Around the region in a forward-lean 3 minutes or less …

On the trail – Football recruiters are everywhere these days – in the stands, on the sideline, in front of their laptop or hand-held device – peeking at the next prospect.

They especially seek these numbers: qualifying test scores, grade-point average, height and weight. Statistics don't even register.

A is for Angus – UCLA assistant coach Angus McClure, a former Sacramento State lineman and assistant, was at Sheldon High School on Friday to evaluate. He likes Cosumnes Oaks' do-everything marvel Marcus Rios, verbally committed to Boise State. No scholarship is binding until pen hits paper on letter-of-intent day in February, however. For now, it's open season.

Nate the Great – Nate Iese of Sheldon is solidly on the recruiting radar. UCLA is aware of the tight end-defensive end prospect who has breathtaking ability at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds. He takes his first recruiting trip today, to Washington State.

Eddie and the Cruisers – Perhaps the region's top junior recruit is Placer defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, a floor safe of a young man at 6-4, 305 pounds.

Shaq attack – Some recruits amaze you with their skills and astound with their humility, none more so than Shaq Thompson of Grant. He makes it a point to mingle with 8-year-olds after games because "everyone needs a role model."

Linemen at large – It's not just an up year for prep quarterbacks. It's shaping up to be a big year in the trenches, too. They include Gavin Andrews (Granite Bay), Arik Armstead (Pleasant Grove), Jordan Alleva (Folsom), Nathan Di Donato (Franklin), Zach Heath (Del Oro), Steven Moore (Elk Grove), Alec Sarner (Nevada Union), Ammon Tuimaunei (Roseville) and Leonard Wood (Monterey Trail).

Keeney goals – Brendan Keeney of Granite Bay is drawing mild quarterback recruiting interest, but I wonder why not major interest. He's plenty big at 6-3, durable, skilled, a leader, a fine student.

The interest will intensify.

Same can be said of Roseville quarterback Zac Cunha.

TT in Folsom – Because size matters in recruiting, expect Tanner Trosin of Folsom to generate more scholarship interest than Dano Graves did last season as the ultimate Folsom playmaker at 5-9 and 180. Trosin is 6-2 – and exceptionally skilled.

Best leg forward – Ace kickers Charlie Vue (Grant), Marcus White (Pleasant Grove) and Andrew Nave (Jesuit) expect to showcase their legs in college.

Laying the Woods – Consistency matters, and say hello again to 2010 All-America defensive end Cortez Woods of American River. On the ARC offensive line: 6-7, 330-pound tackle Connor Rains, motivated to excel after missing much of last season with a leg injury.

Shadow-casting big – John Tupou of Sacramento City College continues to generate offers as a gifted 6-7, 355-pound tackle. Tupou's coaches aren't the only ones warning that he'll balloon up to 400 with his next third helping of ice cream. Recruits are, too.

Forehand force – Sac City freshman lineman Antonio Campana is intriguing because he's bulky and mobile. He played tennis at El Camino at 6-4 and 290 pounds.

Logan's Heroes – Logan Kilgore wasn't recruited out of Jesuit because he was stuck in a logjam at quarterback and didn't play. He flourished at Bakersfield College and is now on scholarship and starting at Middle Tennessee as a junior.

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