South L.A. football stars move to college arena
Shotgun Spratling | 2-4-2010 | Comments |

A national holiday for college football fans, National Signing Day came and went on Wednesday without too many surprises in South Los Angeles.

Six athletes from the area signed a National Letter of Intent to play collegiate football, while a handful of others could sign by the April 1 deadline. While there will be two Pac-10 receivers, the rest of the 2010 South L.A. class that signed will most likely make their mark defensively.

One of the highest rated prospects from the area, Santee’s Tevin Carter, signed with California. An athletic playmaker, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound wide receiver is a tall target but also one of the fastest players in the state having qualified for the state finals of the 100m and 200m as a junior.

Carter originally committed to Washington last spring but backed off his commitment after receiving offers from USC, Cal and other Pac-10 schools. As a senior, Carter led the Falcons to the four-year school’s first winning record (7-4) after catching 42 passes for over 1100 yards and eight touchdowns. He also starred on the defensive side of the ball tallying 84 tackles, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles.

Unlike Carter, Centennial wide receiver Kevin Smith and defensive back Gregory Ducre of Crenshaw both stuck with their commitments to play at Washington.

In only his second season playing football, Smith was named the Pioneer League MVP as he helped lead the Centennial Apaches to their first outright championship since 1960. A crossover athlete from basketball where he was named Pioneer League MVP during his junior season, Smith has raw athletic ability that has translated well to the gridiron.

Unlike some basketball players that crossover, Smith is not afraid of contact. He is an aggressive tackler, who could potentially switch to the defensive side if he continues to learn technique and how to read plays. While still a little rough around the edges, Smith’s athleticism make him a potential breakout athlete.

Ducre was a vital contributor to the Crenshaw squad that went 14-1, playing cornerback and wide receiver. He was the Cougars’ leading receiver in the CIF Open Division Bowl Game with 66 yards on five catches.

But Ducre is more likely to see time on the defensive side of the ball for Washington. Also a sprinter, Ducre was fast, aggressive, and capable of playing on an island at the high school level. His senior season finished with 60 tackles and four interceptions.

Another Crenshaw product that signed was fullback/linebacker Hayes Pullard, who will be staying in South Los Angeles to play in the Coliseum for USC. Pullard is one of the rare players with true potential to play on either side of the ball.

Pullard was a bruising force carrying the ball and blocking for Geoffrey Norwood and DeAnthony Thomas over the past two seasons. He rushed for nearly 1500 yards while averaging eight yards per carry and scored a combined 20 rushing touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons.

While capable of wearing down a defense at running back or fullback, it is likely the Trojans’ coaching staff will use him on defense where he has his best opportunity to become professional and where USC lacks depth.

Pullard only had 66 tackles and two sacks this past season as offenses honed in on blocking him due to his junior season successes. The heart of the ‘Shaw defense, in 2008, the thick-necked stone wall recorded 145 tackles with 26 tackles for loss and six sacks.

In a similar situation is Inglewood product Marcus Howard, whose collegiate position is still to be determined. The 6-foot-2, 254-pound tight end/defensive lineman signed with San Jose State after catching 15 passes for eight touchdowns his senior season.

But like the Crenshaw duo, Howard is more likely to find his home on the defensive side of the ball where he recorded 55 tackles and five sacks and could potentially play either defensive end or tackle.

The final South Los Angeles player to sign on National Signing Day was Dorsey’s speedy defensive back Charles Garrett, who created some excitement later in the day when it was announced he had switched from his verbal commitment with New Mexico State to sign his National Letter of Intent with Nevada, a conference rival of New Mexico State.

At 5-foot-11, Garrett has good size for a cornerback but comes out of his break well enough to potentially play safety. He also showed his ball-hawking skills his senior year intercepting four passes in the Dons’ first four games.

We will continue to bring you updates as more of your South Los Angeles athletes make their commitments.

Please e-mail sports writer Shotgun Spratling if you have any additional information or updates.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

Tags: football national signing day pac-10 shotgun spratling south los angeles