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Psyblast · 02-14-2012, 11:40 PM

Stanford hits the ground running in Arizona

August 30, 2016

It's a banner year in the state of Arizona, and Stanford coach Brian Kudron has grand plans of taking advantage. During his time as head man in Palo Alto, Kudron has signed seven Arizonians: TE Marcus Davenport, OLB John Arnold, DT Andrew Edwards, OLB Adrian Turner, OT Kyle Davis, DT Juan Johnson, and DT Carlos Roberts. In 2017, he may look to sign that many in one class, as seven prospects from the Copper State are on Stanford's radar.

1. Jeremy Taylor, HB
Phoenix Desert Vista

Scouting Report: Taylor is below average at moving side to side, making tacklers miss, and accelerating away from defenders - yet he is ranked as the #10 player in the country, because he is a runaway train with the football, leaving a path of destruction in the wake of his 236-pound frame. His stamina matches his running style, as he delivers just as much brutality in the fourth quarter as he does in the first. Taylor is as close to college-ready as a high school prospect can be. He could step onto the college field tomorrow and not look out of place.

Recruitment: Taylor has not been offered by Stanford yet (though that is a formality, as he is an elite student in the classroom), but the Cardinal have a spot in his top group, along with Texas and Pac-12 North rivals Cal and Oregon.

2. Jordan Ross, CB
Superior

Scouting Report: While a bit on the light side at just 167 pounds, Ross, the nation's #2 cornerback, has plenty of room to add weight at 6'2, and in addition to blazing 4.38 speed, Ross doesn't let his slight build deter him, as he is tenacious in man coverage and pressing his man at the line of scrimmage - two attributes Stanford holds in high regard when evaluating cornerback prospects. Ross is not the best tackler in the world, but that is more of a technique issue than a mentality issue, meaning proper coaching can correct it.

Recruitment: Ross has said he is wide open, and is hearing from a who's who of college football: Stanford, USC, Michigan, Ohio State, Cal, Oregon, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, and Auburn. He likely won't decide for sometime, but if/when a Stanford offer comes through, the Cardinal are expected to be serious contenders for his services.

3. Anthony Morris, QB
Chandler

Scouting Report: The 6'3, 220-pound Morris is the 2nd-ranked QB in the country, and #26 player overall. It's unfair to heap such lofty expectations on him, but it's hard to watch him play and not see shades of Shane Williams in his game. What makes Morris elite is his ability to perform in any offense. He is polished enough to perform in a pro-style offense, and he has the arm strength and accuracy to make all the throws. But he also possesses enough speed and athleticism to keep defenses honest, just like Williams does now in Stanford's offense.

Recruitment: Morris already has an offer from in-state Arizona, and is in touch with USC, Stanford, Cal, Ohio State, Nebraska, and others. The Wildcats run an appealing offense to a star QB like Morris, but he says he feels no tug to stay home, and will evaluate each school that pursues him objectively.

4. Todd Price, OLB
Tucson Canyon Del Oro

Scouting Report: Just as Anthony Morris may be seen by some as "Shane Williams lite," Price could be viewed as Adrian Turner 2.0, modeled after the Tucsonian now in his third year as a starter coming off the edge in Stanford's 3-4 defense. Price, at 6'6, 240, is similar in size to what Turner was in his senior year at Tucson Palo Verde (6'7, 230), and his skillset is comparable, although the consensus is Price is a step down in all aspects compared to Turner. That's certainly not a bad thing, since Turner was a fringe 5* recruit.

Recruitment: Price already has a tenative top five of Arizona, Stanford, Nebraska, USC, and Cal, with no leader. The Wildcats and Cornhuskers have already offered.

5. Paliana Kukolonu, C
Chandler Hamilton

Scouting Report: The Hawai'i transplant is a brute force in the middle of Hamilton's offensive line at 6'3, 330 pounds. Most teams prefer their center to be more of the athletic type of lineman, especially teams that run spread offenses. Kukolonu, though, is powerful, and more importantly, exceptionally smart. He seems tailormade to anchor the center of a Stanford offensive line.

Recruitment: Stanford is a regular presence in the hallways at Hamilton, so they are very, very high on Kukolonu's list. The in-state Wildcats and Sun Devils have already stepped up to the plate with scholarship offers, and Stanford, USC, and California may not be far behind.

6. Chase Rose, C/G
Cave Creek Cactus Shadows

Scouting Report: Rose is more balanced than Kukolonu, where the latter bases his game on brute strength and power, Rose adds a touch of finesse at 6'3, 283 pounds. To that end, Rose has better footwork than Kukolonu, while needing time in the weightroom to add muscle. Both players are considered center prospects right now, but both could make the switch to guard without issue.

Recruitment: Cal and Nebraska have already offered Rose, and currently sit atop his list, with Nebraska, USC, and Stanford close behind.

7. Gavin Brown, TE
Surprise Shadow Ridge

Scouting Report: Brown doesn't look the part of a Stanford tight end at only 6'3, 241 pounds, but he is a very good pass catcher, and is also a tenacious run blocker, which could make him an interesting fullback prospect ala Jay Hicks or Phil Anderson.

Recruitment: Of the seven Arizona natives on Stanford's radar, Brown is, at the moment, the least likely to be offered, as the Cardinal coaching staff is evaluating numerous tight end/fullback prospects. In the meantime, Brown is hearing from teams all over the Pac-12, including USC, Washington, BYU, Utah, Nevada, and Oregon State.

