Football Recruiting - West Region: Stanford Cardinal
There were a number of highly recruited quarterbacks at last weekend's Elite 11 stop in Northern California, and all eyes were on Vanderbilt commit K.J. Carta-Samuels (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine Prep), Michigan commit Wilton Speight (Richmond, Va./Collegiate School), Oregon commit Morgan Mahalak (Kentfield, Calif./Marin Catholic) and Miami commit Brad Kaaya (West Hills, Calif./Chaminade), in addition to the top quarterback in the West region, Keller Chryst (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto).
But several other quarterbacks managed to play their way into the spotlight, including Keaton Dunsford (Santa Rosa, Calif./Cardinal Newman), who jumped out early and often.
But several other quarterbacks managed to play their way into the spotlight, including Keaton Dunsford (Santa Rosa, Calif./Cardinal Newman), who jumped out early and often.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Texas’ search for potential 2015 quarterback targets has taken Major Applewhite all the way out to California.
The Longhorns offensive coordinator has at least five West Coast quarterbacks on his radar right now and is visiting them this week. Kyle Kearns is glad to know he’s one.
The Longhorns offensive coordinator has at least five West Coast quarterbacks on his radar right now and is visiting them this week. Kyle Kearns is glad to know he’s one.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Keller Chryst (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) has plenty of history to follow.
His grandfather, George Chryst, was a longtime high school football coach and the head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. His father, Geep Chryst, is the quarterback coach of the San Francisco 49ers. His uncle, Paul Chryst, is the head coach at Pittsburgh. Another uncle, Rick Chryst, was the commissioner of the Mid-American Conference for 10 years. And if that wasn’t enough, Chryst was named after a football icon: Michael Keller Ditka, Jr.
Yet, with all the potential fanfare surrounding his family and upbringing, Keller, the No. 2 quarterback in the country, has found a way to stay off the grid, far removed from the usual media and recruiting attention that comes with being one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits.
His grandfather, George Chryst, was a longtime high school football coach and the head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. His father, Geep Chryst, is the quarterback coach of the San Francisco 49ers. His uncle, Paul Chryst, is the head coach at Pittsburgh. Another uncle, Rick Chryst, was the commissioner of the Mid-American Conference for 10 years. And if that wasn’t enough, Chryst was named after a football icon: Michael Keller Ditka, Jr.
Yet, with all the potential fanfare surrounding his family and upbringing, Keller, the No. 2 quarterback in the country, has found a way to stay off the grid, far removed from the usual media and recruiting attention that comes with being one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The penultimate Elite 11 Regional brought some of the West region’s top quarterbacks out to the San Francisco 49ers practice facility on Friday evening. Though no quarterback earned MVP honors or walked away with an invitation to the Elite 11 Finals, RecruitingNation learned plenty about those in attendance.
A Milford man no more
Until Friday evening, ESPN 150 quarterback Keller Chryst (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) had been neither seen nor heard this spring in as large a setting as the Elite 11 provided. Chryst doesn’t participate in 7-on-7 tournaments and spends even less time speaking with the media, so Friday provided Chryst with an opportunity to make a statement, and he delivered. Though the 6-foot-4, 225-pound quarterback wasn’t completely pleased with his day, it was easy to see why several top programs have made him a priority in this class. Chryst was one of eight quarterbacks selected to compete in the final pressure-cooker drill and said after the camp that Alabama, Pittsburgh, Stanford and USC are the four schools he is focused on at the present, though he has no plans for which summer camps he will attend or when he will make a final decision.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Jabrill Peppers (Paramus, N.J./Paramus Catholic), the No. 2 prospect in the country, has set his decision date.
The No. 1 defensive back will make his decision live on ESPNU on May 26. With almost every program in the country targeting the talented prospect, Peppers has narrowed his list down to LSU, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Rutgers and Stanford.
