Quarterbacks Rated Best of the Blue-Chips : Offensive Linemen Also Touted; Running Backs Fall on Lean Times

Super scout Dick Lascola knows all about the cyclical nature of prep football in Southern California.

Last season, for example, it was running-back heaven, with Leonard Russell of Long Beach Poly, George Hemingway of Colton and Eric Bieniemy of Bishop Amat, leading a super crop.

But that was 1986.

“This year we have to find a big tree and shake it pretty hard to find” a good senior running back, said Lascola, who operates the Fallbrook-based Scouting Evaluation Assn.

While the preseason running-back picture may be uninspiring, just the opposite is true at quarterback. There is a veritable gold mine there, with Todd Marinovich of Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley, Bret Johnson of El Toro and Darian Hagan of Los Angeles Locke projected as three of the best seniors in the nation.

National expert Max Emfinger of the Houston-based National High School Football Recruiting Service also says it’s a good year for offensive linemen. He placed six from the Los Angeles-Orange County areas in his preseason top 200.

Lascola said that overall the Southland should more than hold its own on the national level. “I don’t think it will go down as one of the greatest years (for talent) in Southern California, but it’s not the worst, either. It’s an above-average year and we have some players who can make a national impact.”

In addition to Lascola and Emfinger, The Times turned to national recruiting services, such as Tom Lemming’s National Prep Football Report of Illinois, the G & W Recruiting Report of Pennsylvania and Florida-based Bill Buchalter, to determine which Los Angeles and Orange county seniors are receiving the most national puff.

Wilmington Banning, Los Angeles Locke and Santa Ana are the only schools with more than one player named to the list. Here, in no particular order, are The Terrific 22:

Marinovich--He is one of the most widely publicized seniors in Southern California and with justification. In three years as a starting quarterback at Mater Dei and Capistrano Valley, he has passed for 6,769 yards and 56 touchdowns. “He’s as experienced as you can get in high school,” Lascola said. Considered one of the best drop-back passers in the nation, he has exceptional size (6-4, 195) and a strong arm. His 3.4 grade-point average is also good news for recruiters. Some have questioned his mobility but that has not stopped him from making most preseason All-American teams.

Johnson--If Marinovich is the best drop-back passer in Southern California, Johnson (6-1, 175) may be the most versatile. Said Emfinger: “I think he’s a little better than Marinovich because he’s more versatile.” A good scrambler with quick feet and 4.6-second speed in the 40-yard dash, he has gained a reputation as a rollout passer. He has a strong arm that makes him doubly dangerous for defenses and perfect for a multiple-set college offense. He is accurate, having been intercepted only twice in 203 passes last season. Scouts also like his field leadership.

Hagan--Everyone agrees that Hagan (6-0, 180) is one of the top athletes among this year’s seniors. What position he will play in college is open to debate. Emfinger, who likes Hagan’s explosive running, has him pegged as an option quarterback. “I think he’s the top option quarterback in the country.” Hagan, who has brilliant 4.5-second speed, has been compared to Oklahoma’s Jamelle Holieway and the Sooners are among the teams recruiting him. But Lascola likes him as a running back. “He’s not a quarterback. I see him more as a running back.” He also has the speed to play wide receiver or flanker.

Kaleaph Carter (Huntington Beach Edison, running back)--The consensus is that the best running back in the state, maybe the nation, is Encino Crespi’s phenomenal junior Russell White. But that hasn’t dampened interest in Carter, a 6-1 and 205 fullback with great drive and leg strength. He also has outstanding upper-body strength, finishing second in the shot put in the CIF Southern Section Masters Track Meet. A good blocker with above-average speed, he is especially tough in short-yardage situations.

Robert Lee (Santa Ana, running back)--The strongest, if not the best, running backs seem to be in Orange County this year. Lee certainly fits the mold. A 6-1, 220-pounder, he started his prep career as a halfback but has grown into a full-fledged fullback. Don’t let his size deceive you, though. Lee has more than adequate speed, clocking 4.6 in the 40. Emfinger calls him a “definite national-caliber recruit.”

Damon Mack (Gardena, wide receiver)--For flat-out speed, you won’t find a faster receiver, at least not in Southern California. Mack’s 4.45 speed makes him dangerously elusive. What separates the 6-0 and 170-pound Mack from other speed-burners are great hands, superb concentration and excellent eye-hand coordination. Then there’s his hard-work ethic that also impresses scouts. It’s no wonder that he has appeared on most preseason All-American teams.

Willie Crawford (Beverly Hills, wide receiver)--Sound familiar? He’s the son of the former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder of the same name. All indications are the younger Crawford is equally talented, although in a different sport. At 6-1 and 197, he has the size and ability to play many positions well. He made a big impression at linebacker last season and has been heavily recruited as a wide receiver, but Emfinger says his future is in the secondary. “I predict that he’ll be a strong safety because he’s a headhunter.” Lascola projects him as a wide receiver or running back because of his speed.

Sean Brown (Granada Hills, tight end)--While he does not have the blazing speed of Mack, there are a lot of things that recruiters like about the 6-3, 205 Brown. “He’s not as tall as they say but he’s a good looking kid,” Lascola says. What he likes most about Brown is his pass-catching ability, which could be the result of good hands and eye-hand coordination. Not to mention the experience of playing at Granada Hills, which has produced many fine passers and receivers.

