Prospects on Parade: Norcross-N. Gwinnett a talent showcase

It’s Friday afternoon and that means it’s almost time for “Friday Night Lights.”

There are a lot of good games are on tap tonight as far as getting a look at the best prospects in the city and state, none better than the North Gwinnett-Norcross game.

There will be a lot of attention on North Gwinnett’s JaWuan James since the big offensive tackle backed off his commitment to Alabama and reopened his recruitment last weekend. But the Bulldogs’ opponent has a few D-1 prospects of its own.

The Blue Devils’ high-powered offense is anchored by 6-foot-4, 265-pound tackle Max Garcia. Garcia has more than a dozen D-1 offers but appears to be garnering the most interest from and showing the most interest in Maryland, Clemson and Vanderbilt, according to coach Keith Maloof.

Another intriguing prospect for Norcross is tailback Delino DeShields Jr. DeShields, rushed for 803 yards on 83 carries for Woodward Academy last year before transferring to Norcross, has been somewhat held in check this season as the Blue Devils have stumbled out of the gate to a 1-2 record. But he has still managed 228 yards on 32 carries (7.1 ypc). He’s intriguing as a football prospect because,  like his famous baseball-playing father by the same name, the younger DeShields is of course a baseball prospect. He has five or six football offers, according to Maloof, including Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and Central Florida.

The Blue Devils have a wide receiver named Geremy Davis (thanks “AJC Fan”) those most intense recruitment is probably ahead of him. Louisiana-Monroe is his biggest offer so far but, with 16 catches for 300 yards, more are likely on the way. Memphis coaches will be on hand tonight. Another Norcross prospect turning heads is “athlete” Arius Wright. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder plays safety and wideout for the Blue Devils but it’s raw speed that is attracting attention. Maloof said he’s timeed him in the 4.3s. To date, only Tulane and Western Kentucky have offered.

Of course, No. 3-ranked North Gwinnett is brimming with talent, led by junior quarterback sensation C.J. Uzomah.

“They’re great on offense,” Maloof said. “They have those big ol’ tackles (James and Alabama commitment Austin Shephard), that quarterback and some good young backs. A very good team.”

Senior Cordero Dixon (6-0, 155) is a speedy wide receiver who is getting looks from mid-major schools.

Here are some other prospects and games to keep an eye out for over the weekend:

• RB Rajion Neal, Sandy Creek: There are many that have seen this kid play that think he might be one of the state’s best. The 5-11, 200-pound Mississippi State commitment has 353 yards and 7 TDs in three games this season. He had 138 yards and three TDs on only eight carries last week. He could put up some more big numbers tonight against Osborne.
• RB Clarence Jackson, North Clayton: Jackson actually played Thursday night as the Eagles rolled to a 27-0 win over Ola. Jackson rushed for 214 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns to bring his total for the season to 686 yards and 7 TDs. This 6-2, 220-pound athlete actually projected as a linebacker on most recruiting boards but committed to Ole Miss for the chance to compete at running back.
• South Gwinnett vs. Grayson: Exciting matchup feature the Comets’ wide-open, spread offense versus the Rams stingy defense. It’ll be interesting to follow the battle between South Gwinnett wide receiver Jonathan Krause, a Vanderbilt commitment, and BYU commitment DB Kori Gaines of Grayson. And can running backs Aaron Wimberly and Trevon Walker move the ball against the Rams’ formidable defensive front, led by DT Shawn Green, a Georgia Tech pledge? Don’t want to sit out in the rain to watch this? The game will be webcasted on the Grayson football website.

Other games to watch in the dry comfort of your own home:

• On CSS-TV: The Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS) Game of the Week is Mt. Zion vs. Griffin (7:30 tonight) and it features a bunch of young talent. CSS sportscaster Matt Stewart reports that Griffin has at least four juniors that are considered D-1 prspects — DE Xzavier Dixon, S Corey Moore, TE Tyrizes Turner and WR/CB Chandler Worthy. The Bears have a couple of pretty good seniors, too, in S Dontre Morris and DE Brandon Williamson. Mt. Zion boasts junior RB Quanterrio Morgan, who they say may be better than Marshall signee Martin Ward, and RB/CB Joshua King
• On ESPNU: ESPN has a doosie of a game lined up for its national broadcast at 10 p.m. EST tonight in Oaks Christian (Calif.) at Skyline (Wash.). Why should you care? The game features two great quarterbacks — Skyline’s Jake Heaps, a BYU commitment who is generally considered the best in the West, and Oaks Christian’s Nick Montana, a Washington commitment who is the son of NFL great Joe Montana. The Montanas visited UGA earlier this year.

Tell me where you’re going to be and who you want to see.