6 College Football Recruits Who Had an Explosive Week
The final weekend of October high school football action didn't fail to entertain. Pivotal showdowns helped clear up—or, in some cases, cloud—state playoff pictures as prominent college prospects took their efforts to another level at the perfect time.
We continue our weekly review of top-tier recruit performances with a look at athletes from across America who stepped up, shattered records and, most importantly, led their teams to victory.
2015 3-star quarterback Tucker Israel, Lake Nona High School (Orlando, Florida)
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The Clemson commit continues to carve up opponents and solidify his spot in Sunshine State football record books. Israel, a 6'.05", 200-pound passer, collected 600 yards through the air for a second straight week, becoming the third high school player in history to accomplish that feat, per Kevin Askeland of MaxPreps.
Israel, who now holds Florida records for single-game passing yards, career passing yards, career completions and career touchdown tosses, has been torching teams during the second half of his senior season. He completed 30 of 38 attempts Friday night against Celebration High School, tallying 630 yards and nine touchdowns.
His performance propelled Lake Nona to a 73-22 win. Israel now has 39 touchdown tosses through nine games.
2016 4-star wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe, North Gwinnett High School (Suwanee, Georgia)
This scintillating junior standout made quick work of the Duluth High School defense Friday night, wreaking havoc throughout a remarkable opening half. Imatorbhebhe caught six passes for 206 yards and five scores before intermission, according to Chris Hillyard of the Gwinnett Daily Post.
His monstrous effort helped North Gwinnett establish a 51-24 halftime lead. The team cruised to a 71-24 victory.
Imatorbhebhe hauled in three touchdown receptions in the first quarter, including a 52-yard score on the game's opening play from scrimmage. His following four touchdowns came on catches of 48, 12, 21 and 56 yards.
"I was just feeling it," he told me Saturday morning. "Our quarterback did a great job of getting the ball in my hands and giving me the opportunity to make big plays."
Imatorbhebhe holds scholarship offers from Missouri, Michigan, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Florida, Ohio State and several other schools. He is enjoying a career-best season this fall with 53 catches for 964 yards and 14 touchdowns through eight games, per MaxPreps.
2016 5-star quarterback Shea Patterson, Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, Louisiana)
The 6'2", 195-pound passer is playing more confident than ever these days, validating and enhancing his status as a top-tier 2016 prospect. Lakeside High School is the latest opponent to fall victim, unable to slow down Patterson during a Friday night showdown.
Patterson picked apart passing lanes, completing nine of 11 attempts in a 44-7 victory, per MaxPreps. His performance featured five touchdown tosses, including scoring connections to four different receivers.
The former Arizona commit is on fire with 15 touchdown passes and no interceptions in his past five games. Patterson is completing 65 percent of throws this season, which has helped his team get off to a 7-1 start.
His offers sheet features LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Notre Dame, USC and Texas A&M. The Aggies extended a scholarship last week:
2015 4-star wide receiver Damarkus Lodge, Cedar Hill High School (Cedar Hill, Texas)
Lodge saved his best effort of the season for a massive spotlight, as Cedar Hill faced fellow state title contender DeSoto High School on national television. Game attendees included star Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant.
The 6'2.5", 190-pound prospect was simply unstoppable during the highly anticipated showdown. Lodge collected 235 receiving yards in a 65-42 victory that provided a resounding statement to the rest of the Lone Star State.
He caught three touchdown passes, including a game-sealing score in the fourth quarter, according to Matt Wixon of The Dallas Morning News. His performance drew praise from the most impressive pass-catcher in Texas:
Lodge now has 33 touchdown receptions since 2013, per MaxPreps. Cedar Hill is 21-3 during that span.
He decommitted from Texas A&M last month, visiting several campuses since that decision. Lodge has spent time at Ole Miss, LSU and USC during the past several weeks.
2015 3-star defensive back Kareem Ali, Timber Creek High School (Sicklerville, New Jersey)
The 5'10", 175-pound playmaker may be looking ahead to a college career at cornerback, but he showed off his offensive skills Friday night against Clearview High School. Ali set season-highs with 262 yards and three touchdowns on just 15 carries, delivering the Chargers to a 33-21 victory over Clearview, according to Joe Zedalis of NJ.com.
Ali hadn't even registered a 100-yard rushing output in 2014 prior to the outburst. He found the end zone on runs of 12, 18 and 24 yards, adding a 23-yard touchdown reception in the process.
His eventful evening also included four tackles and a fumble recovery. Ali initially committed to Maryland before flipping to Temple this summer.
2015 4-star quarterback Brady White, Hart High School (Santa Clarita, California)
White led his team back from a second-half deficit Friday night against Golden Valley High School. The 6'2", 190-pound prospect flourished on downfield targets, hooking up with fellow 4-star recruit Trent Irwin seven times for 163 yards and two touchdowns, per Brent Maranto of the Santa Clarita Signal.
Irwin was hardly alone as a recipient of White's well-placed passes. The Arizona State commit completed 18 of 28 attempts for 336 yards and three scores.
Known for his success in the pocket, he flashed dual-threat capabilities with 112 rushing yards in the 38-24 win. White, who committed to the Sun Devils over Oregon, Penn State and Cal, has 35 total touchdowns through eight games, per MaxPreps.
Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report national recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.
Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.
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