A Below-Average Year for Above-Average Talent : Terrific 22: Analysts say 1991 is an off-year for blue-chip prospects in Southern California. Nonetheless, two South Bay athletes are among players earning distinction in preseason publications.

If national football recruiting service analysts are correct, there will be something missing during the 1991 high school football season in Southern California--the usual overabundance of blue-chip prospects.

The consensus of people who provide preseason lists of potential All-Americans is that this is an off-year for prep talent in Southern California.

Even Dick Lascola, who runs the Fallbrook, Calif.-based Scouting Evaluation Assn., says this year’s crop is average, although he said there is quality at running back. He rates the talent pool at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive line as below average.

But Lascola said that even a below-average year in Southern California ranks favorably to other parts of the country.

Among the top-rated players this season in the opinion of recruiting service are running backs Scott Fields from La Puente Bishop Amat and Omar Love from Rialto Eisenhower, defensive lineman Cedric White from Los Angeles Dorsey and linebacker Phillip Ward from Downey Pius X.

In addition to Lascola, national recruiting services such as Max Emfinger’s National High School Football Recruiting Service of Houston, Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report of Illinois, G & W Recruiting Report of Pennsylvania, SuperPrep magazine of Costa Mesa and the Florida-based Steve Smith’s Blue Chip Report were also used to determine which Greater Los Angeles and Orange County seniors earned distinction on The Times Terrific 22.

Noticeably missing from this year’s Times list is wide receiver Brandon Jessie from Huntington Beach Edison, an exceptional athlete who was one of the leading candidates until he decided recently to play basketball instead of football this season.

Two other top CIF Southern Section players, lineman Joe Wells of Arroyo Grande and linebacker Steve Hixon of Atascadero, were not included on the list because their schools are outside of The Times’ coverage area.

Quartz Hill, which finished second in the CIF Southern Section Division I last season, is the only school with more than one player on the list.

Here, in no particular order, are the 22-players receiving the most preseason publicity from the national recruiting services:

Ryan Fien (Simi Valley Royal, quarterback)--The 6-foot-4 and 190-pound Fien, whose stock appears to be rising each day, has an outstanding arm and is an adept scrambler with 4.8-second speed in the 40-yard dash. As a junior, he completed 121 of 217 passes for 1,646 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions.

Matt Koffler (Rosemead, quarterback)--An All-Mission Valley League selection as a defensive end as a sophomore, he switched to quarterback last year and completed 134 of 238 passes for 2,243 yards and 22 touchdowns with only six interceptions. At 6-4 and 210 pounds, he bench presses 295 pounds.

Ryan Connors (Newhall Hart, quarterback)--The latest in a long line of standout quarterbacks to play for Hart, the 6-0, 180-pound Connors may be lacking size. But he completed 187 of 345 passes for 2,833 yards and 24 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions last season. An adept roll-out passer, he has 4.7 speed in the 40. He also has a strong arm with a quick release and has bench pressed 290 pounds.

Johnny Nanson (Long Beach Jordan, quarterback)--Nanson is a more than adequate passer, but it is his ability to run with the ball that sets him apart. The 6-0, 190-pound Nanson runs the 40 in 4.6. Scouts believe he has the strength and agility to play free or strong safety in college.

Todd Kehrli (Newport Beach Corona Del Mar, quarterback)--Unlike Nanson, Kehrli is definitely in the mold of a pure drop-back passer. More of an unknown commodity than the other four quarterbacks, he passed for 1,670 yards as a sophomore, but struggled as a junior because of injuries. Scouts are impressed with his size (6-5, 212 pounds) and arm. He also has the speed (4.65 in the 40) to roll out if needed.

Pathon Rucker (Glendale, running back)--Rucker is one of the area’s most explosive backs with 4.5 speed in the 40. As a junior, he rushed for 1,878 yards and 29 touchdowns in 229 carries--an average of 8.2 yards a carry. At 6-0 and 190, he is a shifty runner. However, scouts are worried about his grades.

Scott Fields (La Puente Bishop Amat, running back)--The 6-3 and 191-pound Fields joins an impressive list of backs that have attended Bishop Amat, including Eric Bieniemy and Mazio Royster. Fields rushed for 1,416 yards and 15 touchdowns in 176 carries last season and has 4.6 speed in the 40. A deceptive runner, he also played defensive end last season and will double this year as a strong safety.

Omar Love (Rialto Eisenhower, running back)--The 6-2, 185-pound Love has run 4.5 in the 40 and 10.8 in the 100 meters and is regarded as a shifty runner. He is also a top defensive player who was an All-Citrus Belt League selection as a linebacker. As a junior, he rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. Scouts are also worried about his grades.

David Dotson (Moreno Valley Valley View, running back)--Dotson was the leading rusher in the Southern Section with 2,498 yards and 30 touchdowns in a whopping 366 carries last season. The 5-11 and 180-pound Dotson runs the 40 in 4.5 and also has excellent strength and moves. The biggest question may be the caliber of opponents he has played against. Academics remain a concern.

Erik Thomas (Quartz Hill, running back)--At 5-10 and 185 pounds, Thomas has sprinter’s speed in the 40 with a time of 4.5. He is also very powerful, having bench pressed 310 pounds. He is regarded as a good blocker and pass catcher. In addition, he is a dangerous kick returner and can also play defensive back, but needs to improve his grades.

