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August recruiting thread

Meet the stars of No. 1 Mater Dei's most loaded team yet​

How good is Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei’s 2023 iteration? Not only are the Monarchs ranked No. 1 by MaxPreps for the fourth time since 2017, but this year’s roster could be their most loaded one yet.​

Greg BigginsGREG BIGGINS31 mins0

How good is Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei’s 2023 iteration? Not only are the Monarchs ranked No. 1 by MaxPreps for the fourth time since 2017, but this year’s roster could be the most talent-laden they’ve ever had — which is saying plenty.

We’ll even go a step further and say, on paper, this year’s team could be the most talented California has seen in the modern recruiting era.

Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean this will be Mater Dei’s best team. The 2017 Mater Dei team, quarterbacked by J.T. Daniels with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Bru McCoy catching passes, is considered by many as the best team in Southern California history. But as far as talent goes, the 2023 roster is hard to top.

In the 2024 class alone, the Monarchs have six players in the Top247 rankings, including three of the top four players in the state. Ahead of Mater Dei's season opener Friday night at No. 15 Centennial (7 p.m., PST: Follow along here), let's meet the highest-ranked members of the team.

AYDIN BRELAND, DL: NO. 1 IN STATE, NO. 6 NATIONALLY​

Aydin Breland is an athletic 6-5, 295 pound defensive lineman who can play inside or outside. He moves around like a linebacker, is incredibly strong and has an edge in his game. His game has reminded some of former Georgia standout and recent Philadelphia Eagles draftee Jalen Carter and the Dawgs are on his short list along with Oregon, Miami and Texas A&M.

BRANDON BAKER, OL: NO. 2 IN STATE, NO. 24 NATIONALLY​

Brandon Baker plays right tackle for the Monarchs but could easily play on the left side in college. He has a prototype tackle frame with an 80-inch wingspan, moves very well and plays with advanced technique. Ohio State, Oregon and Texas are the teams to beat with Baker.

ZABIEN BROWN, DB: NO. 4 IN STATE, NO. 45 NATIONALLY​

Zabien Brown is also the top corner in the state and top 5 nationally. He has an athletic 6-foot frame, great cover instincts and is a physical player. He shows excellent ball awareness and ball skills and is tough in run support. He committed to Alabama in July over a final three that also included Ohio State and USC.

DEANDRE CARTER, OL: NO. 6 IN STATE, NO. 55 NATIONALLY​

DeAndre Carter has started at left tackle for the Monarchs since the final game of his freshman year. Body-wise, he probably projects better in college as a guard and has always reminded us of former SoCal OL Wyatt Davis, who played at rival Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco and Ohio State before being drafted in the third round by the New York Giants. Auburn, Michigan State and Texas are the final three for Carter.

ELIJAH BROWN, QB: NO. 11 IN STATE, NO. 90 NATIONALLY​

Quarterback Elijah Brown is 29-1 as a starter with his lone loss coming in last year’s CIF Championship game. He has started every game for Mater Dei since his freshman year as the successor to Bryce Young and plays with incredible poise, toughness and leadership. He’s one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the country and committed to Stanford over a final three that also included UCLAbia and USC.

NATE FRAZIER, RB: NO. 16 IN STATE, NO. 143 NATIONALLY​

Nate Frazier is rated even higher in the 247Sports Composite at No. 49 and has as much upside as any back in this year’s class. He’s a well built 5-11, 210 pounds with breakaway speed and clocked a 10.58-100m this past Spring. He recently committed to Georgia over a final four that also included Alabama, Oregon and Texas A&M.

