5 Players To Watch

JimmyClausen
Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
QUARTERBACK, 6'3", 208, Sr.

Hailed asCalifornia's best prep quarterback since John Elway in 1977, Clausen is ratedthe No. 1 recruit in the class of 2007 by Rise Magazine. The younger brother oftwo former Tennessee QBs, Casey and Rick, Jimmy has a strong arm and a quickrelease. After throwing for 7,306 yards and 97 touchdowns--with only 14interceptions--in his first three seasons, he committed to Notre Dame inApril.

MarvinAustin
Ballou (Washington, D.C.)
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN, 6'3", 300, Sr.

Near impossibleto stop one-on-one, he's the top defensive player in the class of '07. Playingfor Coolidge last season--he transferred to crosstown Ballou in June--Austinhad 80 tackles (12 for loss, eight sacks and five forced fumbles). Schools he'sconsidering: Miami, USC, Florida State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Maryland,Virginia, Tennessee, N.C. State and North Carolina.

Noel Devine
North Fort Myers (Fla.)
RUNNING BACK, 5'8", 180, Sr.

He's a highschool version of Barry Sanders: a compact, highlight-video talent withstop-on-a-dime cutback ability that makes would-be tacklers look foolish. Thenation's top running back and No. 2 overall recruit, Devine rushed for 1,933yards and 24 touchdowns last season. His short list: USC, Nebraska, Florida,Florida State, LSU and Miami.

Caleb King
Greater Atlanta Christian (Norcross, Ga.)
RUNNING BACK, 5'11", 200, Sr.

With his blend ofspeed (4.32 seconds in the 40), power and versatility, he calls to mindLaDainian Tomlinson. Last year at Parkview High in Lilburn, Ga. (he transferredearlier this month), King rushed for 2,768 yards--the sixth-best total inGeorgia high school history--and scored 19 touchdowns. Scholarship offers he'smulling: Auburn, Georgia, Notre Dame, USC, LSU, Tennessee and VirginiaTech.

A.J. Green
Summerville (S.C.)
WIDE RECEIVER, 6'4", 180, Jr.

He's the leadingrecruit in the class of 2008 and the nation's best wideout right now. His blendof size and speed has drawn comparisons to Randy Moss. Last year Green caught75 passes for 1,422 yards and 16 touchdowns, after hauling in 57 for 1,217yards and eight scores as a freshman.

PHOTO

JOHN DAVID EMMETT/THE NEWS PRESS

North Fort Myers RB Noel Devine