Week 1 Chasing The Dream 2013 Updates
Today we bring you the first Update in one of he most ambitious projects we have taken on in the 8 years we have been writing and analyzing prep sports. Chasing The Dream is in it’s 3rd year and with more then 20 athletes to track down in the 3 State Region of the Pacific Northwest we more then have our hands full. Through their stories comes the experience that many would never otherwise get or understand. What does it take? How did they get their offers? Or did they? What worked and what did not work in terms of camps, work outs, services, diet, drills, and other aspects to the recruiting process and this Chase that they and all High School kids are on when they put the helmet on. Welcome to Chasing the Dream 2013 !
Here is the link to the Parent Page on This series! This is our first update and we will update you every two weeks from now until August when doubles start at which time we will end the series and move on to our regular season coverage. This folks is an amazing group of NW Talent!
Join us in 2013 as we follow the trials and tribulations of these Northwest Prospects in Pursuit of the Dream of Playing College Football.[/caption]
Connor Humphreys – Central Catholic HS- OR- 6’4- 265 lbs – DE/OL – 2014
4 Stars- Rivals
Offers- WSU, OSU, Cal, ASU, BSU, PSU, Wyoming
Our Take- This kid we have seen up close and personal. His speed and size are unmatched. Period. He MVP’s the Rivals Under Armour Camp in LA at Defensive Line and was unstoppable. His demeanor, ability to hand fight, and beat O linemen, as well as some nifty moves make him special. Should be the next All American from Central Catholic!
Update- “Right now iwith recruiting I hold 7 scholarships from Arizona State, Washington State, Cal, Oregon State, Boise State, Wyoming and Portland State. I work out 5 to 6 times a week at 5:30 in the morning before school. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I also work from 4:30 to 10:30 at night. The days that I do not work I am practicing track. I am throwing the shot put, and discus. Right now it is starting to get busy with calling coaches, visits, workouts, track, work, and school on top of that. I just to keep what’s important in mind to help me get through the long days.”
Christan Olson- Ferris HS , WA- Quarterback 6’2” 190 lbs – 2014
Offers- None Yet
Our Take- Christian is playing his 3rd season for Ferris HS in Spokane, Wash. This guy is a student and friend of legendary QB Coach Tom Martinez ( RIP). He had a good 2012 closing on on 2,000 yards. A gunslinger in every sense of the word. Will he rise up to grab his Golden Ticket to the College scene? We would not bet against this kid who is driven!
Update-
“I have been hearing a lot from th Ivy Leagues! They have been sending requests for information. Harvard, Yale, and Brown especially. I also was contacted from Rice and Montana State so things have really picked up!
I did hoops its over now — Right now it is 5 days a week. I am lifting at AJAX Fitness with my trainer. For my QB work I am throwing for the school . It is me and the receivers. This is something I have taken upon myself and some of the other Seniors. There are 20 to 30 of us hotting this on a regular basis. That includes Juniors and Seniors- We work 1-1 Routes, various coverages and and 7 on 7. SO far we are really coming together!”
Gunnar Amos- QB at Cour D’Alene High School- ID- 6’1’- 195 lbs – 2014
Offers- Idaho State
Our Take- Gunnar had 3,700 yards last season and landed an offer from Idaho State University when he was a Sophomore. He is a dual-threat QB and has a terrific arm and skill set. He is very fast as well and should be looked at by anyone at any level! 4.56 40 time and a true leader!
Update-
‘“Lately I have had contact from Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Princeton, and Penn.. My GPA is a 3.7 and I think that is going to be good enough to get me in the IVY LEAGUE. These schools are saying the want me and are working out financial options to get school paid for. I am running Track where I am sprinting the 100 Meters. My best 40 time is a 4.5 and I should be 6’1” and 195 lbs when the season starts. We are making another Championship run so we work all the time on throwing and our routes as well as the weight room. I am excited for the season as well!”
Jake LaCoste- West Albany HS RB – OR- 5’10”- 200 lbs – 2014
Offers– Air Force
Our Take- A 2nd team All American last year Jake is an amazing playmaker. Speed, Power, and Stamina are the name of this guys game. You’re not going to stop him. Proof of that was his 3,077 yards and 38 TD’s in 2012 averaging 11.1 yards per carry. Think about that one while you watch his film.
