5 College Football Recruits Who Had an Explosive Week
Playoff action is in full swing across the national high school football landscape as state titles and individual legacies hang in the balance. For many standouts, it's the final stretch run before embarking on collegiate careers.
As the 2014 campaign creeps to a close, we continue to keep tabs on the top prospects. Here's a peek at the premier performances from another busy weekend of meaningful matchups.
4-star 2015 WR Trent Irwin, Hart High School (Santa Clarita, California)
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Though his team fell short of advancing in the state playoff tournament, Irwin established himself among California's most accomplished pass-catchers. The 6'2", 190-pound playmaker set state records for career receptions and receiving yards during a 52-21 loss to Upland High School in second-round playoff action.
He caught 15 passes for 165 yards in the defeat, according to Cary Osborne of The Santa Clarita Signal. The totals pushed his career numbers past those of current Minnesota Gophers sophomore Drew Wolitarsky, who finished with 281 receptions and 5,148 yards at Canyon High School.
Irwin ranks eighth all-time on the national receiving yards list and 15th in terms of catches, per Kevin Askeland of MaxPreps. He is closing in on a decision (with Arizona State, UCLA, Stanford and Oregon State in the mix).
His high school quarterback, fellow 4-star recruit Brady White, is committed to the Sun Devils.
5-star 2015 DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, New Jersey)
The two-way standout pushed St. Peter's Prep to a state championship rematch with Paramus Catholic by dominating during the semifinal round. Fitzpatrick, who stands 6'1", 198 pounds, caught nine passes for 274 receiving yards, per Braulio Perez of NJ.com.
He hauled in three touchdown tosses from teammate and Notre Dame quarterback commit Brandon Wimbush. Each of his scoring receptions occurred during the third quarter, with strikes from 42, 44 and 64 yards out.
Fitzpatrick's efforts helped the team run away with a 31-14 victory over Bergen Catholic. He leads St. Peter's in receptions this season and also serves as a shutdown defensive back.
Alabama is expected to utilize him at cornerback, where he is rated fourth nationally in 247Sports' composite rankings. He also considered offers from Florida State, South Carolina and Penn State.
4-star 2015 RB Johnny Frasier, Princeton High School (Princeton, North Carolina)
The 5'11", 220-pound Florida State commit rumbled through an overwhelmed Camden County defense Friday night en route to his fourth 200-yard rushing output of the season, per MaxPreps. Frasier found the end zone three times in a 40-22 win that sent Princeton into the state quarterfinals.
He turned 23 carries into 204 yards, extending his triple-digit rushing yardage streak to 20 games. Frasier now has more than 2,200 rushing yards this season and 35 total touchdowns.
His 11.5 yards-per-attempt average makes him one of the most dynamic offensive weapons of the 2015 class. Frasier, rated fifth nationally among running backs in 247Sports' composite rankings, has rushed for more than 6,000 yards since his sophomore season.
Florida State landed his pledge in August, though several teams are still in the hunt. Campus visits this fall have included Duke, Florida, North Carolina State and Tennessee.
2-star 2015 QB Josh Love, Long Beach Poly High School (Long Beach, California)
The 6'2", 188-pound passer picked apart Crespi High School during a state sectional quarterfinal battle. Love fired four touchdown passes while working against man-to-man pass coverage, leading Long Beach Poly to a 44-27 win, per Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times.
He completed 14 passes for 287 yards, fueling a second-half comeback. Love added a rushing touchdown, giving him five total scores.
His senior season now features 39 touchdown passes and 2,900 yards through the air. Love and the Jackrabbits advance to a semifinal showdown against St. John Bosco and top-rated 2015 quarterback Josh Rosen.
Love remains uncommitted. His past campus visits include Oregon State and BYU.
3-star 2015 QB Chason Virgil, West Mesquite High School (Mesquite Texas)
Just days after Mississippi State pulled his full scholarship due to roster reasons, per Devin Hasson of Mesquite News, Virgil showed what the Bulldogs will be missing moving forward. Virgil, rated 19th nationally among pro-style passers in 247Sports' composite rankings, erupted in a hard-fought second-round playoff loss to McKinney North.
The 6'2", 170-pound prospect completed 27 pass attempts for 404 yards and six scores, according to Brian Perroni of Gigem247. Virgil added 42 rushing yards in the 50-44 defeat.
He was expected to enroll early at Mississippi State before the situation changed. Now looking for a new home, Virgil will review his offer list (which includes Nebraska, Louisville, Colorado and Auburn).
Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