He still plans on taking his visit to Penn State on May 18, and has already been out to Michigan, LSU and Ohio State. There might still be a surprise visit in store before the announcement as well. The five-star prospect has turned heads with his play on the field and will undoubtedly be a game changer for whichever school he picks.
FRISCO, Texas -- Soso Jamabo (Plano, Texas/Plano West) would have liked to be a part of this weekend’s Nike EYBL series playing with the Texas Titans. With a sling on his right shoulder, however, the 2015 two-sport star was reduced to watching the Titans on the bench, offering instruction to teammates and being the team’s biggest supporter.
For the rest of the spring and most of the summer, Jamabo’s focus will be on rehabbing after undergoing shoulder surgery on April 30. Jamabo broke some bones and damaged some ligaments in his shoulder during a Texas Class 5A Division-I state quarterfinal playoff. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete is expected to miss 6-10 weeks but is projected to return a couple of weeks before Plano West’s first scrimmage in August.
“It’s early in the process, but it’s going well,” Jamabo said of the rehab process. “I’m just trying to get the shoulder back to usual, if not better. Right now, I’m just doing basic stuff and keep everything as minimal as possible.”
Exactly what kind of football player will Plano West look to see back on the field? Jamabo’s first rush as a varsity player was against Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus on Aug. 31. It went for 12 yards. His second rush: A 75-yard touchdown run.
Since then, Soso has been ... well ... anything but.
Only the shoulder injury managed to slow the electrifying 2015 running back down. He rushed for a team-leading 1,697 yards and 24 touchdowns and also caught 20 passes for 453 yards -- an average of almost 23 yards per catch -- and four touchdowns. On the basketball court, Jamabo averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 11 games.
For the rest of the spring and most of the summer, Jamabo’s focus will be on rehabbing after undergoing shoulder surgery on April 30. Jamabo broke some bones and damaged some ligaments in his shoulder during a Texas Class 5A Division-I state quarterfinal playoff. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete is expected to miss 6-10 weeks but is projected to return a couple of weeks before Plano West’s first scrimmage in August.
“It’s early in the process, but it’s going well,” Jamabo said of the rehab process. “I’m just trying to get the shoulder back to usual, if not better. Right now, I’m just doing basic stuff and keep everything as minimal as possible.”
Exactly what kind of football player will Plano West look to see back on the field? Jamabo’s first rush as a varsity player was against Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus on Aug. 31. It went for 12 yards. His second rush: A 75-yard touchdown run.
Since then, Soso has been ... well ... anything but.
Only the shoulder injury managed to slow the electrifying 2015 running back down. He rushed for a team-leading 1,697 yards and 24 touchdowns and also caught 20 passes for 453 yards -- an average of almost 23 yards per catch -- and four touchdowns. On the basketball court, Jamabo averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 11 games.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Inspired by Florida's "#ComePlayWRFortheJoker" campaign, our recruiting writers looked at other ways schools can sell themselves on the trail. Here's a look at recruiting pitches for the Pac-12:
Arizona Wildcats
What they're selling: Rich Rodriguez's offensive system worked wonders at West Virginia and introduced the nation to Denard Robinson at Michigan. In 2012, the explosive offense scored at least 34 points in 10 of the Wildcats' 13 games.
What they're missing: The Wildcats don't have the Territorial Cup, which went to Arizona State following a 41-34 victory last season. If Arizona is going to climb the Pac-12 ranks, it'll need to win at home and lock up local talent over the Sun Devils.
Arizona State Sun Devils
What they're selling: There's a new attitude at Arizona State, as Todd Graham took the Sun Devils from the most penalized team in the country to one of the least penalized in just one year. Installing that discipline and accountability has been a major selling point for recruits signing up to play with Graham.
What they're missing: The Sun Devils won their final three games of the season for the first time in more than three decades, but losses to UCLA and USC leave them looking up at the Pac-12 South leaders in the battle for national prominence.
California Golden Bears
What they're selling: One of the top public universities in the world, Cal will always be able to pitch its strong academics to recruiting. The new facilities and revamped California Memorial Stadium will help accentuate the package with a pretty bow.
