Stock Watch - All-American Practice Week

Ohio State recruit Mike Adams and Notre Dame pledge Dayne Crist lead their squads

Jan. 4, 2008

By Tom Lemming

Special to CSTV.com

	TOM LEMMING Tom is CSTV's college football recruiting analyst, and writes for CSTV.com regularly. E-mail here!

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SAN ANTONIO -- Both the East and the West are as evenly matched as we've ever seen them in the past couple years here at the Alamo. None of the players selected have looked out of place and all really came to play in the week leading up to Saturday's game. Here's who the top five performers for each team have been and who is showing flashes of being poised for a break-out game Saturday.

East Stock Watch

1 - OL Mike Adams, Dublin Coffman High School, Dublin, OH (Committed to Ohio State - No. 30 overall)

Without a doubt, he's proven to be the best OL in the country this week. He is a legit 6-foot-8, 310-pounder and has imposed his will on everyone he's gone up against.

2 - QB Terrelle Pryor, Jeannette Senior H.S., Jeannette, PA (No. 1 overall)

He's thrown it well, highlighted by a couple deep balls like the one where he ended the 7-on-7s on Wednesday. He's ran it well, with a couple dashes through All-American defenders for would-be touchdowns. This is the total package and should open up Saturday as the starter.

3 - DB Patrick Johnson, Blanche Ely H.S., Pompano Beach, FL (No. 40 overall)

He's created quite a buzz with his sudden declaring that he won't head to Miami and will choose between Florida, Florida State and LSU. But his play has certainly been talked about plenty by coaches and players alike. He's showed tremendous cover skills and proved he will make a freshman impact.

4 - WR DeAndre Brown, Ocean Springs H.S., Ocean Springs, MS (No. 19 overall)

Too big and too fast to cover and is looking like a guaranteed scoreboard threat no matter who is on him Saturday.

5 - LB Arthur Brown, East H.S., Wichita, KS (Committed to Miami - No. 5 overall) 

This would-be West team player made the move to the East because he wanted to play with his fellow Hurricane committed players. He's shown great instincts and athletic ability to live up to his ranking.

POTENTIAL BREAK-THROUGH PLAYERS...

RB Lamaar Thomas, Friendly H.S., Fort Washington, MD (Committed to Ohio State - No. 88 overall)

Shown to be great in space and one of the most explosive players here. The Buckeyes have been given proof this week that they've landed another in their line of talents in the backfield.

DL Brandon Newman, Pleasure Ridge Park H.S., Louisville, KY (Committed to Notre Dame)

The East has been unable to block him one-on-one with the strength and leverage he brings to what looks like is making him the strongest kid here. I didn't select him and saw him in February with the thought of him as a three-star player, but he's certainly proven worthy this week.

West Stock Watch

1 -QB Dayne Crist, Notre Dame H.S., Sherman Oaks, CA (Committed to Notre Dame - No. 8 overall)

He's been precise with all his different throws and looks like the starter for the West over two tough customers in Andrew Luck (Stanford) and Blaine Gabbert (Missouri).

2 - WR Michael Floyd, Cretin-Derham Hall H.S., St. Paul, MN (Committed to Notre Dame - No. 15 overall)

Looks fantastic with all the one-handed catches he's been making that he has no business pulling in.

3 - RB Darrell Scott, St. Bonaventure H.S., Ventura, CA (No. 2 overall)

Clearly proven to be the best running back in the country this week. Colorado, Florida or Texas are getting a big-time catch with him.

4 - QB Andrew Luck, Stratford H.S., Houston, TX (Committed to Stanford - No. 9 overall)

Could also start for the West with no argument from anybody. Has shown his leadership skills in the pocket and spread the wealth to all the receivers.

5 - DL Baker Steinkuhler, Lincoln Southwest High School, Lincoln, NE (Committed to Nebraska - No. 33 overall)

Brings those great feet off the ball to the biggest stage of them all. Will serve as a huge catch for the Huskers after enduring the coaching change.

POTENTIAL BREAK-THROUGH PLAYERS...

RB Sam McGuffie, Cy-Fair High School, Cypress, TX (Committed to Michigan - No. 11 overall)

Quick feet and great in open space, look for the highlights to come on Saturday and with the Wolverines next year in Rich Rodriguez's spread offense.

WR Dan Buckner, Allen High School, Allen, TX (Committed to Texas - No. 95 overall)

Really made a statement this week with all the catches he's made against the top coverage.