Update- “Currently I am participating in track. In track this year I am working on my speed mostly, butI will also be high jumping, long jumping, triple jumping and shot put. I will probably also trydiscus and javelin and maybe some 110 hurdles. Today I hit a new personal best in the high jump by clearing 6’8”. I can’t wait for our first track meet. My training right now includes waking up at 5:45 to lift weights from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.; then school all day then track practice from 3:00 to 5:00. I’m keeping this routine Monday through Friday while balancing school and homework. My core classes include physics, ap composition, and pre-calculus. It can be challenging to get everything done. I took the SAT a week ago, and have a good feeling about it, but I plan on taking it again before the end of the school year; maybe a couple times. This week I’m going to Cal’s Junior Day to start my spring break. I’m disappointed because I’ll be missing Arizona States Junior day, which is on the same day but I can only be in one place at a time.”
Jarius McDade- O’Dea HS Linemen- WA- 6’3”- 295 lbs – 2014
Offers- Idaho
Our Take – Jarius is a low leverage super star. Quick Feet, Powerful frame, and a young man who knows how to finish. The Irish have had some good D-linemen and this guy is another one. Love his personality too. He and Griffin are 1-2 in the D Tackle Group!
Update-
“I’ve been talking to UW and Arizona St. As Well as WSU. I’ll be going to Idaho’s Jr day too. I do about 4 hrs of lifting after school. As well as speed training on Mondays and Thursdays. Saturdays me and a group of friends go and condition and do field work. I’m in track and field right now and I’m throwing the shot put. To maintain all this is a Little challenging but very fun!”
Austin Holmes- Eagle Point – OR- TE/DE- 6’5” 240 lbs- 2014
Offers– None Yet
Our Take- Joining Us from Down I-5 just a little North of Medford is Austin Holmes. This big rangy kid will be a hot commodity- Believe me. When the scouts and coaches see this kid moving around the way he does anything can happen. He is big and agile. His brother Tyrone is at Montana and the Grizzlies, Vikings, and ASU Sun Devils are moving on this guys film! We welcome Austin into the CTD Family!
Update-
“Nothing is new as far as recruiting goes. Right now I’m doing track. I am in an athletic conditioning class and I plan to start working out after my track practices soon. It is definitely a struggle to try and balance all this with school. I just try to stay organized and do the best I can.”
Isaiah Brandt-Sims- Wenatchee HS – 5’11”- 185 lbs- RB/ DB/ Safety 2014
Offers – UW, SMU, Wyoming, CSU, Harvard, Idaho, ASU
Our Take- Major offers keep rolling in for the speedy kid from East of the Cascades. This season he should finally be the guy with the ball in his hands. He could easily go 2,500 yards. And 2nd astest kid in the US with a 6.64 indoor 60 M time. An amazing talent! He has already run a 10.62 100 M and it is not even warm yet. Big enough to play big time football and fast enough to win Pac 12 Track Meets! WOW!
Update-
“I just got some letters from LSU, Wisconsin, and a few hand written letters from Yale. Also I have started talking to the Boise State recruiter coach. I am planning on going to watch one of UW’s spring practices. During spring break I’ll be going to UCLA’s junior day and I’ll be going to watch one of their spring practices too. As far as my training regimen I’m running in track right now and lifting three days a week. Almost everything I do are things getting me ready for football at the next level. I just took the SAT for the second time, I’m hoping to get get close to 1800. I hit a 10.62 100 Meter already this season and that ties my best PR and it si still early.”
Mack Hopkins – Connell High School – 6’5”- 300 lbs Linemen- 2014
Offers- None Yet
Our Take- BIg Mack is a standout linemen we saw win a state title as a 10th grader. The kid can really finish blocks. He is from the small wheat farming town of Connell where football means everything most of the year. Can he make it? We believe he will.
Update-
“Hey Dirk I have been sent a lot of informational letters from ASU, WSU, Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Idaho. Right now I am doing track but i have only had one meet. During track practice we do some cardio and we lift. Monday I lift after track depending on if we lift for practice. Tuesday 6am morning lift then I lift during practice. Wednesday after practice I lift too depending on if I lift for practice. Thursday at 6am I lift then for practice. Friday lift during practice. Saturday & Sunday rest days. I have to work super hard at doing all my activities because I am in ASB, FFA, FBLA and so they are keeping me busy throughout the week plus my sports and lifting so it takes a lot outta me and by 10 o’clock after homework and home family time I am exhausted”
Marcus Griffin – Bellevue High School- Linemen – 6’3”- 285 lbs. 2014
Offers- Wyoming, Idaho, WSU, Colorado State
Our Take- Marcus was first seen at the 2012 NW Elite Sports Camp (Gesser Camp) where he was a standout among the older class. At 6’3″- 285 lbs this monstrous athlete can swallow up RB’s and QB’s with a single move. He is a hot recruit with Pac 12 offers in hand. One of the most commanding linemen on the West Coast this season bar none.
