The Perfect 10
OFFENSE
TRAY ALLEN, OL
South Grand Prairie (Texas) Senior, 6'4", 305
Dominant as both a run and a pass blocker, Allen cleared the way for a rushingattack that gained more than 2,000 yards, and he didn't allow a sack. The Texasrecruit is a natural left tackle.
JIMMY CLAUSEN,QB
Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Senior, 6'3", 207
The nation's top recruit (he's going to Notre Dame) lived up to the hype,completing 68% of his passes for 2,342 yards, 33 TDs and one interception whileleading Oaks Christian to a 12--0 record.
DARREN EVANS,RB
Warren Central (Indianapolis)
Senior, 6'0", 210
The Virginia Tech--bound Evans led the nation with 37 TDs, and he had 15 morein four playoff games, taking Warren Central to its fourth straight statechampionship last Saturday.
JOE MCKNIGHT,RB/WR
John Curtis (River Ridge, La.), Senior, 6'0", 190
Arguably the country's most dangerous big-play threat, McKnight (SI, Nov. 20,2006) averaged 16.3 yards per carry and 35.9 yards per reception and scored 18TDs. McKnight leads the 13--0 Patriots into the Class 2A semifinals againstClinton (La.) on Friday.
MARC TYLER, RB
Oaks Christian
Senior, 6'0", 214
The versatile Tyler had 1,625 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns as wellas four TD catches. He also had a big year at linebacker, with two sacks andtwo interceptions.
DEFENSE
MARVIN AUSTIN,DL
Ballou (Washington, D.C.), Senior, 6'3", 300
The nation's No. 1 defensive recruit has been compared with Richard Seymourbecause he can dominate a game from any position on the line. Austin, who isknown for his work ethic and athletic ability, had 94 tackles and 13 sacks thisseason.
ERIC BERRY, DB
Creekside (Fairburn, Ga.), Senior, 6'0", 194
The nation's top defensive back had three interceptions at cornerback. He alsoreturned a punt for a touchdown and started at QB, running for 1,094 yards and17 TDs and passing for 651 yards and three scores.
CHRIS GALIPPO,LB
Servite (Anaheim), Senior, 6'2", 235
Galippo's all-out style and nose for the ball are why he's been compared withBrian Urlacher. The USC recruit had 15 tackles and three sacks as well as twoblocked kicks in a 21--6 win over St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) inOctober.
EVERSON GRIFFEN,DL
Agua Fria (Avondale, Ariz.), Senior, 6'4", 265
Capable of 4.46 speed in the 40, this explosive defensive end had 76 tacklesand 16 sacks; he also rushed for 1,237 yards and 20 touchdowns as a runningback. Griffen is leaning toward signing with USC.
MARTEZ WILSON,DL
Simeon (Chicago), Senior, 6'4", 228
The state's top recruit shone on both sides of the ball with 110 tackles andeight sacks at defensive end and 25 catches for 779 yards at receiver. Thelanky pass-rush specialist is considering Illinois, Notre Dame, Ohio State andUSC.
THE LIST
Southern Cal's44--24 rout of Notre Dame at the L.A. Coliseum last Saturday helped the Trojansshow off their program to some coveted high school recruits. Nationalprospects--including defensive lineman Marvin Austin (above right), offensiveguard Kristofer O'Dowd (Salpointe Catholic, Tucson) and receiver TerranceTolliver (Hempstead [Texas] High)--hung out with current Trojans players andcoaches before and after the game. "It's a great atmosphere to bearound," said O'Dowd, "and it would be a fun place to be." ... Bybeating Lawrence Central 58--47 last Wednesday, Indianapolis's Lawrence NorthHigh set a state record with its 46th straight boys' basketball win. North,which lost star forward Greg Oden (now at Ohio State) to graduation, got 20points from senior forward David Windham. Oscar Robertson's Crispus Attucks(Indianapolis) team won 45 straight in the 1954--55 and 1955--56 seasons....Lincoln County (Ga.) High's Larry Campbell (left) became only the fifth highschool football coach to win 400 games (400-69-3) and moved closer to his 11thstate title last Friday when his Red Devils beat Eagle's Landing ChristianAcademy (Stockbridge, Ga.) 34--0 in the second round of the Class Aplayoffs.
Daily Coverage
For more high school news and rankings from RISE andDave Krider's Primetime Performer of the Week, go to SI.com/highschool.
ELEVEN PHOTOS
RIVALS.COM (5); PETER READ MILLER (TYLER, CLAUSEN); MICHAEL KUREC (AUSTIN); SAM RICHE/THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR (EVANS); JOHN GREEN/CAL SPORT MEDIA (GALIPPO); CHRIS THELEN/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE (CAMPBELL)
