SCOUTING REPORT: RATING THE COLLEGE PROSPECTS : Division I Recruiters Focus on Sean Howard

More than 12,000 people watched as Crespi High methodically took apart St. John Bosco to win the Big Five Conference championship at Anaheim Stadium last week. Crespi’s starting defense allowed St. John Bosco only one score, and its offensive line, which proved to be the best in town, punched holes big enough for a 15-year-old to run through.

Although a team effort may have earned Crespi the title, perhaps the ride wouldn’t have been as easy were it not for one player who so dominated opponents on offense and defense that he was often double- and triple-teamed. Few Del Rey League opponents will soon forget offensive tackle and linebacker Sean Howard.

Despite playing in the Valley-area’s year of the quarterback, the 6-5, 215-pound Howard emerged as the most sought-after high school prospect in the area.

“He is one of the top 10 linebackers in the country,” said Tom Lemming, publisher of the Prep Football Report, an Illinois-based college football scouting service newsletter. “He loves to hit, has great size and great quickness and just loves to hit. He is just a real blue-chip ballplayer right now. He could play for anyone in the country.”

Closer to home, Fallbrook’s Dick Lascola, owner of the Scouting Evaluation Service, said: “Howard is one of the better ones. I mean, he’ll pop you! He is definitely rated as one of the best in the country.”

And from Max Emfinger, owner of the Houston-based National High School Football Recruiting Service: “He’ll be recruited to a major school.”

Which other Valley-area seniors have a legitimate chance to play football at a major college? Remember, Crespi’s Russell White is only a sophomore . . .

Some, like quarterbacks Ken Sollom of Canyon and Jim Bonds of Hart, were expected to make an impact this season. They were listed on reports from every major recruiting service in the country.

Some were not.

The following is a look at which Valley-area seniors attracted attention from major colleges this season.

QUARTERBACKS

Ken Sollom, Canyon--”He has the golden arm,” Canyon Coach Harry Welch said. Sollom passed for 2,720 yards and 28 touchdowns. His ability to stand in the pocket, dodge tacklers and hit receivers with accuracy (165 completions and only 8 interceptions in 290 attempts, 56.9%) are his marks of distinction. Welch said Sollom (6-2, 190) is his most heavily recruited player since Brent Parkinson, now a starting offensive lineman at USC. “I think his stock might have gone up this season,” Emfinger said. Said Lemming: “He can move.” Emfinger, Lascola and Lemming each rated Sollom as one of the best prospects on the West Coast. “There are probably only four quarterbacks in the state that are great prospects,” Lascola said. “He is one of them.”

Jim Bonds, Hart--On his way to leading the Indians to the Northwestern Conference championship, Bonds (6-0, 185) passed for 3,197 yards and 39 touchdowns. Said Dave Baldwin, receivers coach at Stanford: “He’s got a rocket arm. He’s a lot like Elway, which is unreal for his size.” Said Lascola: “Bonds has got the arm. The only thing he doesn’t have is height. Otherwise he is a fantastic football player. He has a real strong arm, a great arm. He is exciting and makes thing happen. . . . Somebody’s gonna take him. Too bad he’s not 6-2.” Said Lemming: “Bonds is a great high school quarterback. His only drawback for major college ball is height, but if he went to the right program I think they could work it out because he is such a great athlete.”

RUNNING BACKS

Albert Fann, Cleveland--Fann, a 6-3, 215-pound tailback, was overlooked in most of the preseason scouting reports. But he raised a few eyes in the regular season, carrying 186 times for 1,107 yards and 14 touchdowns--tops in the Valley area among City players. An exceptional athlete who is being recruited as a defensive back, he also is a member of the Cleveland basketball team. “He is a power runner who could be a fullback in college,” Lemming said. “He could probably play linebacker.” Said Lascola: “Albert is a pretty good-sized kid who plays both sides of the ball well. He has tremendous leaping ability and might be a better strong safety or outside linebacker in college.”

Sean Hampton, Sylmar--Despite an injury-plagued season, Hampton’s stock dropped only slightly. He played with a strained knee and bruised ribs, and in nine games rushed 167 times for 737 yards and six touchdowns. As a junior, he rushed for 1,306 yards--best in the Valley--and was a Times All-Valley first team selection. “He’s not a huge kid,” Lemming said. “He’s maybe on the small side. But he runs the ball well and has good instincts as a runner. He’s a Division I player.” Said Sylmar Coach Tom Richards: “He could play anywhere in the Pac-10. He’s the most heavily recruited kid we’ve ever had.”

KICKERS

Dominic Sandifer, Harvard--Sandifer kicked field goals of 53, 57 and 59 yards as a senior. “As kickers go, Dom is one of the best you can find in the country,” said Cliff Dochterman, a recruiter for the University of Michigan. Lemming called Sandifer one of the top six kickers in the country and one of the top 30 prospects on the West Coast. “He is the premier kicker in the state of California,” Lascola said. “He’s got an excellent foot--he nails that sucker when he hits it. I’m sure Dominic will be able to pick and choose between the schools that so desire his services.”