Update-
“Recently Wyoming and Idaho offered me. But Cal is close to offering just waiting on my transcript to get passed by their academic counselors. I was told by Coach Butch a few new schools are starting to surface. My daily routine is the same Monday-Friday. School starts at 8:15. I finish school at 3. Then head over to Impact Strength and Performance for a 3:30 workout. Once finished there I head to Bellevue High School for our team weights session. Starts at 5 and ends at 6:30. Once that’s done head home, shower and do my homework. I take weekends off except for Saturday morning we have player practice at 10 am until about 12 12:30. Then once we’re done some of players hang out and just have fun with each other.”
E’Lon Mack – Heritage High School- Wide Receiver – Athlete – 6’1”- 185 lbs 2014
Offers– None Yet
Our Take- Mack had almost 800 yards and averaged 25 yards plus per catch. He is Electric, Dynamic, and physical. There is a toughness about Mack that you want in a top WR. Should be a top 2-3 WR in the NW this season. Star power kid right here. And man he rocks the Bat Man Gear where ever he goes. An Air One Football Camp product- Thank You John Charles!
Update-
“Recruiting for me right now is busy! I have a bunch of things in the mail from schools like, Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Missouri, WSU, and ASU. I also got invited to the Boise State spring camp. Right now I do little morning things with Loren, my QB, still working on routes. But my routine Monday through Sunday is Track Practice or meets and weight room. My bench is at 235 lbs, squat 375, and clean 205 so far and they are all rising every week and still keeping my speed up. Ran a 11.13 in first meet this year. It’s feeling good”
Dylan Donohue- Lakewood High School – 6’1”- 275 lbs- Linemen – 2014
Offers- None Yet
Our Take- MVP of Stan Brock’s Trench Camp against a loaded bunch of guys. This power house kid is technically sound and explosive to boot. Projects well as a guard or NT/DT. Anything is possible when Dylan enters the field and we can not wait to see him play again.
Updates-
“Latest in recruiting for me is that I have been invited to the Montana and Princeton Jr days, along with a invite to a WSU spring practice or spring game. Right now our coaches have us in a building phase, so we are trying gain as much lean mass as possible. I lift Monday through Friday after school with the team, but with an option to lift Wednesday to Friday in the mornings before school. This year I am not participating in a spring sport but more focusing on the upcoming football season and school.”
Kaleb McGary – Fife High School – 6’8”- 270 lbs- TE / Linemen 2014
Rivals 4 Star
Offers- ASU, CAL, Nebraska, Oregon, OSU, WSU, UW, UTAH
Our Take- Kaleb McGary is a 4 Star major D-1 recruit who began his ride with us a year ago as we covered his very first camp. WIth 9 Majors in hand he is among the leaders in the region for offers next to Bellevue’s Budda Baker and Devante Downs. So big and so agile. He would love to be a Tight End but knows too that O-Tackle is where most people see him playing both Saturday and Sunday. The kid is a hard working young man who simply gets it done. Wow! Thanks again to John Charles at Air One for Coaching this guy up and to Ryan Paul for training Kaleb too!
Updates-
“There isn’t a ton of new stuff as far as recruiting goes. I mean I’m getting letters from places like Alabama, Florida State, and Tennessee , getting attention from the East Coast but just letters is all really. I’ll be lifting at least five days a week during preseason Workouts will incorporate cardio and utilize a lot of cross training. Monday through Sunday is the same; basically the same Every day. I’m working on getting a job here in Fife. I’ll be working at least 3 days a week and I am lifting and doing homework, trying to help out at home, just living the grind boss. I’m doing my best to manage it all and prioritize, but I’m not willing to get too worked up about it, there’s no use worrying about the “if’s” of life.”
Jordan Morgan – Southridge High School- 6’2”- 200 lbs- WR – Athlete – 2014
Offers- San Jose State
Our Take– What you may not know is the quality if person this kid is. He is amazing. On the football field this kid has quick twitch reaction time mixed with real speed and size. San Jose State may be a perfect fit and they offered but it is of so early. He has Pac 12 ability. We see him being a leader on both sides and special teams this year.