Rick Fuller (El Monte Arroyo, offensive lineman)--It’s a good year for linemen in Southern California and, without a doubt, the biggest is the 6-8, 280 Fuller. Arroyo is not known for producing major-college prospects, but Fuller is a sizable exception. He is one player who will not need to fill out for college. Fuller has 5.2 speed in the 40, which is a little slow. But Emfinger, who rates Fuller the best offensive tackle in the state, is not concerned. “For pass-blocking he’ll be fine because he has quick feet,” he said.

Brian Jacobs (Newhall Hart, offensive lineman)--Unlike Fuller, Jacobs hails from a school that is accustomed to producing top-caliber players. Considering that the 6-5 and 240 tackle played a key role in Hart winning the CIF Northwestern Conference title last year, it is no surprise that he has been listed on most preseason All-American teams. But there is more to Jacobs than a big buildup. He has great size and should fill out even more in college. He also runs well for his size (5.0 in the 40) and strength and scouts like his potential.

Mike Alexander (Wilmington Banning, offensive lineman)--Perhaps the most seasoned offensive tackle in the state, the 6-4 and 250 Alexander has just about everything recruiters want: size, speed (4.9) and quickness off the ball. Then there is the added bonus of playing for one of the premier football schools in the state. He was a starter on the Banning team that was ranked No. 1 in the state most of last season. He also plays on the defensive line, although most see him on offense in college.

Mark Johnson (El Monte Mountain View, offensive lineman)--Lascola says that in 12 years of scouting prep players, he cannot remember listing a player from Mountain View among the top college prospects. That is probably because the Vikings have never been a football power. However, recruiters are taking notice of Johnson, largely because his 6-3, 270 frame is difficult to ignore. Some scouts question his experience and quickness (5.2 in the 40), although it has not kept the tackle from making several preseason All-American squads.

Vincent Smith (Los Angeles Locke, offensive lineman)--He could be the second coming of William (the Refrigerator) Perry or just your run-of-the-mill 300-pound lineman. The possibilities are intriguing to Emfinger, especially since Smith (6-4, 312) also is supposed to run the 40 in 5.0 seconds. “If he can run 5.0 at 300 pounds, he’s awesome,” Emfinger said. “Even if he runs a 5.2 or 5.3 he’s still a top prospect.” Strength is not a question for Smith, who plays tackle.

Gabriel Mills (Bellflower St. John Bosco, offensive lineman)--In an exceptional year for offensive tackles in the Southland, Mills does not have to take a back seat. At 6-6 and 275, he has the size that intimidates defenses but needs to develop his upper-body strength. He also has quickness (5.1) for his size and comes from a successful program.

Chris Ybarra (Fontana, offensive lineman)--Fontana never seems to lack size on its interior line, and the Steelers have another strong prospect in Ybarra. He’s 6-4 and 240 and has excellent 4.9 speed in the 40. Emfinger regards him as the top prospect at guard in the state.

Bascom Mellon (Diamond Bar, defensive lineman)--It is not supposed to be a good year for defensive linemen in California. One exception is Mellon, a 6-4, 240 tackle who Emfinger said may be the best in the state. He moves well off the ball, runs the 40 in 5.0 and dominates his opposition. He enjoyed a strong junior season, leading his team in quarterback sacks and making the state all-underclass team.

Michael Smalls (Rialto Eisenhower, linebacker)--Ask scouts to name the most impressive defensive prospect in Southern California and the name Smalls is mentioned frequently. “He’s an impact-type player who is one of the best at his position in the country,” said Lascola, who added that he may be the best prospect in the Southland. At 6-3 and 210, Smalls combines size with brilliant 4.6 speed, aggressiveness and excellent range.

Mike Petko (Anaheim Servite, linebacker)--With 4.8 speed in the 40, Petko will have difficulty matching Smalls in a race. But there are intangibles that make him one of the top prospects at linebacker on the West Coast. He has size at 6-4 and 225 and also has quick feet and field sense and is aggressive. He plays for a highly regarded football program.

Titus Tuiasosopo (Wilmington Banning, linebacker)--Another standout from tradition-rich Banning, the 6-3 and 240 Alexander has played middle linebacker for the Pilots, but Emfinger believes he will be a nose guard in college. Tuiasosopo certainly is one of the better athletes in the Southland, having played baseball, basketball and thrown the shot 57-10. He also is a good student, which should increase interest from colleges.

Lamont Hollinquest (Downey Pius X, defensive back)--At 6-4 and 195, Hollinquest has the size to play either linebacker or safety in college. For the moment, he is being recruited as a top prospect at safety. He is considered an exceptional athlete who has good hands, great instincts and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He has also been one of the most impressive Southland players in summer football camps.

Mike Edwards (Placentia Valencia, defensive back)--In a good year for talent in Orange County, Edwards is one of the premier prospects. He made an impression with recruiters as a junior with nine interceptions and made the state all-underclass team. He plays for a solid program, has excellent field presence and above-average speed at 4.55.

Bobby Joyce (Santa Ana, defensive back)--Having played football for only two years, the 6-6 and 190 Joyce understandably has the look of a raw prospect. But he does have a lot of talent. Another of a strong crop of players from Santa Ana, he has excellent size and deceptively good speed (4.6). An all-around athlete, he is also considered an outstanding basketball prospect.