What they're missing: Coach Sonny Dykes has recent Pac-12 experience, but his three years at Louisiana Tech took him completely out of the minds of West region recruits. In-state recruits, essential to Cal's recruiting success, are unfamiliar with what Dykes' systems look like in game action, although the Golden Bears will have a chance to make several statements this fall.
Colorado Buffaloes
What they're selling: The Buffaloes need playmakers at a multitude of position on both sides of the ball. Playing time and the ability to make an instant impact are certainly on the table for Colorado recruits.
What they're missing: Colorado was two points away from a winless season in 2012 and has very little on-field momentum heading into 2013. The Buffs have just four wins in two years in the Pac-12, and until that changes, it'll be difficult to win significant recruiting battles.
Oregon Ducks
What they're selling: The noisy uniforms and noisier Autzen Stadium provide the flash, but there is plenty of substance in the fast-paced offense the Ducks run. It's unlikely that will slow down under new coach Mark Helfrich.
What they're missing: Mostly obviously, they're missing Chip Kelly, which has left a slight cloud over how the program might change direction or continue unaltered under the new staff. But the possibility of looming NCAA sanctions means the Ducks can't sell completely smooth sailing to recruits in this class.
Oregon State Beavers
What they're selling: The Beavers can sell credibility, not just on the field, but with the coaching staff as well. Mike Riley and his staff have proven they can win in Corvallis and year after year, the Beavers' coach comes across as incredibly genuine to recruits.
What they're missing: In state, Oregon State is the decided underdog when it comes to flash and national appeal. The Beavers aren't often referred to as a "dream school" by recruits, so there is rarely a sure-fire commitment for coaches when they go out of state.
Stanford Cardinal
What they're selling: Arguably no school in the country has the combination of academics and athletics of Stanford. When you're recruiting student-athletes, that's a good place to start.
What they're missing: Despite the recent success, Stanford is never going to be able to put together the game-day atmosphere of some of its Pac-12 competition, including Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington.
UCLA Bruins
What they're selling: Jim Mora's staff has Southern California buzzing about the new direction UCLA is headed. That's a good thing for the Bruins, who have climbed out of the shadow of USC.
What they're missing: The Bruins had a chance to completely pass USC, but dropped their final three games of the season. There is still a question about whether they've jumped the Trojans for good and until that is settled on the field this season, the Trojans will likely get the benefit of the doubt, regionally and nationally.
USC Trojans
What they're selling: No Pac-12 program can fall back on tradition like USC. And now with the John McKay Center, old school meets new school in a much-needed facility upgrade.
What they're missing: Rumblings about Lane Kiffin's job security began after a 10-point loss to UCLA, grew louder after a loss to Notre Dame and became deafening after a Sun Bowl loss to Georgia Tech. Despite athletic director Pat Haden throwing his full support behind the coach, recruits and their families are having difficulty believing Kiffin and his staff are there for the long haul.
Utah Utes
What they're selling: Offensively, there is plenty of intrigue as to how co-offensive coordinators Dennis Erickson and Brian Johnson direct the attack. Overall, there is still the memory of what Utah was able to accomplish as a BCS spoiler in 2008, and Kyle Whittingham hopes to spark some of that magic in the Pac-12.
What they're missing: In two years, the Utes are below .500 in the Pac-12 and missed out on a bowl game last season. At this point, it's still an uphill climb in terms of convincing recruits they can cause an upheaval in the conference standings.
Washington Huskies
What they're selling: It's tough to find a coaching staff with more energy on the field or recruiting trail, starting with head coach Steve Sarkisian and moving to every assistant coach on the staff. It's a young group that relates incredibly well to recruits.
What they're missing: The Huskies have yet to win eight games in Sarkisian's three years in Seattle, so hitting that number would be a big step toward proving there is some growing on-field momentum.
