Lorenzo Booker

It's a very good year for RB prospects in the state of California, and there has been a running debate about who's actually the top running back. Most people in the know have it down to two: Hershel Dennis, a 5-11, 190-pounder from Long Beach-Poly; and this year's version of Barry Sanders -- Lorenzo Booker, a 5-11, 185-pound speedster from St. Bonaventure High in Ventura.

I've watched both of them on film and it's hard to separate the two. However, if I were pressed to pick one over the other, I'd have to go with Booker. On film he's a slashing back with tremendous moves, vision and cutting ability. He's not the biggest back around, and wearing the number 1 makes him look slimmer than he actually is. He played last season at 170 pounds but is up to 185 right now, and the added muscle should make him an even more dangerous back this season.

As a junior he carried the ball 222 times for 3,103 yards and 49 TDs, averaging close to 15 yards per carry, one of the highest averages I've seen over the past couple of years. His success led to him being named the Junior State Player of the Year, an honor well deserved.

When I watched Booker on film, he proved to be the consummate back who can run, catch and even block when the occasion arises. He's known more for making defenders miss but does have surprising power when running between the tackles. In the open field he's a sight to behold and can give a defense fits once he gets a half-step on pursuers.

Right now he ranks with Gerald Riggs of Chattanooga, Tenn., as one of the top two backs in the nation.If anyone needs proof, just watch the film of Ventura's game last season against Oak Park, in which Booker ran 97 yards for a score through and around the entire defense.

He's a difference-maker who can change the course of the game with one carry. He's also a track star who has run a 10.9 100 meters and a 22.2 200 meters and has long-jumped better than 22 feet. Another plus in Booker's favor are his grades. As of mid-August he had narrowed his list down to eight schools; USC and Notre Dame appear to be the two favorites, followed closely by Tennessee, UCLA, FSU, Miami (Fla.), Florida and Clemson.

Booker told me that he will not make a decision until close to Signing Day, and he may wait until that day to announce on a local television show, just like FSU signee Dominic Robinson did last February. The coaches in the L.A. area believe that he is leaning to USC; however, his teammate and good friend James Bonelli has committed to Notre Dame, which should add to an interesting recruiting battle come December.

Tom Lemming is editor of Prep Football Report. For information on how to subscribe to Prep Football Report's three yearly magazines and five newsletters ($60 for the magazines and $90 for both magazines and newsletters), fax your name, address and fax number to 847-842-1313 or write to P.O. Box 59113, Schaumburg, Ill. 60159. For year-round recruiting updates, call Tom Lemming's Prep Football Hotline at 900-860-9888. Calls are $1.79 per minute, and callers must be 18 years old or have parents' permission.