Fresno State has offered well over 20 high school junior prospects scholarships. From four-star blue chip receiver Kenny Stills to former Bulldog assistant coach John Settle's son, running back Leighton Settle, Coach Pat Hill is spreading the wealth.
Nonetheless, Hill has not forgotten the bread and butter of the program, Central Valley high school standouts.
Hill High on Flowers
Defensive lineman Wesley Flowers wanted to use the event to show people he’s one of the top defensive linemen in California.
“I see some good competition out there. It’s a good place to be and push myself out here and show I’m one of the best in the state,” Flowers said.
The Fresno (Calif.) Edison High School prospect recently got a chance to speak with a local college football coach in the Central Valley.
“Pat Hill called about a week in a half ago,” Flowers said. “He wants me to come into the program and says that I’ll be a good contributor to the team.”
But the Bulldogs aren’t the only place where the 6-4, 250 pound lineman can potentially continue his football career. The PAC-10 and even the Ivy League has drawn interest in the defensive tackle.
“I got an offer from Washington. I got some close offers from Cal, UCLA, Stanford, Arizona State and some Ivy League schools Brown, Harvard and Princeton,” Flowers said.
Flowers doesn’t want to rush into things though as he prepares for his senior year with the Edison Tigers.
“I want to wait until the end when its signing day,” Flowers said. “I want to stay on the West Coast, maybe in the state of California, but there’s no telling.”
Two Standing Out for South Valley Athlete
Tulare (Calif.) Union safety Edward Dillihunt wanted to better his running times by using the combine. Dillihunt admits he’s had issues with using his hips in changing direction when running the shuttle run and “L” drill. He was also looking to better himself from the previous high school combine he took part of.
“I just want to make my times better,” Dillihunt said. “That way, when colleges look at me, they see me as a better athlete than what they saw at the [Scout.com] Oakland Combine. I’m just trying to participate with these athletes and if I can compete with them, I can compete with the best.”
Fresno State and Washington State seem to be drawing the most interest in Dillihunt right now.
“They offered me a full ride,” Dillihunt said. “I’m just keeping my options open, I still have a lot of time to play and I still have a whole year. I’m just waiting to see what opportunities come at the end.”
Yates Keeping Options Open
Edison defensive lineman Rakeem Yates wanted to get more offers, which was why he joined his teammate Flowers at the Scout Combine.
“I just want to use today with the best of my abilities,” Yates said. “Right now, I don’t have too many offers, but I’m sure that will change if I keep performing at these combines.”
Even though Fresno State has offered him a scholarship, Yates remains skeptic about where he wants to go after high school.
“I’m not really sure right now,” Yates said. “I want to weigh my options and find the best opportunity.”
Wilson Blowing Up
Tulare Union wide receiver Marquess Wilson wasn’t too thrilled with his performance at the combine. He placed the blame on the cloudy and misty weather conditions.
“Its kind of cold so muscles are tight,” Wilson said. “So its kind of hard to get a very good time. So I’m just trying to pull it out. I’m not really used to this weather. I’m from Tulare.”
Even though the weather may have slowed Wilson, it hasn’t stopped him from getting five colleges to draw an interest in the 6-4, 170-pound receiver.
“I got five offers: Fresno State, Arizona State, UNLV, Washington State and Nevada.” Wilson said. “I want to play in the PAC-10. I’m looking to Washington State. They’re a real family community, its like a college atmosphere, everybody’s family so everybody’s close. So if I got a problem I can go to somebody.”
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