Updates-
“Just been keeping in contact with coaches and at this point I’m working harder than I ever have before because signing day is just getting closer and closer and in the process I’m trying to make my teammates get there school payed for!”
Devante Downs- Mountlake Terrace High School -WA- 6’3”- 235 lbs 2014
4 Star Rivals Prospect
Offers- ASU, BSU, CAL, CSU, Oregon State, UTAH, Vanderbilt, UW, WSU, Stanford, Cal, Arizona
Our Take- Now with 11 Offers this young man has shown that he has the unique combination of size and speed that few others have. He has a very bright future and as we move ahead in the series he has the confidence to know he can reach all his Dreams! He is on the All American Watch list and should be a US Army All American. Best Big Back in the West!
Updates-
“Today I got offered by Stanford. I spoke with the running backs coach Pritchard and he let me know that the whole staff watched my film and loved it and they were offering me. I’m in track and doing the 200m and going to start up going to my personal trainer again which helps me with speed and explosion. Practice 4-5x a week for track.”
Nick Mitchell – Mt Si HS- WA – Quarterback – 6’2”- 185 lbs 2014
Offers- Oregon State
Our Take-Widely regarded as a top QB in the Region Nick is coming off a really big 2012 campaign that saw his team come close to going all the way. He had 2,350 yards, 37 TD’s. He was First Team All King Co. A great arm, accurate, and he is smart. What can and will he do to stand out and get his shot? Stay tuned and find out first hand!
Updates- Nick had a Hall Mark week grabbing his first major offer and solidifying himself as a Top D1 QB. Oregon State offered him a full ride and want him to come join Beaver Nation! He has been throwing and lifting nearly 7 days a week. Nick trains with Steve Gervais and Hugh Millen in the Seattle areas; two of the top QB Coaches in the Nation! His Mt Si team also won the NW Elite Sports 7 on 7 4 week tournament. Nick is so good! We congratulate him and you can catch the feature we wrote here.
Liam Talty – Sheldon High School- OR- 6’4”- 225 lbs Line backer – Athlete 2014
Offers- None Yet
Our Take- A rising star and State Champion. An Instinctual athlete in a big lean frame who explodes off the ball and closes on opponents. WIll be an OLB or walk up Defensive End and is just getting his recruitment going! Terrific Prospect!
Updates-
“I have been receiving generic letters from ASU fairly frequently for a while now and today I received a letter from Boise St. saying they would like me to go to their camp and a letter from the coach. I have also been talking to Harvard and Columbia a little bit. I’ve had a quick talk with a coach from both of those teams. Other than that I don’t have much, I have been sending out my highlights and filling out questionnaires to try and spark an attraction to myself from other colleges.
In terms of my training regimen i have been working pretty hard to try and better myself for next year. Sheldon has a good off-season football workout class that I go to every morning at 7:15 before school, where we either lift or go outside and do stations of various workouts. After school i have track every day where i do sprint workouts. Those workouts include lots of interval type things along with bleachers, lunges, strides, etc. I workout sometimes on Saturdays, either running or lifting, but generally the weekend is my resting period. Sunday is always lazy day and usually full of unfinished homework.“
Cole McGinnis- Gooding High School- Idaho – 6’5”- 270 lbs – 2014
Offers- None Yet
Our Take- The Boys in Oregon and Washington that play the line positions better keep an eye on this guy because he could steal the Thunder. Or at least take his share. An absolute Beast of a kid with no Facebook and nothing but power and character to bring to a team! BSU, UW, WSU, and other are moving in.
Updates- Cole was featured in a story at NorthwestPrepReport.com and at Washington Preps and he had 7 colleges call his Coach the next day. Those schools that had been recruiting him got way more intense in their interest. Maybe they thought the small school kid was going to be a secret. But not any more. BSU, Stanford, WSU, UW, Idaho, and BYU as well as UTAH are all moving in. This kid is a Beast and we have a special connection to him through out chance meetings last season. This week he leaves Idaho for the FBU Camp in California where he is sure to face some tough competition! His first offer seems eminent.
Check Out his story and film right here!
Asan Neil-Evergin Timberline HS-WA- 5’8”- 170 lbs RB / Athlete 2014
Offers– None Yet
Our Take–Nike Camp MVP from 2012 at RB and a young man who will get a load of carries this season at Timberline. Great speed, vision, and determination. Can he move on to the next level? All signs say yes. A hard working student athlete looking to land his first offer; like most kids.