MATER DEI’S 2025 CLASS IS JUST AS LOADED WITH 5 JUNIORS IN THE TOP247, INCLUDING NOS. 1 AND 2 IN-STATE​

- Nasir Wyatt, OLB, No. 1 in state, No. 40 nationally: Wyatt is an elite pass rusher who will likely break the career sack record at Mater Dei before he’s done. He’s a blur off the edge and flashes a quick first step, uses his hands and can run down any quarterback from behind. Alabama,Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee and USC are just a few who have offered.
- Daryus Dixson, DB, No. 2 in state, No. 44 nationally: Dixson is a shutdown cover corner who can bully opposing receivers at the line of scrimmage and has the athleticism to run with them down the field. He has great length, advanced technique and plays a physical game. Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLAbia have offered USC.
- Jordon Davison, RB, No. 8 in state, No. 74 nationally: Davison is a top 30 player in the 247Sports Composite and is a player we’ve been hearing about since middle school. He’s from the same Northern California training facility that produced Joe Mixon, Najee Harris and Releek Brown and the staff there consistently said Davison was the most talented of that group. He has over 30 scholarship offers but recently said Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, and Texas stand out right now.
- Marcus Harris, WR, No. 11 in state, No. 80 nationally: Harris is an explosive receiver (averaged over 25 yards a catch last season) who can stretch the field, runs well after the catch and has strong hands. He’s a polished route runner as well and has the ability to play out wide or in the slot. He recently visited Oklahoma and Texas, called Oregon his dream school and is hoping to check out Ohio State and Tennessee soon as well.
- Chuck McDonald, DB, No. 17 in state, No. 142 nationally: McDonald might be the fastest of the Mater Dei defensive backs, although a hamstring issue hindered him this past track season. He has a long 6-1 frame and closes really well on the ball. He was a top performer at last summer’s Under Armour Next Camp and should have a breakout junior season. Schools like Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas A&M, UCLAbia and USC have offered.

Mater Dei’s ’26 class is loaded as well and could have as many as five players in the Top247 when rankings are expanded following this season, so don’t look for things to slow down for the Monarchs any time soon.
 
I am also confused, #2 definitely throws the pass in the video.

Edit: in the second video.

You're correct. He was definitely the one receiving the 1st TD.
Yeah. He catches the pass in the first video. He is playing QB and throws the pass in the second video. That second tweet says it is his second TD pass, so it's not just a gimmick. Interesting.
 

Meet the stars of No. 1 Mater Dei's most loaded team yet​

How good is Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei’s 2023 iteration? Not only are the Monarchs ranked No. 1 by MaxPreps for the fourth time since 2017, but this year’s roster could be their most loaded one yet.​

Greg BigginsGREG BIGGINS31 mins0

How good is Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei’s 2023 iteration? Not only are the Monarchs ranked No. 1 by MaxPreps for the fourth time since 2017, but this year’s roster could be the most talent-laden they’ve ever had — which is saying plenty.

We’ll even go a step further and say, on paper, this year’s team could be the most talented California has seen in the modern recruiting era.

Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean this will be Mater Dei’s best team. The 2017 Mater Dei team, quarterbacked by J.T. Daniels with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Bru McCoy catching passes, is considered by many as the best team in Southern California history. But as far as talent goes, the 2023 roster is hard to top.

In the 2024 class alone, the Monarchs have six players in the Top247 rankings, including three of the top four players in the state. Ahead of Mater Dei's season opener Friday night at No. 15 Centennial (7 p.m., PST: Follow along here), let's meet the highest-ranked members of the team.

AYDIN BRELAND, DL: NO. 1 IN STATE, NO. 6 NATIONALLY​

Aydin Breland is an athletic 6-5, 295 pound defensive lineman who can play inside or outside. He moves around like a linebacker, is incredibly strong and has an edge in his game. His game has reminded some of former Georgia standout and recent Philadelphia Eagles draftee Jalen Carter and the Dawgs are on his short list along with Oregon, Miami and Texas A&M.

BRANDON BAKER, OL: NO. 2 IN STATE, NO. 24 NATIONALLY​

Brandon Baker plays right tackle for the Monarchs but could easily play on the left side in college. He has a prototype tackle frame with an 80-inch wingspan, moves very well and plays with advanced technique. Ohio State, Oregon and Texas are the teams to beat with Baker.