Richard Dice (Mission Hills Alemany, wide receiver)--Dice has 4.5 speed in the 40 and has a vertical leap of 38 inches. As a junior, he caught 50 passes for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns in only nine games. He is an excellent athlete who also plays safety and is the center for the basketball team. Emfinger ranks the 6-3 and 205-pound Dice No. 1 in the nation at wide receiver.

Theron Hill (Carson, wide receiver)--As a wingback last season, the 5-10 and 175-pound Hill caught 50 passes for 771 yards and six touchdowns and also rushed for nearly 200 yards. He may be the fastest player in the Terrific 22 with a 4.47 time in the 40 and has the moves and strength to match. He also played in the secondary and runs track.

Jason O’Connor (El Toro, offensive lineman)--O’Connor, 6-4 and 275 pounds, can bench press 325 pounds. He has a reputation as a drive blocker. “He is very strong at the point of attack and has enough quickness to effectively pull and trap,” Lemming said. An excellent all-around athlete, he runs the 40 in 5.0 and also competes in basketball and track.

Jason Behunin (San Bernardino San Gorgonio, offensive lineman)--Behunin is 6-6 and 285 pounds with long arms. He can bench press more than 350 pounds and also is a defensive lineman, although most recruiters believe he will play offensive tackle in college. Lascola calls him a “raw but talented kid who still needs to refine a little.”

Randy Clemons (Quartz Hill, offensive lineman)--With Clemons leading the blocking for Thomas, it is no wonder why Quartz Hill is expected to have a memorable season. The 6-4 and 265-pound tackle combines great strength with outstanding quickness. He bench presses 355 pounds and runs the 40 in 5.1. He also plays defensive tackle, but scouts think he will be an offensive lineman in college.

Naeem Mills (Wilmington Banning, defensive lineman)--Mills is Mr. Big for Banning this season. At 6-4 and 295 pounds, he has surprising quickness and a 28 1/2-inch vertical leap. He will probably see more time as an offensive lineman this season, but scouts think he can develop into an excellent defensive tackle or nose guard in college. He needs to improve his grades.

Cedric White (Los Angeles Dorsey, defensive lineman)--White could be the best lineman in the state. In fact, Lemming says, “Cedric ranks with the country’s finest (defensive line) prospects.” The 6-3, 253-pound White runs the 40 in 4.7 seconds. He can bench press 380 pounds and has a vertical leap of 30 1/2 inches. He had 10 quarterback sacks last season and also plays offensive tackle.

Shay Muirbrook (Norco, linebacker)--The 6-1, 212-pound Muirbrook may be smaller than some scouts would prefer, but he has above-average speed (4.6 in the 40) and strength (bench press of 325 pounds). Muirbrook, who also competes in track, forced seven fumbles and had 19 tackles for losses last season.

Sam Santana (Paramount, linebacker)--Like Muirbrook, Santana is an extremely aggressive player. He is nearly identical in size at 6-1 and 210 pounds, although he is a fraction slower than Muirbrook at 4.7 in the 40.

Phillip Ward (Downey Pius X, linebacker)--Ward did not receive a lot of attention from recruiters as a junior, perhaps due to the fact he was primarily used as a blocking fullback, but he has been impressive in summer camps and clinics. Lascola said Ward “would have to rank with the best players in Southern California.” At 6-2 and 200 pounds, he runs the 40 in 4.5, which makes him difficult to block. He has a 34-inch vertical leap and made 18 quarterback sacks as an outside linebacker last year.

Freddie Edwards (Lancaster Antelope Valley, defensive back)--Edwards has the ability to play running back or defensive back in college. At 6-1 and 172 pounds, he runs the 40 in 4.5. He is exceptional in defending against a pass and had five interceptions and broke up 10 passes last season. He also rushed for 810 yards and 10 touchdowns.

John Stonehouse (Los Angeles Loyola, punter-kicker)--At Loyola, the name Stonehouse has become synonymous with kicking prowess. Older brother Paul is a kicker at Stanford. John is 6-0 and 205 pounds and was one of the leading punters in the Southern Section last season with a 42.8-yard average, including three punts of more than 50 yards in one game. As a kicker, he is accurate from 50 yards in. Most of his kickoffs land in the end zone.

The Terrific 22

Name School Ht. Wt. Pos. Ryan Fien Royal 6-4 190 QB Matt Koffler Rosemead 6-4 210 QB Ryan Connors Hart 6-0 180 QB Johnny Nanson LB Jordan 6-0 190 QB Todd Kehrli Corona del Mar 6-5 212 QB Pathon Rucker Glendale 6-0 190 RB Scott Fields Bishop Amat 6-3 191 RB Omar Love Eisenhower 6-2 185 RB David Dotson Valley View 5-11 180 RB Erik Thomas Quartz Hill 5-10 185 RB Richard Dice Alemany 6-3 205 WR Theron Hill Carson 5-10 175 WR Jason O’Connor El Toro 6-4 275 OL Jason Behunin San Gorgonio 6-6 285 OL Randy Clemons Quartz Hill 6-4 265 OL Naeem Mills Banning 6-4 295 DL Cedric White Dorsey 6-3 253 DL Shay Muirbrook Norco 6-1 212 LB Sam Santana Paramount 6-1 210 LB Phillip Ward Pius X 6-2 200 LB Freddie Edwards Antelope Valley 6-1 172 DB John Stonehouse Loyola 6-0 205 K