DJ Shoemate makes me happy...

Now that I have gotten that out of the way. I want to get started with the stuff I actually care about: RECRUITING.

There is no better place for me to start than to start spewing about who I think should be the No. 1 player in the nation for the class of 2008. Yes, Terrelle Pryor is a freakin stud. 6-6 230 lbs QB who glides when he runs? Vince Young you say? Just hold on a minute. Vince Young has a cannon. He does not always know how to use it properly, but a very strong arm. Pryor's arm is not nearly as strong as VY's. Yes, he he looks like Vince when he runs and I love Pryor but maybe my favorite player in the nation this season is from Cali baby. (Ok, maybe Shoemate is No. 2 this season)

DJ Shoemate - Athlete, Servite High School (Anaheim, Ca)
Depending on who you talk to: 6-1, 218 lbs (USC commit)

To give you a break down on where he ranks with the big boyz:
Rivals: #22 overall
Scout: #41 overall
PrepStar: #12 overall
ESPN: #56 overall

Now, these rankings are low due to one thing and one thing only. Shoemate did not play his Jr. season due to injury (broken foot in the first game of the year). Sometimes, the kid is just too good. Ask the Chargers about Antonio Cromartie who just picked off Peyton Manning three times and he did not play a down of his last year at FSU. Injuries create doubt. Fo Sho.

I have none about DJ.

First, let me tell you that the most difficult area to evaluate about a 17-year old, pimply-faced kid is his mental maturity, whether that is leadership, intelligence or work ethic. Shoemate is the leader of his football team. He is well-spoken and worked hard off the field in the classroom during his injury to make sure he got into school.

On the field, he is Percy Harvin plus 3 inches and 30 pounds. His straight line speed may not be that of Harvins, but it is close. He is just as versatile. Is a game against Orange Lutheran DJ carried the ball 36 times for 242 yards and 3 scores. He also registered a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery (check out the video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=V-H1hjZQjUk ). Did I mention that he is listed as a wide receiver?

He has great ball skills, is not afraid to go over the middle, and can be used out of the backfield much like Percy Harvin is used. The difference? Percy just sat out the South Carolina game because he is injured. DJ is much bigger and thicker. The size-speed combo is unreal.

Percy was No. 1 in the nation by Rivals.com in 2006.