Todd Rawsthorne, Thousand Oaks--Rawsthorne didn’t let injuries stop him from setting a school record for punting. In 10 games, he punted 23 times for 931 yards for a 40.1 average. His longest punt was 67 yards. “Definitely a major college prospect,” Westlake Coach George Contreras said. Rawsthorne was named to the All-Ventura County first team. “His average is a good average,” Lemming said. “But it all depends on his hang time. But as long as he can hit 40, he can punt for just about anybody.”

LINEMEN

Ron Simmons, Kennedy--Simmons started the season as a returning Times All-Valley lineman, and had an excellent season on both sides of the ball. Brigham Young is very interested in Simmons, who is Mormon and an excellent student. At 6-4, 245, Simmons has the size to play Division I football. Simmons is perhaps the most highly recruited lineman in the Valley area--and arguably the best. “He will be highly recruited,” Emfinger said. Lemming said Simmons is among the top 60 prospects on the West Coast. Lascola agreed.

John Carpenter, Crespi--Crespi Coach Bill Redell said Carpenter is a major college player. That is high praise coming from a former professional football coach, but Carpenter, who also plays linebacker, has earned it. At 6-5, 230 pounds, Carpenter was virtually unstoppable as a tight end. On defense, when opponents ran away from Crespi linebacker Sean Howard, they ran into Carpenter. Ouch. “He’s a great tight end with good hands,” Lemming said. “He is an excellent blocker with all the tools to play Division I. He also plays defense pretty well.”

Robert Teutonico, Crespi--Another Crespi lineman who has the physical dimensions and high school pedigree for which Division I recruiters are looking. With Howard and Teutonico (6-3, 215) on the line, it’s no wonder that Russell White ran wild. “Not to take anything away from White,” Lascola said. “But this kid helped. He’s a well-coached, tough kid.” Said Lemming: “He has good height, but needs to grow and get a little stronger. A great ballplayer who loves to hit. He needs to develop more but has great potential.”

David Reiner, Harvard--Reiner was injured and missed much of Harvard’s season, but his size didn’t change and that’s what the colleges like about him. At 6-6, 260, Reiner has attracted as much attention as any lineman in the area. “He’s a great center, a great long-snapper,” Lemming said. “He could play tackle or guard in college. He’s still growing. He could be a big name in college. He could play pro.” Lemming lists Reiner as one of the top 10 linemen on the West Coast. “He is an excellent student who has been well-coached,” Lascola said. “He is going to be one of the better linemen to come out of Southern California.”

LINEBACKERS

Sean Howard, Crespi--Before the season began, Howard was regarded as one of the best high school linebackers in the nation. He did nothing to alter his preseason billing. Howard (6-5, 215) anchored the best Southern Section defense among Valley-area teams. He also played offensive tackle, paving the way for the Valley area’s leading rusher, Russell White.

Cornell Collier, Taft--At 6-3, 205, Collier has excellent size and speed to be a Division I linebacker. He was also a member of a powerful offensive backfield, rushing for 544 yards and three touchdowns. He returned one interception 27 yards, and spearheaded the best defense in the Sunset League. Collier was named the league’s defensive player of the year. “He’s a great athlete,” Lemming said. “He could play running back, safety or even linebacker if he gained some weight. He also likes to hit. I’d say he’s in the top 60.” Lascola called Collier a kid with raw talent and good size who “passes the look test.”

RECEIVER

David Lee, Hart--Although he missed several games with a broken wrist, Lee, a tight end, caught 22 passes for 335 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also provided protection for one of California’s most prolific passers, Jim Bonds. Perhaps Lee’s biggest asset, however, is his size: 6-4, 215. He was a two-time All-Foothill League selection. He was also the Indians’ punter, and is an excellent baseball player. Last year, Lee was a three-sport letterman at Hart. “He’s another good ballplayer,” Lemming said. “He’s in the top 60. He could play tight end, linebacker or defensive end in college. He really had a great senior season after being injured.”

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Dion Lambert, Kennedy--Lambert’s stock rose considerably this season. “His better days are ahead of him,” Lascola said. He was not mentioned on many preseason teams, but has played spectacularly this season. He was the team-leader on the Valley’s top-rated defense, which allowed an average of 81.1 yards a game. Lambert (6-2, 175) also plays wide receiver. Lambert was named the Valley 4-A League defensive player of the year. “He is an excellent prospect as a defensive back or wide receiver,” Lemming said.

Ralph Blanks, Royal--Colleges would be better off to take a chance on Blanks’ potential rather than his performance this season. He had but one interception. Still, he was one of the most vicious hitters in the Valley-area--and one of the most sought-after. Blanks led Royal’s secondary in tackles. He has good size (6-4, 185) for a college defensive back and has excellent hands and an impressive vertical leap. Blanks wasn’t well-known outside of Simi Valley before the season. That has changed. Said Lemming: “He is a great athlete who can play wide receiver, defensive back or tight end. He runs well, has great hands--he does everything well. He is definitely in the top 30 in California along with Bonds, Sollom, Howard.” Emfinger said Blanks is destined to be a free safety at a major college.