Updates-
Recruiting News – “My transcripts have been requested from head coach of football from Yale and I have been invited to come out to a spring practice and camp. I have received a few letters from SDSU, not saying anything about recruiting, but but more like showing interest by sending pictures and info on the school and team to me. Utah has sent me more letters as well. I am very active w/ ASU and WSU as of now. On April 6th, I will be personally attending a spring ball practice for WSU. And from the Junior Day, me getting one on one talk with Coach Mastro was amazing, being able to learn the offense in less than an 2hrs was pretty impressive from just watching film. Coach Mastro (RB coach) of WSU said he will stay in contact with me when he able to do so. Have been receiving many letters from University of Memphis and Colorado State. The ASU coach with still be coming out to see/talk me in the spring. Northern Illinois University’s head Coach Rod Carey is has informed me and I’m sure the other recruits that spring practices are right around the corner and is hoping to have us attend to any one of them. NAU has also been in contact with our head coach Nick Mullen about 3 players on our team and seems to have a strong interest in 2 of us. I haven’t received word back from Harvard coach, Jon Poppe, on the personal written letter from congratulating me on success in San Antonio, but definitely hoping to hear from him soon by April.”
Preseason: “As of right now, developing a faster speed is playing a major part in my workouts that I do on my own and at track practice. I have been training hard on footwork and speed and being a versatile player, practicing on CB and WR as well as RB. But before all the workouts everyday on the schooldays, I stay after for an hr or a little bit more to work on my online classes and make sure my grades are where they are needed to be and as of right now, my GPA for this semester is a 3.4 and last semester a 3.0 so I am very pleased with how things are going. I am planning to keep this up and moving forward, so as far as grades go, I will be on straight line and can focus even more on becoming a faster,bigger, and better athlete.”
Kimane Domena- Roosevelt HS Oregon- 6’2”- 195lbs – QB – 2015
Offers- BYU, CSU, PSU,
Our Take- A Roosevelt Rough Rider on the rise! Kimane Domena may be the Top QB in the West for 2015. He went for 2500 yards and 38 TD’s as a 10th grader. That is only scratching the surface of what is possible with this top guy who has offers from BYU and Colorado State, and PSU already.
Updates-
Kimane has been busy. The youngster comes in as the hottest QB in the State of Oregon with offers from BYU and Colorado State and last week travelled to PSU with his team and his Coaches. Four of the Rough Riders landed offers in one day last week and KImane was one of them. The kid is such a superb athlete. He is fighting like most kids to balance school, his personal life, and all the pressure that comes with being a D1 QB as a 10th grader. He can be an All American if he continues like this and that is no joke. We spoke by phone briefly and he is encouraged at all the interest he has generated and very happy for his team mates. More coming soon!
AJ Hotchkins – Tigard High School – Oregon – 6′- 225 lbs – RB /ATH – 2014
Offers- Idaho
Our Take- A physical beast AJ has a very unique skill set. He is muscular beyond compare, has a lower center of gravity, great top end speed, and long arms. He generates a lot of power and is the #1 lead blocker in the Region. AJ Can catch passes, finish runs, and is crazy weapon as a Linebacker. Some lucky school recruiting wisely is going to land a blue chip kid here.
Updates- AJ is just an amazing athlete. Some say there are fewer and fewer opportunities for a massive power back like AJ. But his first offer came in a week or so ago and he is excited to have a chance to move on and carry the football for Idaho. The Vandals want him and offered the full ride. He is a weight room monster and his physical gifts are crazy. So it was no surprise when he got the offer. His film is explanation enough. All you have to do is watch this kid block, catch, run, and score and you will get it too. He has other schools hovering in and is going to be on the camp circuits soon enough! Way to go AJ.
Travante Robinson – Jackson HS- WA. RB/ ATH 2014
Offers- None Yet
Our Take- Young man has the WOW Factor. He can really move. Watch his film and you will see a playmaker with big time potential. Could project at any level with a little more size coming into the season.
Updates-
“The latest recruiting is A visit from Aaron Best from Eastern Washington, the NW Elite Football Camp (Jason Gesser Camp), and I’m expected to meet a few recruiters. My workout M-F, is lift weights, work on cardio, and eat and rest., I work to increase speed, so Track n Field is what I do. I swim to help increase my speed too.”
JOIN OUR NW PREP SPORTS FAMILY ON FACE BOOK AND CATCH ALL THE ACTION ALL SEASON LONG
TWITTER IS LIVE AT NWPR! TWEET US AND JOIN US
