TJ Gaynor of Go Big Recruiting lists five players to keep an eye on for 2015:
QB Ricky Town (6-4, 205)
Ventura, Calif. (St. Bonaventure)
Committed to: USC
What Stands Out: Intangibles, quick release, mechanics
What Needs Development: Foot speed
What Happens Next: If he sticks with the Trojans, look for him to challenge for the starting nod in 2015.
WR George Campbell (6-5, 198)
Tarpon Springs, Fla. (East Lake)
Considering: Clemson, Florida, FSU, Michigan
What Stands Out: Size, explosiveness, ball skills, physicality, lower-half power
What Needs Development: Route-running
What Happens Next: Campbell is a huge, physical receiver who can make an impact on Day 1.
WR Calvin Ridley (6-1, 175)
Coconut Creek, Fla. (Monarch)
Considering: Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Miami, Tennessee
What Stands Out: Quickness, hand-eye coordination, technique, high football IQ
What Needs Development: Strength, acceleration
What Happens Next: This extremely savvy hands-catcher will contribute early.
ATH Derwin James (6-3, 185)
Haines City, Fla. (Haines City)
Committed to: Florida State
What Stands Out: Range, ball skills, instincts, open-field tackling
What Needs Development: Upper-body strength
What Happens Next: James could contribute early at wide receiver or free safety, but he may be best-suited as the center-field eraser in a Cover 3/1 scheme.
C Dominic Fredrickson (6-3, 295)
Oakley, Calif. (Freedom)
Considering: Cal, Arizona, UCLA
What Stands Out: Technique, lower-body strength, nastiness
What Needs Development: Hip flexibility
What Happens Next: Fredrickson is under the radar right now because he’s playing out of position at left tackle. A pure center, he has All-American potential at the next level.
— TJ Gaynor was a two-time All-Pac-10 offensive lineman at Stanford. During his time on the Farm, he played for a long list of great coaches, including Hall of Famer Bill Walsh. After tryouts with the 49ers and Lions, Gaynor spent time as a high school coach and analyst for Scout.com. He is Go Big Recruiting’s senior recruiting analyst.