Washington State Cougars
What they're selling: Mike Leach is still one of the most interesting personalities in college football, and despite some stumbles in his first year at Washington State, recruits are still interested to see what the Cougars can do this fall in his second year.
What they're missing: The Cougars need wins and they need them now. Washington State hasn't posted a winning record since 2003 and when it comes to on-field performance, it simply can't compete with a majority of Pac-12 teams.
Arizona Wildcats
What they're selling: Rich Rodriguez's offensive system worked wonders at West Virginia and introduced the nation to Denard Robinson at Michigan. In 2012, the explosive offense scored at least 34 points in 10 of the Wildcats' 13 games.
What they're missing: The Wildcats don't have the Territorial Cup, which went to Arizona State following a 41-34 victory last season. If Arizona is going to climb the Pac-12 ranks, it'll need to win at home and lock up local talent over the Sun Devils.
Arizona State Sun Devils
What they're selling: There's a new attitude at Arizona State, as Todd Graham took the Sun Devils from the most penalized team in the country to one of the least penalized in just one year. Installing that discipline and accountability has been a major selling point for recruits signing up to play with Graham.
What they're missing: The Sun Devils won their final three games of the season for the first time in more than three decades, but losses to UCLA and USC leave them looking up at the Pac-12 South leaders in the battle for national prominence.
California Golden Bears
What they're selling: One of the top public universities in the world, Cal will always be able to pitch its strong academics to recruiting. The new facilities and revamped California Memorial Stadium will help accentuate the package with a pretty bow.
What they're missing: Coach Sonny Dykes has recent Pac-12 experience, but his three years at Louisiana Tech took him completely out of the minds of West region recruits. In-state recruits, essential to Cal's recruiting success, are unfamiliar with what Dykes' systems look like in game action, although the Golden Bears will have a chance to make several statements this fall.
Colorado Buffaloes
What they're selling: The Buffaloes need playmakers at a multitude of position on both sides of the ball. Playing time and the ability to make an instant impact are certainly on the table for Colorado recruits.
What they're missing: Colorado was two points away from a winless season in 2012 and has very little on-field momentum heading into 2013. The Buffs have just four wins in two years in the Pac-12, and until that changes, it'll be difficult to win significant recruiting battles.
Oregon Ducks
What they're selling: The noisy uniforms and noisier Autzen Stadium provide the flash, but there is plenty of substance in the fast-paced offense the Ducks run. It's unlikely that will slow down under new coach Mark Helfrich.
What they're missing: Mostly obviously, they're missing Chip Kelly, which has left a slight cloud over how the program might change direction or continue unaltered under the new staff. But the possibility of looming NCAA sanctions means the Ducks can't sell completely smooth sailing to recruits in this class.
Oregon State Beavers
What they're selling: The Beavers can sell credibility, not just on the field, but with the coaching staff as well. Mike Riley and his staff have proven they can win in Corvallis and year after year, the Beavers' coach comes across as incredibly genuine to recruits.
What they're missing: In state, Oregon State is the decided underdog when it comes to flash and national appeal. The Beavers aren't often referred to as a "dream school" by recruits, so there is rarely a sure-fire commitment for coaches when they go out of state.
Stanford Cardinal
What they're selling: Arguably no school in the country has the combination of academics and athletics of Stanford. When you're recruiting student-athletes, that's a good place to start.
What they're missing: Despite the recent success, Stanford is never going to be able to put together the game-day atmosphere of some of its Pac-12 competition, including Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington.
UCLA Bruins
What they're selling: Jim Mora's staff has Southern California buzzing about the new direction UCLA is headed. That's a good thing for the Bruins, who have climbed out of the shadow of USC.
What they're missing: The Bruins had a chance to completely pass USC, but dropped their final three games of the season. There is still a question about whether they've jumped the Trojans for good and until that is settled on the field this season, the Trojans will likely get the benefit of the doubt, regionally and nationally.
USC Trojans
What they're selling: No Pac-12 program can fall back on tradition like USC. And now with the John McKay Center, old school meets new school in a much-needed facility upgrade.
