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The National Underclassmen
Combine hit the Los Angeles area
on Easter, and drew 190
athletes, which is a single
session high for the Combine.
Overall over 300 players
participated during the day,
which turned out to be one of
the best combines thus far.
Leading the charge in the
morning session was sophomore RB
Shane McCullen, who was named
the Overall MVP and also
received the Fastest Man Award.
Shane McCullen with Coach
Schuman
McCullen, 6-foot-1 ½ and
188-pounds, who is from Apache
Junction High School in Arizona,
was also a participant at the
Ultimate 100 Camp as a
freshman. Throughout the event
he showcased his fantastic
athleticism and impressive
stature, and he proved all of
this during the combine events
with a 35-inch vertical, 4.47
40, 4.44 shuttle, and 22 reps at
150-pounds. He also had an
amazing 10’3.5” broad jump,
which was a Combine record until
it was broken in the afternoon
session.
The National Underclassmen
Combine hit the Los Angeles area
on Easter, and drew 190
athletes, which is a single
session high for the Combine.
Overall over 300 players
participated during the day,
which turned out to be one of
the best combines thus far.
Leading the charge in the
morning session was sophomore RB
Shane McCullen, who was named
the Overall MVP and also
received the Fastest Man Award.
McCullen, 6-foot-1 ½ and
188-pounds, who is from Apache
Junction High School in Arizona,
was also a participant at the
Ultimate 100 Camp as a
freshman. Throughout the event
he showcased his fantastic
athleticism and impressive
stature, and he proved all of
this during the combine events
with a 35-inch vertical, 4.47
40, 4.44 shuttle, and 22 reps at
150-pounds. He also had an
amazing 10’3.5” broad jump,
which was a Combine record until
it was broken in the afternoon
session.
Vincent Minor and Nick
Williams with Coach Schuman
McCullen wasn’t the only running
back who stood out during the
morning. In fact, the race for
the RB MVP was so close that
Co-MVP’s were named. First was
sophomore Nick Williams of Monte
Vista High School in
California. Williams, 5-foot-9
½ and 166-pounds, had a 9’3”
broad, 14 reps at 150-pounds,
4.61 40, and 4.32 shuttle, while
performing very well in both
individual drills and 1-on-1’s.
Joining Williams as co-MVP was
sophomore Vincent Minor of
Etiwanda High School in
California. Minor, 5-foot-8 ½
and 164-pounds, was one of the
most dominant players of the day
during 1-on-1’s and individual
drills, plus he had a 28.5-inch
vertical, 4.68 40, and 13 reps
at 150-pounds.
Nicholas Lenhart with
Coach Schuman
The QB MVP went to sophomore
Nicholas Lenhart of Bishop Amat
in California. Lenhart,
5-foot-11 and 170-pounds, is a
dual-threat quarterback who was
athletic, fast, had great
delivery of the ball, and showed
poise and command in the
pocket. During the combine
events he finished with a
31.5-inch vertical, 8’11” broad,
4.86 40, and 4.50 shuttle.
Nate Scola with Coach
Schuman
The Freshman MVP went to another
quarterback, Nate Scola of
Apache Junction HS of AZ. Scola,
5-foot-8 ½ and 185-pounds, was a
true leader on the field, as he
took command of the receivers
and ran the passing routes with
precision. He has a bright
future as a dual-threat
quarterback. He also had a 4.60
shuttle, 28-inch vertical,
8’7.5” broad, and 26 reps at
135-pounds during the combine
events.
David Quiroga with Coach
Schuman
Two wide receivers stood out
during the morning session, but
sophomore David Quiroga of Ayala
High School in California came
away with the MVP. Quiroga,
6-foot-0 and 194-pounds, has
great size, to go along with
fabulous hands and route running
ability. He was equally
impressive during the combine
events, with a 4.33 shuttle,
8’11.5” broad, 30-inch vertical,
and 18 reps at 150-pounds. Also
worth mentioning was sophomore
Samuel Treat of Desert Ridge
High School in Arizona. Treat,
6-foot-3 and 178-pounds, already
has the frame of a big time
receiver, plus he showcased
smooth route running and
exceptional receiver skills
throughout the morning. During
the combine events he finished
with a 9’10” broad, 4.62
shuttle, 4.77 40, and 12 reps at
150-pounds.
Steve Trujillo with Coach
Schuman
As with the wide receiver
position, two offensive linemen
stood out during the morning
session. Leading the way was
sophomore Steve Trujillo of
Cathedral High School in
California. Trujillo, 6-foot-3
½ and 300-pounds, has the
potential to be one of the top
linemen in the Class of 2009,
and he left no doubt of that
during the morning. He was
dominant during 1-on-1’s, plus
he ran a 5.31 40, 5.19 shuttle,
had 22 reps at 185-pounds, and a
22-inch vertical. Also from
Cathedral High School was
sophomore Christopher Jimenez,
who at 6-foot-3 and 355-pounds,
was undefeated during 1-on-1’s
and displayed great footwork
despite his size. He also had
24 reps at 185-pounds and a 5.6
shuttle. Overall, the group of
offensive linemen during the
morning session was arguably the
best group ever assembled at the
National Underclassmen Combine.
The defensive side of the ball
also had a number of impressive
performances, such as DB MVP
sophomore Ketwaun Frank of Elk
Grove High School in
California. Frank, 5-foot-6 and
150-pounds, did not have any
experience in the combine
events, but displayed lockdown
abilities during 1-on-1’s. With
most players, combine results
are important, but with Frank
they proved unnecessary as the
kid can flat out play. His two
interceptions and four pass
break up’s proved to everyone
that he was the best defensive
back during the morning session.
The DL MVP went to sophomore Rex
Meikal of Yucaipa High School in
California. Meikal, 6-foot-1
and 260-pounds, had good combine
numbers, 21 reps at 185-pounds,
4.96 shuttle, 23-inch vertical,
and 5.44 40, but he was
especially impressive during
both individual drills and
1-on-1’s.
Rex Meikal with Coach
Schuman
The last MVP of the morning
session went to sophomore LB
Robert Franco of San Pedro High
School in California. Franco,
5-foot-11 and 206-pounds, shined
during the combine events, with
a 4.64 40, 4.37 shuttle, 32 reps
at 150-pounds, 8’7” broad, and
29-inch vertical. Franco was
dominant physically and
athletically in all phases.
Robert Franco with Coach
Schuman
Finally we’d like to give a
special mention to sophomore LB
Andrew Meredith, who gained the
nickname “Hollywood” during the
recent New Jersey combine, and
continued his solid play during
the morning session. Meredith
came to Los Angeles from Green
River, Wyoming and put up even
more impressive than his
previous combine in New Jersey.
Meredith, 6-foot-0 and
175-pounds, had a 29.5 vertical,
9’6” broad, 4.56 40, 15 reps at
150-pounds, and a shuttle time
of 4.18, which was the best of
the day.
Andrew Meredith skying to
make the play.
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