Survey Rates Southland Talent Excellent at Several Positions : Scouts List 4 Valley-Area Players Among Top College Prospects

Even in an average year for high school football talent, scout Dick Lascola says Southern California can always be counted on to send a more-than-adequate supply of players to major colleges across the nation.

Lascola labeled last year’s crop as only slightly above average, but he says there is nothing run-of-the-mill about the talent for 1988. In fact, he is downright bullish on this year’s top players.

“This would have to be one of the better classes we’ve had,” said Lascola, who operates the Fallbrook-based Scouting Evaluation Assn.

Lascola says that the talent pool is especially rich with running backs and interior linemen, although quality is slightly down at wide receiver and defensive back.

“We have a lot of kids who are highly regarded on the national level,” Lascola said. “The big question is quantity, not the quality.”

Several recruiting services, including G & W Recruiting Report of Pennsylvania, Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report of Illinois, Super Prep magazine of Costa Mesa, Houston-based scout Max Emfinger and the Florida-based Bluechip Recruiting Report, were consulted by The Times to determine which Southland seniors are receiving the most national exposure.

Here, in no particular order, are the Terrific 22:

Curtis Conway (Hawthorne, quarterback)--The G & W Report says Conway “may be the best pure athlete in the country.” He is one of the premier high school sprinters in the nation, and runs the 40 in 4.4. Conway (6-1, 180) has option-oriented teams such as Oklahoma and Nebraska particularly interested. Conway rushed for 834 yards and 21 touchdowns last season and passed for 1,517 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Perry Klein (Carson, quarterback)--More of a dropback passer than Conway, Klein left his mark on scouts with a brilliant junior year at Palisades before transferring to perennial City Section power Carson during the off-season. Klein (6-3, 180) set a national record for completions last season with 319 in 488 attempts for 3,880 yards and 37 touchdowns.

Russell White (Crespi, running back)--It is no wonder why this name is at or near the top of almost every recruiting list. With 4,658 yards, 69 touchdowns and an 11.2 yards average a carry in his first two seasons at Crespi, White (6-0, 185) has established the foundation to shatter numerous Southern Section and state rushing records this season. “In the year of the running back, Russell is the top dog,” Lemming’s report says. In addition to his 4.5 speed in the 40, White also has great moves and agility.

Derek Brown (Servite, running back)--If not for the presence of White, Brown would probably be touted as the top running back prospect in the state. At 5-11, 185 pounds, he has good strength and balance. “He has that unusual ability to start and stop and then accelerate,” Lascola said. “Derek’s a more shifty player, whereas Russell is more physical.” Brown rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns last season.

John Johnson (Channel Islands, running back)--Lascola says that overlooking Johnson would be a mistake. “He has tremendous talent,” he said. “If someone took any of those three (White, Brown and Johnson), they wouldn’t be slighting their program at all.” Johnson (5-11, 185) produced impressive statistics as a junior with 1,672 yards rushing, 27 touchdowns and a brilliant average of 9.8 yards a carry. With 4.5 speed in the 40, he is also very quick and possesses elusive moves.

Dennis Collier (Eisenhower, running back)--A breakaway threat, Collier (5-10, 190) has rushed for 2,564 yards and 30 touchdowns the past two seasons and also provides strong coverage at defensive back.

Chris Hunter (Covina, running back)--Hunter had only 73 carries as a junior but made the most of them with 682 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Scouts like his 5-11, 185-pound frame and 4.4 speed in the 40. He also can play defensive back.

Brian Allen (Hart, tight end)--Allen (6-4, 215) is an all-around athlete who has the size and speed (4.7 in the 40) to excel at linebacker and tight end. He caught 45 passes for 675 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and is an excellent blocker. Allen, who has good leaping ability, is also a standout basketball player.

Justin Fix (Canyon, defensive lineman)--He might be the best defensive lineman not to play football this season, having quit his team recently. One scouting service describes Fix (6-3, 235), a two-year starter, as “tough as nails” and another calls him “a mean and tough nose guard with an aggressive style of play.”

Bob Whitfield (Banning, offensive lineman)--Most scouts consider Whitfield the premier offensive lineman on the West Coast. He is certainly one of the biggest at 6-7, 270. Lemming said he has been “a man among boys” in his short high school career.