What they're missing: Rumblings about Lane Kiffin's job security began after a 10-point loss to UCLA, grew louder after a loss to Notre Dame and became deafening after a Sun Bowl loss to Georgia Tech. Despite athletic director Pat Haden throwing his full support behind the coach, recruits and their families are having difficulty believing Kiffin and his staff are there for the long haul.
Utah Utes
What they're selling: Offensively, there is plenty of intrigue as to how co-offensive coordinators Dennis Erickson and Brian Johnson direct the attack. Overall, there is still the memory of what Utah was able to accomplish as a BCS spoiler in 2008, and Kyle Whittingham hopes to spark some of that magic in the Pac-12.
What they're missing: In two years, the Utes are below .500 in the Pac-12 and missed out on a bowl game last season. At this point, it's still an uphill climb in terms of convincing recruits they can cause an upheaval in the conference standings.
Washington Huskies
What they're selling: It's tough to find a coaching staff with more energy on the field or recruiting trail, starting with head coach Steve Sarkisian and moving to every assistant coach on the staff. It's a young group that relates incredibly well to recruits.
What they're missing: The Huskies have yet to win eight games in Sarkisian's three years in Seattle, so hitting that number would be a big step toward proving there is some growing on-field momentum.
Washington State Cougars
What they're selling: Mike Leach is still one of the most interesting personalities in college football, and despite some stumbles in his first year at Washington State, recruits are still interested to see what the Cougars can do this fall in his second year.
What they're missing: The Cougars need wins and they need them now. Washington State hasn't posted a winning record since 2003 and when it comes to on-field performance, it simply can't compete with a majority of Pac-12 teams.
Stanford will welcome another McCaffrey to its athletic program.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Peppers should know future school soon 
April, 24, 2013
Apr 24
6:15
PM ET
By
Jared Shanker | ESPN.com
By mid-July, one of the top players in the country will have a pretty good idea as to where he will be playing his college football in 2014.
Paramus (N.J.) Catholic cornerback Jabrill Peppers, No. 2 in the ESPN 150, will visit Stanford in July. Following that trip, he will have his future program in mind.
“Definitely after I visit Stanford I should have it pretty clear where I want to go,” Peppers said.
The five-star cornerback is coming off April trips to LSU, Michigan and Ohio State, and while Peppers did not tip his hand, people close to the dynamic two-way athlete say Michigan has a sizeable lead of those three. He has listed Stanford as his No. 1 for several months and will visit Palo Alto before officially dropping them from the top of his list.
Paramus (N.J.) Catholic cornerback Jabrill Peppers, No. 2 in the ESPN 150, will visit Stanford in July. Following that trip, he will have his future program in mind.
“Definitely after I visit Stanford I should have it pretty clear where I want to go,” Peppers said.
The five-star cornerback is coming off April trips to LSU, Michigan and Ohio State, and while Peppers did not tip his hand, people close to the dynamic two-way athlete say Michigan has a sizeable lead of those three. He has listed Stanford as his No. 1 for several months and will visit Palo Alto before officially dropping them from the top of his list.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Kaaya has sights set on several schools
April, 23, 2013
Apr 23
12:35
PM ET
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
It's been a busy spring for quarterback Brad Kaaya (West Hills, Calif./Chaminade), who has logged visits across the country, including trips to Arizona State, Miami, Stanford and UCLA. This past weekend, the 6-foot-4, 213-pound signal-caller was at Oklahoma State, getting his first look at the Stillwater, Okla., campus.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ESPN 150 offensive tackle Casey Tucker (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) has decommitted from USC, high school coach Steve Belles said in a text message.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ATH Downs takes in Washington spring game
April, 21, 2013
Apr 21
9:47
PM ET
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
The rain might have put a bit of a damper on the Washington spring game, but the Huskies coaches were ready to take advantage of having several of the region's top prospects on hand, including one of the top in-state targets, athlete Devante Downs (Mountlake Terrace, Wash./Mountlake Terrace).
