Lots of talent on the local junior college field

So, I make it no secret that I coach at Glendale Community College. I played there and love it there. Coach Ewan has a long coachng history in the JC ranks, coaching at Mesa, and Brad played JC basketball.

We played Scottsdale on Saturday (won 23-20) and after the game I realized just how many major college prospects were on the field.

Many student-athletes and parents do not understand how JC athletics work. They think it is for the “dumb” players or “worst” players. This is the furthest from the truth. It is for the “non-qualifed players” and “late blooming players”.

In the GCC v. SCC game there were a number of division-one bouncebacks, players that sign letters of intent with a Divison I school but transferred for some reason, be it academics or personal decision. For SCC, former five-star DB Justin Turner roamed the secondary. Turner was at Michigan a few years ago and has been offered by Hawaii. Memphis transfer Brandon Hayes lined up at B for the Artichokes.

Glendale punter Zach Robinson played at Oklahoma State last year. Offensive guard Junior Nieves played at Northern Colorado.

Then throw in the late-bloomers that are now fielding multiple offers.

Scottsdale DT Mike Pennel is the biggest kid I have ever seen. He played sparingly at Grandview HS in Colorado and now is one of the most heavily recruited players in the nation. The 6 feet 5 inch, 340 pounder, yes 340 pounds and not fat, has offers from Ole Miss, Arkansas, Arizona State and about 10 other major programs. Beside him is former Mesa Skyline DT Chris Brown. No offers out of high school but now has offers from Utah and Washington State.

For GCC, former South Mountain ofensive tackle Pat Ward has grown from a 6 feet 4 inch, 250 pound skinny kid to a 6 feet 5 inch, 285 pound man, that has offers from Indiana and Purdue. Wide receiver Demetrius Wilson, who runs a 4.34 forty, has multiple offers and had a 100 yard game on Sat.

There are many more kids out there, at least 20 will sign DI or I-AA, in my estimation. Parents please don’t overlook the junior college route when hunting for schools for your kids.