Morris Unutoa (Carson, offensive lineman)--The latest in a long line of talented linemen to play for Carson, Unutoa certainly knows how to leave a lasting impression on his opponents. Lemming says he “doesn’t block people, he flattens them.” Unutoa (6-3, 240) runs the 40 in 4.8.

Terry McDaniels (Pasadena, offensive lineman)--What makes McDaniels impressive is his 4.9 speed in the 40. “He has the speed to run people down from behind,” Lascola said. McDaniels (6-5, 245) also has above-average strength. He is a two-way player and scouts also like his movement off the snap.

Kevin Kelly (Santa Monica, offensive lineman)--As Glyn Milburn was piling up big rushing totals last year, Kelly was usually providing key blocks. Kelly (6-3, 251), a three-year starter, moves well and sustains his blocks.

Marcellous Elder (Long Beach Poly, defensive lineman)--Not many high school defensive tackles are bigger than the 6-5, 270-pound Elder. “He’s a big, tough kid who runs real well and has great reaction time,” Lascola said.

Matt Werner (Esperanza, defensive lineman)--Although he has not received as much acclaim as other linemen on the list, Werner (6-5, 245) “is a very dominating player,” Lascola says. “He’s the kind of player who impresses you just by walking onto the field.”

Garrett Greedy (Servite, linebacker)--Greedy (6-4, 240) has the size to play defensive end, the speed to play linebacker (4.8 in the 40) and the tenacity to play nose guard. “He’s a tough, hard-working kid--the kind everyone wants in their program,” Lascola said.

Matt Butkus (Loyola, linebacker)--If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because he is the son of National Football League Hall of Famer Dick Butkus. He also happens to be a capable linebacker. Butkus (6-2, 230) averaged 10 tackles a game last season as a lineman.

Dana Ripley (Santiago, linebacker)--Santiago has not exactly been a stockyard for major college talent over the years but, believe it or not, Ripley (6-3, 235) may be an exception. “He has the perfect size and temperament for inside linebacker,” Lemming’s report says.

Erik Simien (Serra, linebacker)--The 6-3, 227-pound Simien will be either a linebacker or a defensive end in college. With a 4.7 time in the 40, he has the speed to play either position. “He covers a lot of ground and he’s a headhunter,” Lascola says.

Jim Klein (Loyola, defensive back)--In keeping with the like-father-like-son theme at Loyola, Klein’s father was also an NFL star as a tight end with the Los Angeles Rams. However, the younger Klein’s forte is playing safety. Klein (6-3, 195) had eight interceptions last season.

Tommie Smith (Antelope Valley, utility)--The only uncertainty hanging over Smith is which position he will play in college. Smith (6-2, 205) has stood out at running back, defensive back and tight end. Lascola thinks he will wind up in the secondary.

Paul Stonehouse (Loyola, kicker)--The best defense for Loyola this season might be Stonehouse. The all-state selection sent 85% of his kickoffs into the end zone and averaged 42.5 yards a punt last season.

THE TERRIFIC 22

Name School Ht. Wt. Pos. Curtis Conway Hawthorne 6-1 180 QB Perry Klein Carson 6-3 180 QB Russell White Crespi 6-0 185 RB Derek Brown Servite 5-11 185 RB John Johnson Channel Islands 5-11 185 RB Dennis Collier Eisenhower 5-10 190 RB Chris Hunter Covina 5-11 185 RB Brian Allen Hart 6-4 215 TE Bob Whitfield Banning 6-7 270 OL Morris Unutoa Carson 6-3 240 OL Terry McDaniels Pasadena 6-5 245 OL Kevin Kelly Santa Monica 6-3 251 OL Marcellous Elder Long Beach Poly 6-5 270 DL Matt Werner Esperanza 6-5 245 DL Justin Fix Canyon 6-3 235 DL Garrett Greedy Servite 6-4 240 LB Matt Butkus Loyola 6-2 230 LB Dana Ripley Santiago 6-3 235 LB Erik Simien Serra 6-3 227 LB Jim Klein Loyola 6-3 195 DB Tommie Smith Antelope Valley 6-2 205 UT Paul Stonehouse Loyola 5-10 175 K