WSFL Combine Showcases Top Players (Part 1)

JCFootball.com wrapped up its 2002 Junior College Football Combines on May 18 at Scottsdale CC. All but two of the athletes represented schools in the WSFL, a conference that regularly produces All-Americans. There's a good chance that several participants at this inaugural combine will vie for such honors next fall. This article is part one in a series, which profiles prospects to watch.

Many of the nation's top four-year schools recognize the talent in this conference and recruit it heavily. WSFL alums dot rosters in just about every conference in the nation and made an impact last year:

• BYU featured TE Spencer Nead (Ricks) and WR/KR Reno Mahe (Dixie)
• Cal got good PT early in the year from DE Josh Gustaveson (Snow)
• Mississippi State relied heavily on DL Khalil Nash (Arizona Western)
• Florida's interior defensive line was helped by DT Bryan Savelio (Mesa)
• The passing attack at Kentucky was bolstered by the play of WR Aaron Boone (Snow)
• Jarad Preston (Eastern Arizona) handled the punting duties at East Carolina
• Wyoming got a huge boost from the play of DE Josh Rollins (Snow)
• QB Marc Dunn (Ricks) alternated at QB for Kansas State and may start this fall.

And, of course, the class of 2001 / 2002 was filled with potential stars like RB Rashad Armstrong (Mesa; Baylor), DT Scott Young (Dixie; BYU), RBs Preston Portee and Jamil Porter (N Mexico Military; both signed with Tulsa), TE Matt Walters (Scottsdale; Michigan State), and so on.

Universities representing the SEC, Pac-10, Mountain West, WAC, Big 12, and Big Sky conferences showed up at the JCFootball.com WSFL Combine seeking to evaluate guys they've been watching -- and to discover new names.

This is PART ONE in a series of articles highlighting athletes from specific schools.

SNOW IN ARIZONA

Snow College was well represented despite the fact Ephraim, Utah is a nine-hour haul from Scottsdale. The seven attendees (at right) arrived after an all-day drive; slept in their cars; grabbed breakfast; and showed up for registration at 8:30am.

Photo ( Left to right): WR James Fountaine, TE Brandon Preece, LB Chas Ryan, WR AJ Smith, TE Andy Stokes, QB Paul Peterson, WR Benjamin Anderson

This alone was quite a feat, but then they had to work out for four hours in 100-degree heat! If all the players on Snow's 2002 squad are this dedicated then watch out for the Badgers come fall.

QB W. Paul Peterson
6-0, 175
Snow College
December Grad

It was nice to see last year's top WSFL passer, W. Paul Peterson (6-0, 175), register for and compete at the combine. The Snow College signal caller passed for over 2000 yards and showed that he could hurt opponents with his feet, too.

Snow headman Jeff Kilts feels that Peterson is going to enjoy another nice season. "He's a great leader. Part of the problem at the beginning of last season was his inexperience. When he started his first game he was seven weeks off a LDS mission. Now he knows the offense, makes reads, and knows where the receivers need to be," said Kilts. "Paul is a good athlete who rushed for over 300 yards in 2001, too."

Peterson jumped 28.5" in the vertical test and put up 13 reps at 225. He also had a nice 4.24 shuttle, which illustrates his athleticism to a degree.

TE Brandon Preece
6-3 1/2, 270
Snow College
December Grad

There were several 'sleepers' at the combine and Snow College TE Brandon Preece was one of them. Four-year schools in attendance were impressed with his combination of size and athleticism. The same could be said for coaches on opposing WSFL teams.

"Preece is a great prospect for us. He's only a one-for-one kid, though. There's a chance a D1 would take him for one year, but he probably wants to play his two years -- a real steal for some D2," said Snow head coach Jeff Kilts. There's a chance Preece could be moved to offensive tackle at the next level.

Preece's combine performance was solid as he ran good routes during one-on-ones, ran a 4.86 forty, and put up 225 a total of fourteen times.

TE Andy Stokes 6-5, 225 Snow College December Grad It's a little unfair, perhaps, but Snow College showed off two top-flight tight ends at the combine. Andy Stokes (6-5, 225) doesn't have the bulk of Preece, but he is very athletic and is an adequate blocker. He might remind some WSFL fans of former Snow wide receiver Aaron Boone, who registered 400 receiving yards at Kentucky last year. "Stokes played behind another guy last year, Boyd Clyde, who had a similar build," said Kilts. "At the next level he might play WR if it's in the right system. He would fit in well on a team like Louisville where they throw it a ton." It looks like Kentucky has already lined up a trip for Stokes and they may offer a scholarship. Stokes ran a 4.8 forty and put up 225 pounds eleven times. He also leaped 26 inches in vertical jump testing. It's worth mentioning that both Preece and Stokes will be competing with Seth Hammond for the starting spot(s). Hammond, who is about 6-2 1/2, 250, was the starter two years ago, but sat out 2001 for academic reasons.
LB Chas Ryan 6-2, 233 Snow College December Grad If there's one player who really helped himself by attending the combine it was Snow linebacker, Chas Ryan. He began last year at strong safety, but was moved to OLB where he backed up several good players. "Chas started the last game for us last year," said Kilts. "He plays really well in space. He will knock your head off, too. I see him being a big recruit for us next year." During combine testing he did nineteen reps at 225, ran a 4.8 forty, and amazed everyone with a 4.2 shuttle. Schools such as Oregon, Arizona State, Oregon State, and Louisiana State are already taking an interest in Ryan.
WR A.J. Smith 5-11 1/2, 168 Snow College December Grad Snow wideout A.J. Smith was the Badgers' second leading receiver last fall with approximately 47 catches. He started at slot last season and is described by Kilts as a tough receiver with excellent hands. "Smith doesn't drop many balls. And he's a great route runner, who gets himself open," said Kilts. "He's faster than the guy we had last year, Chad Mickelson (Toledo signee), and better on the get off. But Smith is a little shorter, which is why he plays in the slot. Expect him to get about 47 catches again. Some four-year will get a jewel in Smith because he catches so well." Combine forty: 4.59; Shuttle: 4.42 WR James Fountaine 6-1 1/2, 200 Snow College December Grad He didn't get a chance to show it during the combine, but Fountaine is an excellent punt returner. That's in addition to his receiving skills.. Coach Kilts says that Fountaine led the conference in PRs and was in the wide receiver rotation. He put up 185 pounds sixteen times and vertical jumped 26.5 inches at the combine . "In the right system he could be a D1 player. That's based on receivers we've had here before," said Kilts, who knows a thing or two about the position. Apparently, every WR from Snow in recent years who wanted to move has received a D1 scholarship. Some guys, like BJ Flores last year, gave up football for other things. Flores is focusing on boxing and is one of the nation's best in his weight class. WR Ben Anderson 6-1 1/2, 180 Snow College December Grad According to Kilts, Anderson is probably Snow's fastest player going into the fall. "His time at the combine (4.67) is not indicative of his speed. Anderson is head and shoulders faster than (A.J.) Smith." Anderson ran a 4.4 shuttle and benched 185 pounds sixteen times.
Part Two of our WSFL Combine series will showcase the talented players from Glendale CC. Note our 'cover boy,' who is safety Eric Wright from Glendale.

Check out JCFootball.com to get further inside junior-college prospects.