Talent in Place for a Big 2005

For those high school football fans who can’t wait until spring practice begins, here are lots of reasons to be excited about 2005.

The junior, sophomore and freshman classes this season were loaded with exceptional talent, so much so that college recruiters already know many of their names.

All UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell has to do to bring in a few top recruits is persuade a couple of former Bruins to let their sons come to Westwood in 2007.

Sophomore defensive back Shane Horton of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and sophomore running back Marc Tyler of Westlake Village Oaks Christian are the sons of former Bruins, lineman Michael Horton and running back Wendell Tyler. Both will be big-time prospects.

USC Coach Pete Carroll can use the line, “You’re a Trojan for life,” in recruiting Dorsey defensive end Keith Browner, whose father, Joey, was a standout defensive back at USC.

When it comes to quarterbacks, the seniors-to-be who should compete for No. 1 next fall are Garrett Green of Notre Dame, Michael Herrick of Valencia, Jon Daniels of Santa Margarita and Scott Saunders of Palm Springs.

At running back, it’s hard to find a tougher, stronger runner than Chane Moline of Mission Viejo. But don’t forget about C.J. Gable of Sylmar, Toby Gerhart of Norco, Ken Ashley of Venice, Stafon Johnson of Dorsey, Rodney Glass of Notre Dame and Davon Brown of South Torrance.

There are no faster receivers than Jamere Holland of Woodland Hills Taft, who should win track championships in the 100 and 200 meters this spring.

At tight end, 6-6, 233-pound Konrad Reuland of Mission Viejo can pick any college to attend in the country.

As for offensive linemen, 300-pound Jovan Hayes of Dorsey and 290-pound Sione Fua of Encino Crespi were dominant juniors.

At defensive end, Jeff Miller of Westlake Village Westlake had 13 sacks. Good luck to those who try to block him next fall.

At linebacker, Allen Bradford of Colton has the speed, strength and toughness to take on anyone.

Free safety Darian Hagan of Crenshaw came away with 13 interceptions. And that’s not his best quality. It’s his speed that elevates him to the top of the defensive backs list.

The No. 1 kicker in America is Kai Forbath of Notre Dame. He made 19 of 21 field-goal attempts as a junior, averaged 45 yards per punt and sent 83 of 109 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.

The sophomore class will be a year older, and who knows what great moments lie ahead for quarterback Jimmy Clausen of Oaks Christian, tailback Shane Vereen of Valencia, quarterback Ryan Cloney of Thousand Oaks, cornerback Donovan Warren of Long Beach Poly, linebacker Christopher Galippo of Anaheim Servite, linebacker Joseph Easter of Bellflower St. John Bosco, quarterback Aaron Corp of Orange Lutheran, defensive back Marshall Jones of Oaks Christian and running back Aaron Harris of Baldwin Park.

And look what freshmen Matthew Contreras of Orange and Milton Knox of Lake Balboa Birmingham accomplished. Contreras rushed for 1,407

yards. Knox started at cornerback for the City Section champions and gained 505 yards at tailback.

For top teams next season, start with Long Beach Poly and include Mission Viejo, Santa Margarita, Notre Dame, Ventura St. Bonaventure, Norco, Huntington Beach Edison, Oaks Christian, East Valley Redlands, Newhall Hart and Venice.

Enjoy the off-season, if there really is one, and get ready for a fall season full of big-time college prospects.

Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.