2011's Rasmussen and Phillips pick up early interest
posted by Marlin Lee at 9/2/2009
-One early candidate to be a top 10 prospect from the state's class of 2011 is Hayward defensive end
Ben Rasmussen (6-4, 230).
A second-team all-conference selection as a sophomore, Rasmussen made a name for himself this past spring thanks to standout performances at the National Underclassmen Combine in Minneapolis and the Rivals.com Ultimate 100 Camp in Indianapolis.
At the NUC-Minneapolis, Rasmussen recorded a 4.8-second 40-yard dash, 4.47-second shuttle, 28.5-inch vertical jump, 115-inch broad jump and bench pressed 185-pounds 15 times; numbers good enough to garner an invitation to the U-100 Camp.
Not one to disappoint, Rasmussen left the U-100 Camp with plenty of hardware including Defensive Line MVP and Lineman Combine King honors.
It didn't take long for college coaches to take notice, and before he knew it, Rasmussen had recruiting interest coming from a handful of Division I programs.
“I have been told by Jovan Dewitt from Northern Iowa that he will be making a stop to see me this spring,” Rasmussen said. “Brian Anderson of Northern Illinois invited me to come see a game down there. North Dakota has requested film from me, and I recently received game invites from Michigan State. I have also had a little contact with Standford. They asked for junior game film.”
With five Division I schools already in the picture this early on in the recruiting process, things should only get bigger and better for Rasmussen.
A multi-sport athlete, Rasmussen also participates in hockey and track where he was a top 10 finisher in the discus at the WIAA Division 2 state meet with a throw of 147-00.
Rasmussen was also named the top lifter at the Hayward Hurricanes' “Mean 15” weightlifting contest back on August 10th. There he lifted 1,062 total pounds which was 90-pounds more than the second place finisher.
-Sticking with the class of 2011, Homestead defensive lineman
Donte' Phillips (6-2, 250) is another prospect worth keeping an eye on.
Similar to Rasmussen, Phillips garnered plenty of notice thanks to his performance at the National Underclassmen Combine in Chicago where he recorded a 5.29-second 40-yard dash, 5.12-second shuttle, 23-inch vertical jump, 91-inch broad jump and bench pressed 185-pounds 19 times. And just like Rasmussen, Phillips also earned an invitation to the U-100 Camp in Indianapolis.
Not surprisingly, several colleges have expressed interest in Phillips thus far including Wisconsin (school visit), Syracuse (camp invite), Virginia (letters), Washington State (letters), North Dakota State (e-mails) and Winona State (camp invite/e-mails).
With alumni like Shelby Harris (Wisconsin), Darius Feaster (Wisconsin), Ben Gardner (Stanford), Brad Thorson (Kansas), Bobby Ollman (North Dakota State), Justin Howard (North Dakota State), and Brett Werner-Powell (Illinois State) already scattered across Division I rosters, might Phillips be the next Homestead Highlander to join them?
Stay tuned to find out.
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