Brant Botill
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BarkBoard.com Publisher
Posted Jun 7, 2008
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One of the premier individual camps in the West kicks off Saturday in the San Joaquin Valley. The Fresno State Individual Skills & Technique Camp is primarily a teaching camp. Nonetheless, the camp gives FS coaches a first hand look at some of the top Bulldog recruits. Past attendees rave about the coaching, atmosphere, and of course the hitting…
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The Fresno State individual camp is more important than ever this season. The NCAA passed legislation that prohibited college head coaches from visiting high schools during the spring evaluation period. Therefore, Saturday will likely be the first time Coach Pat Hill will see some of the top FS recruits.
The camp is also unique because it is one of the few individual camps with contact. This is not a "beauty pageant" where the blue chippers can separate themselves from the pack. It is a hands-on equal affair with every player in full pads. The rising freshmen will get as much attention as the highly touted rising seniors.
Here are a few of the prospects BB.C expects to see standout this weekend.
Travis Brown – The four-star prospect is the No. 11 rated SLB in the nation according to Scout.com. He is the son of the Bulldogs Defensive Coordinator Dan Brown and the ‘Dogs top recruiting target. He holds offers from Fresno State, Arizona, Washington State, Colorado, Boise State and Nevada.
Ben Bowen – Bowen was one of the top performers at last weekend’s UnderArmour/Scout.com L.A. Combine, narrowly missing being named MVP. Fresno State can always use speed, and Bowen ran the fastest forty (4.43) last week in L.A. He holds offers from Portland State and Cornell.
Brant Botill – Botill is a camp workhorse. He was at the Stanford Nike Camp in mid-May. Last week he was at the UA/Scout.com L.A. Combine, and next week he will compete at the UA/Scout.com Oakland Combine. While he has been a consistent performer, he is at his best in pads. This weekend could be his to shine. He is currently awaiting his first offer. Fresno State, Nevada, Utah State, Washington State, Oregon State, and San Diego State among others are recruiting him.
Daniel Cox – Cox is the classic tweener. He is little short to play LB and little slow to play safety. The same was said about former Bulldog LB Marcus Riley coming out of high school. Cox ran a 4.7 forty last weekend at the UA/Scout.com L.A. Combine, but his best time is in the 4.6 range. His father, Nathan Cox, tells us, “Daniel is anxious to get out there [to hit someone].” Cox currently has no offers, but FS, Cal, UConn, Washington, Washington State, Oregon, and Northwestern are showing interest.
Stefphon Jefferson – He is the most intriguing prospect at this weekend’s camp. Jefferson played mostly fullback, but he can motor in the open field. In addition, he showed BB.C he could catch the ball at the Stanford Nike Camp. Now, we want to see him hit. FS, Boise State, Hawaii, BYU, Duke, and Miami Ohio are recruiting him.
Jeremy Bethell – You cannot coach size, and Bethell is a mountain. At 6-5, 321 lbs, he will be the biggest prospect at this weekend’s camp. He is making the switch to RT from DT this season, and this will be his first contact camp as an offensive prospect. “He receives stacks of letter each day,” his mother Kim Bethell told BB.C. He has no early favorites but says he likes USC and Alabama. “We’re trying to get him into Fresno State,” said Kim.
Stay with BarkBoard.com for recaps, photos, and video from this weekend’s camp.
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