The Sleepers

Pat Hill always lands the sleepers. The prospect many don't know about but becomes a great college player. Think back to the 2001 class and Porterville native James Sanders. 2 star prospect that became one of the best strong safeties in the country as a Bulldog.

The 2002 class had a 1 star safety prospect that Hill envisioned as a college cornerback. While 2002 4 star safety Vincent Mays has yet to emerge, Marcus McCauley has become an all-WAC performer just like Hill envisioned.

The 2003 class is still young, many have just finished their redshirt sophomore year, but one stands out, Cole Popovich. Popovich officially is not listed on the 2003 class because he grayshirted, meaning he did not enroll at Fresno State until the spring of 2004. He was a starting guard as a freshman in 2004 until he was injured against Kansas State and had to redshirt. He came back as a redshirt freshman in 2005 and picked up where he left off and was named freshman all-American.

His counterpart at the guard position, Ryan Wendell, was considered a national sleeper in 2004. Many BCS schools backed off the 6-2 260 lb guard because of his size, but not Hill. Wendell took over Popovich's spot in 04 and was named freshman all-American.

The 2005 class has just one year under its belt, and all but one redshirted, Richard Pacheco. Hard to tell which sleeper will be the next great star, but keep an eye on WRs Seyi Ajurotutu and Chastin West.

This year Hill looks to have landed a boatload of guys that look to have great speed and tremendous athletic ability. Robert Schenck, Nico Herron, Lonyae Miller are just a few of great prospects Hill has plucked from the land of unknowns. However, two Fresno area prospects are considered two of West Sleepers on rivals.com. Edison's Charles Amadi and Buchanan's Justin Prueitt are listed as 3 star sleepers to keep an eye on from the West. Despite all Hill's efforts it is very discouraging that Fresno State can not land these type of national sleepers from their own backyard.


Justin Prueitt, OL, Fresno (Calif.) Buchanan

Played defensive tackle his entire high school career, but will be an OL on the next level for the Bears. He really impressed in his first serious duty at OT in the CaliFlorida Bowl and it looks like the Bears are once again getting a super-star out of a three-star prospect.




Charles Amadi, DE, Fresno (Calif.) Edison

Amadi, who is a candidate to win the California triple-jump state title, is a fantastic athlete and a spectacular student. If he's anything like some other former Cal players of Nigerian descent, like Joe Igber, Adimchinobe Echemandu and Nnamdi Asomugha, the Bears have a major talent.

*note Amadi is really a safety, just a type by rivals.com, I pressume