What to watch for as prep football teams begin spring drills

This isn’t Texas, so I know most people aren’t spending day and night worrying about spring football.

But in honor of those fans who can’t get enough about football, here are some observations as high school teams begin to start spring drills:

“Blowing up” is a term used in the college recruiting business referring to a player who suddenly gains momentum as a college prospect. Let me offer a quarterback with no scholarship offers who might soon get attention: San Fernando senior-to-be Cristian Solano.

He has grown to 6 feet 3, reached 185 pounds, is participating in track to improve his speed and has a 3.5 grade-point average. He passed for 3,064 yards and 28 touchdowns and ran for 736 yards as a junior. He has been invited to several camps, including UCLA and Utah in June.

“They love my height,” he said of the recruiters dropping by San Fernando. “I still have two more years to keep growing.”

He’s 17 and couldn’t take his eyes away from his TV set Thursday watching the NFL draft.

“That’s my goal, and I’m not going to stop until I get to that day,” he said.

His top two receivers, Jose Camargo and Charles Bell, are back, so in the fall there’s a good chance he’s going to obliterate all San Fernando passing records. “I’m trying to go for 5,000 yards,” he said. “I know it sounds like a lot, but I have to aim big.”

The kid has charisma, smarts and a dream....

Two-time defending City Section champion Harbor City Narbonne loses much of its powerful defense to graduation, but the Gauchos are adding a new standout in sophomore-to-be cornerback Phillip Cathcart. If he keeps working on his grades, beware....

A rising college prospect is 6-5, 285-pound offensive lineman Austin Maihen of Santa Margarita. He started as a sophomore last season, has gained 10 pounds and added strength, and he’s going to be appreciated by college recruiters....

Let’s see how long Santa Ana Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson can keep quiet about his talented group of young players. “I have to see what they can do before I start popping off,” he said. It won’t take long before juniors-to-be Ben Humphreys, Kyle Penniston and Malik McMorris are getting rave reviews. And watch out for sophomore-to-be running back Sammy Duarte, the brother of UCLA-bound Thomas Duarte....

La Mirada Coach Mike Moschetti wins the social media award for best promotion of his players through Twitter and texting. If a college coach is coming on campus or if a player gets an offer, he lets everyone know....

Gardena Serra and West Hills Chaminade might as well forget about all of their opponents. These two schools are on a collision course to meet again in the 2013 Western Division championship game.

It’s going to be quarterback Jalen Greene vs. quarterback Brad Kaaya, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson vs. cornerback Donovan Lee, linebacker Dwight Williams vs. linebacker Rick Gamboa, lineman Rasheem Green vs. lineman Bar Milo....

Let the debate begin about who’s the No. 1 quarterback in Southern California. The candidates: Brandon Dawkins, Westlake Village Oaks Christian; Ricky Town, Ventura St. Bonaventure; Cade Apsay, Canyon Country Canyon; Chase Forrest, Mater Dei; Ian Fieber, Mission Viejo; Robert Webber, Corona Centennial; Damion Wright, Fontana Jurupa Hills; Koa Haynes, La Puente Bishop Amat; Josh Rosen, Bellflower St. John Bosco....

There are no ifs or buts when it comes to identifying the No. 1 running back in Southern California. It’s Demario Richard of Palmdale. The 16-year-old senior-to-be rushed for more than 1,700 yards last season and will help attract a steady stream of college recruiters to Palmdale....

St. John Bosco has so many players with college offers (nine) that its barbecue on May 16 should be filled with a who’s who of college recruiters....

Oaks Christian can’t wait to unveil incoming freshman receiver Michael Owusu, whose brothers Chris, Brian and Francis were standouts with the Lions. “He’s an Owusu,” Coach Jeff Woodruff said. “He’s going to have great grades and be a great player.”

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com