or not someone plays football beyond the high school years.
GURU} What happended to WE ?
Two points to clarify here. I kinda miss worded myself when I said that Upland and Los Osos don't count. It's my error. They do count. My point is that the deeper you go in the IE, the more talent you'll find. Since there is a new division for the schools in the eastern portion of the IE, many have called them a "B" level division compared to the Inland Division. I don't agree with it, but, we'll see this year.
As for the fan from Muir, two points here. First, I just don't see Muir handling the physical style that Charter Oak and South Hills brings to the table. Plus, both schools have some of the best coaching around. I know that Ken Howard is a great guy and is work at Muir speaks for itself, but in a game of matchups, I just don't see them in the favor of the Mustangs. But, it's way to early yet and things can happen that can change the dynamic of the playoffs. But, I stand by opinion that if CO and SH are on opposite ends of the bracket, there is a crash collision ready to happen.
As for me doing the west side of the SGV, I am seriously thinking about it. I have colleges that would like for me to do some work in Orange County, it just depends if I have the energy to do it. The IE is much bigger than you think and it requires a lot of work. I am not going to sacrifice one scouting area for another.
I will figure it out after signing day.
Hope to see you all at the Amat game Friday night.
Dear PunStang,
Only time will tell when Muir, SH & CO are in the semies. Let's all sit back and enjoy the outcome.
P.S. If it is CO vs your puns, the loser buy's at old town pasadena. DEAL?
TC ; You called out some names here & really through them under the buss, Maybe they dont make it to the next level,But hey it takes all of those guys to make a Lancer team. No need to name them !
A few questions for all the bloggers here. If anyone can help answer them I would appreciate it.
1. The Guru along with a few others often speaks of viewing game film immediately after a game. Is there any way for a regular Joe to get some highlights of a game (not youtube) or game film, and catch a few games that he might have otherwise missed?
2. With the recent introduction of the state bowl games, we now know who the state champions are for each division. But, (perhaps the historian can help here) who were the previous state champions? How many were from the SGV, and how many of those schools had dynasties, of any?
3. Why do some schools have Thursday games instead of Friday games ? I for one like the idea of a Thursday game because I can catch a game that I would ordinarily not be able to see.
BTW, in one of his earlier post's, the Guru said something to the effect of, "a bloger (that would be me) came in here and was asking about a local team (Amat) traveling and taking on teams outside of the local area."
He went on to say something like "I was laughing, because if a SGV team went out to the IE, they would have a long bus ride home."
Now he says that "I want to see someone schedule a team deep in the heart of the IE. No, Los Osos and Upland don't count!"
Interesting...
Here is a opinion:
Amat College players to be:
Brent Seals
Issah Bowens(UCLA)
Jerry McClanahan(baseball included)
Darian Johnson
Nick Lenhart(maybe)
Sheldon Price (UCLA)
Deshawn Gaise (JC)
Jesse Prieto (JC)
Johnathan Maffie (JC)
Thats all folks!
Good HS players no college:
Justin Gener
Jason Teter
Dominic Loera
Christopher Creager
Daoud Ibrahim
Gabriel Flores
Andrew Turner
Daniel Kane
Stephen Falla
There is a difference between a good HS football player and the ones that move on. The one on the move onto a college list are not a for sure bet.
I have seen better go thru AMAT and never play again. Partly because they have no intrest in football beyond HS and also because they cannot handle the college classroom. (see William Wagner)...all in all good to them all , but all do not get the brass ring.
Look, the "Scouting Guru" is a long-time print media guy - so he's well-known and tight with the writers. Great! No "under-the-table" accusations need be thrown around. As I've said before - most recruiting guys are "media guys" more than "coach guys" - so no need to go the credibility route. As a reporter you see alot of guys, you make comparisons and develop opinions. He also, because of that background, is not afraid to make a call, ask a question... or offer an opinion.
If he's making any money it is by selling *his opinion* - he's not selling a kids name. We could get on everyone involved for "making money" off the kids - couldn't we? Bogan's few thousand for a summer of passing scrimmages, Freddie and Steve-O for covering it, the uniform guys, Fox for televising Amat/DR, and on and on. People get paid for the services they provide... and long as someone wants those services.
So the "Guru" will be able to do that only as long as his opinions remain relatively accurate for the college coach to rely on. So if HE IS making money - trust me - they place some value on his opinion, which is more important than if any of us value his opinion. If his opinions are a "swing-and-a-miss" then he'll go by the wayside soon enough. But that's up to him. He's got the balls to lay his reputation on the line.
We should be happy that someone is out there taking the time to call around and try to get colleges interested in our players.
Sgouting Guru,
Your dismissive attitude about Muir is EXACTLY why I can't wait for the playoffs. You yourself said you have NO time to "scout" the WSGV so how would you know ANYTHING about their potential or lackthereof. Your mention of Arcadia shows your ignorance about the west side. The Apaches are going to be lucky to even make the playoffs this year.
I've refrained on commenting about the possibilites in the playoffs and this "guaranteed" matchup between CO and SH that everyone swears will take place because there's absolutely no point in talking about it in Weeks 2,3, and 4. But for a "scouting guru" to guarantee something without seeing every team doesn't make sense, and don't tell me you watched the film from Week 0 vs. DR.
Ok "S.G." since you are the guru, tell me EXACTLY why Muir won't make the Finals. Details please....
I look at it as believe what you want to believe when it comes to one mans opinion. That's all it is a opinion, read it for enjoyment and dont put too much into cross examining it. Altogether you have the choice to not read it at all. There is some insight to it and names we recognize in the players but then again it is all in this so called Guru's writing. I am not so sure on Jesse Prietos evaluation, I have seen better then that at Amat and they never played or got offered from colleges after High School. Unless Jesse is a great student as well, but guys like Andrew Soto, Moe Vasquez, Michael Shay I feel were alot better then Preito in their days at Amat and these guys either played a little JC or never played again and were just HS good football players. I do not think Prieto is a next level player, but then again this is one mans opinion...I could be wrong.
FANS LISTEN UP
If you think he's doing this for FREE, think again.
He's being paid, and using the kids names to get paid.
And don't think our coaches are handing over film.. Maybe a select few
Wonder why he was asked to vacate the office? We may know more...
Maybe the Tribune has a little invested, since Freddy supports promoting his opinions.. LOL
I also enjoy the guru's input...Keep it coming!!
I for one enjoy Guru's comments. He may not be right 100 percent of the time but who is? Hell if a moron like Mel Kiper can be considered an expert anyone can.
CO dad. How is he exactly profitting by giving his opinion? From what Fred has told us he does this for free. Ever been wrong about anything? Takes a bigger man to admit he's wrong and correct it than to just let it go.
This guy continues to back peddle.
Look at comments he made about Chris Allen. Now taking them back. You sir had NO BUSINESS making those comments about a young man and don't give me its my opinion crap. You're probabaly jumping on the bandwagon now, because he is being looked at, and you dont want to look stupid in the end. Alot more schools out there than the PAC 10 that are scouting kids in this area. You obviously dont have a handle on all of them. Wonder Why?
You may not take money from parents/kids, but you still are trying to PROFIT off there success.
Nice read, but stop with the praise for Charter Oak. They play much better when they're being called lucky, over over-rated, or cheaters.
Thank you.
Whether you agree with him or not, it is obvious the Guru does his homework. It doesn't necessarily mean his homework is right but he obviously puts forth a great effort. Thaks for good reading.
He meant live Don, he watches game films all week.
Sweet Mother of God
All of this from a guy who wrote last week he was going out to see Amat play for the first time.
This week.