"It was pretty fun," Downs said of his visit to the spring game. "The only thing I didn't like was the rain -- having to sit there in it and not being able to play."
"It was pretty fun," Downs said of his visit to the spring game. "The only thing I didn't like was the rain -- having to sit there in it and not being able to play."
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
With its combination of academics and athletics, Stanford is one of those programs that can turn heads with a spring scholarship offer in the West region. On Friday, the Cardinal made a statement when they set their sights on a West Coast linebacker.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Safety Payton Hendrix has only been at Dallas Bishop Dunne a few weeks, but the move has already done wonders for his recruiting process.
Hendrix, who attended Red Oak (Texas) High before transferring this spring, picked up his biggest offer yet on Tuesday from Stanford and now has five total thus far.
The 6-foot-3, 187-pound prospect met with Cardinal defensive coordinator Derek Mason on Tuesday and was excited to add the Rose Bowl champions to his list of options.
Hendrix, who attended Red Oak (Texas) High before transferring this spring, picked up his biggest offer yet on Tuesday from Stanford and now has five total thus far.
The 6-foot-3, 187-pound prospect met with Cardinal defensive coordinator Derek Mason on Tuesday and was excited to add the Rose Bowl champions to his list of options.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Recruiting updates from B2G Invitational
April, 15, 2013
Apr 15
11:20
PM ET
By
Erik McKinney | ESPN.com
While the RecruitingNation Top 10 from the B2G 7v7 Elite 16 Tournament featured the top performers from the weekend, there were plenty of other players who put together big weekends and find themselves on the recruiting boards of Pac-12 programs.
Quinn Smith
2014, Carlsbad (Calif.) La Costa Canyon |TE| 6-foot-5, 235 pounds
Smith jumped out simply based on his size, but the big tight end also showed why programs across the country have him on their radar. He holds an FCS offer from Eastern Illinois, but it might not be long before he breaks into the FBS ranks. His father attended Arizona and the Wildcats, who have expressed serious interest, would become the prohibitive favorite if an offer was extended. Smith also has heard from Air Force, Boise State, Colorado, Colorado State, Michigan, Nebraska, Stanford, UCLA, Washington, Washington State and Wisconsin. He plans to camp this summer at Stanford, and said both the Cardinal and Bruins are waiting for his SAT score to come in before discussing an offer. However it's unlikely that Smith, who sports a 4.3 GPA, will be tripped up by academics while working to get to the next level.
Quinn Smith
2014, Carlsbad (Calif.) La Costa Canyon |TE| 6-foot-5, 235 pounds
Smith jumped out simply based on his size, but the big tight end also showed why programs across the country have him on their radar. He holds an FCS offer from Eastern Illinois, but it might not be long before he breaks into the FBS ranks. His father attended Arizona and the Wildcats, who have expressed serious interest, would become the prohibitive favorite if an offer was extended. Smith also has heard from Air Force, Boise State, Colorado, Colorado State, Michigan, Nebraska, Stanford, UCLA, Washington, Washington State and Wisconsin. He plans to camp this summer at Stanford, and said both the Cardinal and Bruins are waiting for his SAT score to come in before discussing an offer. However it's unlikely that Smith, who sports a 4.3 GPA, will be tripped up by academics while working to get to the next level.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
RECRUITING NATION WEST COVERAGE
The West Region consists of the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico,
Oregon, Utah, Washington and
Wyoming and provides talent for Pac=12 programs and other national recruiting programs.More RecruitingNation blogs
RecruitingNation has the latest recruiting news from across the country:
• On The Trail • East Region blog
• Midlands Region blog
• Midwest Region blog • Southeast Region blog
WEST RECRUITING CONTRIBUTORS
Blair AnguloESPN Archive |
Mason KelleyESPN Archive |
Brandon OliverESPN Archive |
Erik McKinneyESPN Archive |
