College Scouts Keeping an Eye on Talented South Bay Seniors

The list of South Bay football prospects does not begin and end with the cream of the crop.

While Curtis Conway, Perry Klein, Bob Whitfield, Morris Unutoa and Erik Simien represent the area’s most highly regarded prep seniors, they are not the only players drawing attention from major colleges.

Recruiters will closely watch the progress of many lesser-known prospects, some borderline, who have yet to convince scouts of their abilities.

The football factories of Carson and Banning each boast several prospects, indicating a possible repeat of last year when Carson led the state with eight college recruits and Banning had six.

But there are promising gridders throughout the South Bay, from the Palos Verdes Peninsula to Inglewood and from the beach cities to San Pedro.

Only time will tell who pans out and who flops.

Maybe scout Dick Lascola said it best: “There is always a kid who comes through that nobody counted on, and every year you rate someone high who does not come through.”

Following is an alphabetical list of South Bay seniors who have received recognition from scouting reports and/or football publications:

Darryl Brown, St. Bernard (6-0, 180, DB)--The Vikings’ fastest player, Brown runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. His size, speed and above-average grades make him a potential Division I recruit.

Anthony Cole, North Torrance (6-0, 165, WR)--G & W Recruiting of Pennsylvania rates Cole one of the top 11 wide receiver prospects in the Pac-10 area. He averaged nearly 20 yards per catch last season on his way to earning all-Bay League honors. North’s fastest player with 4.6 speed, Cole also excels at cornerback.

Carlson Leomiti, Banning (6-3, 310, DL)--Leomiti is one of several Pilots who showed up on various scouting reports. Super Prep magazine likes him, selecting him one of the top defensive line prospects in the Far West. He’s built like the Fridge, runs well for 10 yards and reportedly is working toward a 400-pound bench press. Said Super Prep: “This guy really fills up the doorway and is a solid 300.”

Andy Gonzales, Banning (6-4, 250, OL)--Plays guard on the same line with Whitfield, considered by some as the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in the nation. Despite playing in that shadow, Gonzales gets stellar marks for quick feet, technique and strength. Said a scout: “Will make a perfect guard in college.” His 3.0 grade-point average won’t hurt those chances.

Khybdeed Hairston, Gardena (5-10, 175, RB)--Hairston is the latest running back prospect from the school that produced Charles Webb (Arizona), Gaston Green (UCLA, Rams) and Brian Brown (UCLA) in the 1980s. He isn’t as fast as Green, but he broke Green’s longest-run-from-scrimmage record (94 yards) with a 96-yard jaunt. He is regarded as a versatile back who can catch and has a knack for finding holes.

Samila Manu, Carson (6-2, 215, DE)--Rated highly by both G & W Recruiting and scout Tom Lemming of Illinois, Manu ranked sixth on the team in tackles last season but might be switched to fullback. He runs the 40 in 4.7 and can bench press more than 300 pounds. An intense competitor who likes to mix it up, Manu also impresses with a 3.0 grade-point average.

Howard McCowan, Carson (6-1, 180, DB)--An aggressive player who reminds some of Ronnie Lott, McCowan was named to Super Prep’s all-Far West defense. Last season he had four interceptions and was in on 80 tackles, earning all-L.A. City 4-A and all-South Bay honors. His 4.6 speed is adequate, but his strength is going after the ball. Coach Gene Vollnogle says McCowan is the real thing. Or, as Super Prep put it: “This Howard ain’t no duck.”

John Morton, South Torrance (6-1, 185, WR)--No surprise here. Morton was a all-league performer for the Spartans last season, catching 46 passes for 857 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 4.6 speed and good hands earned him a place on California Football’s “Golden 50” list of the state’s top prospects and also high ratings from Houston-based scout Max Emfinger and G & W Recruiting. He was named to The Times all-South Bay second team last year.

Doug Nelson, St. Bernard (6-3, 210, LB)--Nicknamed the “Hit Man,” Nelson is not only a leader on the gridiron but also is student body president. Scouts like his quickness (4.7 speed) and tackling skills. He benches more than 300 pounds. Lemming and G & W Recruiting gave him high ratings. He is not related to Eric Nelson, St. Bernard’s all-CIF wide receiver who’s a freshman recruit at UCLA. Doug’s father played football at Arizona State.

Louis Perez, Carson (5-11, 170, PK)--As if Carson needs another prospect, the Colts also have the area’s best kicker. Perez connected on 9 of 12 field goals, including longs of 45 and 42 yards, and was 36 for 43 on extra points last season. He was named to the all-L.A. City 4-A team.

Spuds Powell, Palos Verdes (6-5, 205, TE)--Powell needs to fill out, but scouts like his growth potential and 4.7 speed. Coach Bill Judy says Powell has sure hands and also shines at outside linebacker. Good grades could take him to Stanford or Cal, two of his college favorites.

David Samperio, San Pedro (6-4, 250, DL)--Samperio earned a reputation as one of the area’s toughest men in the trenches last season by averaging 10 tackles a game. His size, speed (4.9) and strength (300-plus bench press) are reasons Lemming and G & W Recruiting rate him highly. Said Lemming: “Impossible to handle one-on-one. Very mobile.” A two-way lineman, Samperio was named to The Times all-South Bay second-team defense last season.

Errol Sapp, Carson (5-10, 170, RB)--Probably the South Bay’s top returning running back, Sapp rushed for a team-leading 871 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, averaging nearly a first down (9.37 yards) per carry. Those numbers are more impressive when you consider that he had 134 yards and a touchdown called back by penalties. He was named to California Football’s “Golden 50” and Super Prep gave him high marks for quickness and balance.

David Walsh, Palos Verdes (6-4, 215, QB-LB)--Scouts like his versatility. Walsh will never compile big passing stats at run-oriented Palos Verdes, but the left-hander has a strong arm and can run the option. Defense might be where he belongs, however. Known for his aggressiveness, Walsh lets it all hang out when he plays outside linebacker. He also punts.

Robbie White, El Segundo (6-2, 210, LB)--Considered one of the best athletes to ever pass through the small El Segundo program, White distinguished himself last season as one of the leaders of a fine defensive unit. Lemming, the super scout from Illinois, praises White as an aggressive tackler who “moves pretty good from sideline to sideline.” His 4.8 speed, 275-pound bench press and 3.3 grade-point average are pluses, too. He also plays baseball.

Dark Horse: Bryan Proby, Banning (6-5, 240, TE)--Although he missed most of last season because of academic ineligibility, Proby is considered a potential star by Coach Joe Dominguez. And his size indicates he is a potential recruit. Proby, a defensive lineman most of his career, was converted to tight end this summer in passing-league games. “He can catch,” Dominguez said. “We’ll find out if he can block.”