02-14-2012, 11:40 PM	#353
Psyblast 2023 National Champions OVR: 43 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: OS Midwest Office Posts: 42,513	Re: Stanford Cardinal (NCAA 12) *Stanford hits the ground running in Arizona* August 30, 2016 It's a banner year in the state of Arizona, and Stanford coach Brian Kudron has grand plans of taking advantage. During his time as head man in Palo Alto, Kudron has signed seven Arizonians: TE Marcus Davenport, OLB John Arnold, DT Andrew Edwards, OLB Adrian Turner, OT Kyle Davis, DT Juan Johnson, and DT Carlos Roberts. In 2017, he may look to sign that many in one class, as seven prospects from the Copper State are on Stanford's radar. 1. Jeremy Taylor, HB Phoenix Desert Vista Scouting Report: Taylor is below average at moving side to side, making tacklers miss, and accelerating away from defenders - yet he is ranked as the #10 player in the country, because he is a runaway train with the football, leaving a path of destruction in the wake of his 236-pound frame. His stamina matches his running style, as he delivers just as much brutality in the fourth quarter as he does in the first. Taylor is as close to college-ready as a high school prospect can be. He could step onto the college field tomorrow and not look out of place. Recruitment: Taylor has not been offered by Stanford yet (though that is a formality, as he is an elite student in the classroom), but the Cardinal have a spot in his top group, along with Texas and Pac-12 North rivals Cal and Oregon. 2. Jordan Ross, CB Superior Scouting Report: While a bit on the light side at just 167 pounds, Ross, the nation's #2 cornerback, has plenty of room to add weight at 6'2, and in addition to blazing 4.38 speed, Ross doesn't let his slight build deter him, as he is tenacious in man coverage and pressing his man at the line of scrimmage - two attributes Stanford holds in high regard when evaluating cornerback prospects. Ross is not the best tackler in the world, but that is more of a technique issue than a mentality issue, meaning proper coaching can correct it. Recruitment: Ross has said he is wide open, and is hearing from a who's who of college football: Stanford, USC, Michigan, Ohio State, Cal, Oregon, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, and Auburn. He likely won't decide for sometime, but if/when a Stanford offer comes through, the Cardinal are expected to be serious contenders for his services. 3. Anthony Morris, QB Chandler Scouting Report: The 6'3, 220-pound Morris is the 2nd-ranked QB in the country, and #26 player overall. It's unfair to heap such lofty expectations on him, but it's hard to watch him play and not see shades of Shane Williams in his game. What makes Morris elite is his ability to perform in any offense. He is polished enough to perform in a pro-style offense, and he has the arm strength and accuracy to make all the throws. But he also possesses enough speed and athleticism to keep defenses honest, just like Williams does now in Stanford's offense. Recruitment: Morris already has an offer from in-state Arizona, and is in touch with USC, Stanford, Cal, Ohio State, Nebraska, and others. The Wildcats run an appealing offense to a star QB like Morris, but he says he feels no tug to stay home, and will evaluate each school that pursues him objectively. 4. Todd Price, OLB Tucson Canyon Del Oro Scouting Report: Just as Anthony Morris may be seen by some as "Shane Williams lite," Price could be viewed as Adrian Turner 2.0, modeled after the Tucsonian now in his third year as a starter coming off the edge in Stanford's 3-4 defense. Price, at 6'6, 240, is similar in size to what Turner was in his senior year at Tucson Palo Verde (6'7, 230), and his skillset is comparable, although the consensus is Price is a step down in all aspects compared to Turner. That's certainly not a bad thing, since Turner was a fringe 5* recruit. Recruitment: Price already has a tenative top five of Arizona, Stanford, Nebraska, USC, and Cal, with no leader. The Wildcats and Cornhuskers have already offered. 5. Paliana Kukolonu, C Chandler Hamilton Scouting Report: The Hawai'i transplant is a brute force in the middle of Hamilton's offensive line at 6'3, 330 pounds. Most teams prefer their center to be more of the athletic type of lineman, especially teams that run spread offenses. Kukolonu, though, is powerful, and more importantly, exceptionally smart. He seems tailormade to anchor the center of a Stanford offensive line. Recruitment: Stanford is a regular presence in the hallways at Hamilton, so they are very, very high on Kukolonu's list. The in-state Wildcats and Sun Devils have already stepped up to the plate with scholarship offers, and Stanford, USC, and California may not be far behind. 6. Chase Rose, C/G Cave Creek Cactus Shadows Scouting Report: Rose is more balanced than Kukolonu, where the latter bases his game on brute strength and power, Rose adds a touch of finesse at 6'3, 283 pounds. To that end, Rose has better footwork than Kukolonu, while needing time in the weightroom to add muscle. Both players are considered center prospects right now, but both could make the switch to guard without issue. Recruitment: Cal and Nebraska have already offered Rose, and currently sit atop his list, with Nebraska, USC, and Stanford close behind. 7. Gavin Brown, TE Surprise Shadow Ridge Scouting Report: Brown doesn't look the part of a Stanford tight end at only 6'3, 241 pounds, but he is a very good pass catcher, and is also a tenacious run blocker, which could make him an interesting fullback prospect ala Jay Hicks or Phil Anderson. Recruitment: Of the seven Arizona natives on Stanford's radar, Brown is, at the moment, the least likely to be offered, as the Cardinal coaching staff is evaluating numerous tight end/fullback prospects. In the meantime, Brown is hearing from teams all over the Pac-12, including USC, Washington, BYU, Utah, Nevada, and Oregon State.