ZABIEN BROWN, DB: NO. 4 IN STATE, NO. 45 NATIONALLY​

Zabien Brown is also the top corner in the state and top 5 nationally. He has an athletic 6-foot frame, great cover instincts and is a physical player. He shows excellent ball awareness and ball skills and is tough in run support. He committed to Alabama in July over a final three that also included Ohio State and USC.

DEANDRE CARTER, OL: NO. 6 IN STATE, NO. 55 NATIONALLY​

DeAndre Carter has started at left tackle for the Monarchs since the final game of his freshman year. Body-wise, he probably projects better in college as a guard and has always reminded us of former SoCal OL Wyatt Davis, who played at rival Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco and Ohio State before being drafted in the third round by the New York Giants. Auburn, Michigan State and Texas are the final three for Carter.

ELIJAH BROWN, QB: NO. 11 IN STATE, NO. 90 NATIONALLY​

Quarterback Elijah Brown is 29-1 as a starter with his lone loss coming in last year’s CIF Championship game. He has started every game for Mater Dei since his freshman year as the successor to Bryce Young and plays with incredible poise, toughness and leadership. He’s one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the country and committed to Stanford over a final three that also included UCLAbia and USC.

NATE FRAZIER, RB: NO. 16 IN STATE, NO. 143 NATIONALLY​

Nate Frazier is rated even higher in the 247Sports Composite at No. 49 and has as much upside as any back in this year’s class. He’s a well built 5-11, 210 pounds with breakaway speed and clocked a 10.58-100m this past Spring. He recently committed to Georgia over a final four that also included Alabama, Oregon and Texas A&M.

MATER DEI’S 2025 CLASS IS JUST AS LOADED WITH 5 JUNIORS IN THE TOP247, INCLUDING NOS. 1 AND 2 IN-STATE​

- Nasir Wyatt, OLB, No. 1 in state, No. 40 nationally: Wyatt is an elite pass rusher who will likely break the career sack record at Mater Dei before he’s done. He’s a blur off the edge and flashes a quick first step, uses his hands and can run down any quarterback from behind. Alabama,Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee and USC are just a few who have offered.
- Daryus Dixson, DB, No. 2 in state, No. 44 nationally: Dixson is a shutdown cover corner who can bully opposing receivers at the line of scrimmage and has the athleticism to run with them down the field. He has great length, advanced technique and plays a physical game. Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLAbia have offered USC.
- Jordon Davison, RB, No. 8 in state, No. 74 nationally: Davison is a top 30 player in the 247Sports Composite and is a player we’ve been hearing about since middle school. He’s from the same Northern California training facility that produced Joe Mixon, Najee Harris and Releek Brown and the staff there consistently said Davison was the most talented of that group. He has over 30 scholarship offers but recently said Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, and Texas stand out right now.
- Marcus Harris, WR, No. 11 in state, No. 80 nationally: Harris is an explosive receiver (averaged over 25 yards a catch last season) who can stretch the field, runs well after the catch and has strong hands. He’s a polished route runner as well and has the ability to play out wide or in the slot. He recently visited Oklahoma and Texas, called Oregon his dream school and is hoping to check out Ohio State and Tennessee soon as well.
- Chuck McDonald, DB, No. 17 in state, No. 142 nationally: McDonald might be the fastest of the Mater Dei defensive backs, although a hamstring issue hindered him this past track season. He has a long 6-1 frame and closes really well on the ball. He was a top performer at last summer’s Under Armour Next Camp and should have a breakout junior season. Schools like Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas A&M, UCLAbia and USC have offered.

Mater Dei’s ’26 class is loaded as well and could have as many as five players in the Top247 when rankings are expanded following this season, so don’t look for things to slow down for the Monarchs any time soon.
That Elijah Brown has future All-Mountain West QB written all over him.
 
Nebraska commitment Jacory Barney Jr., showed off on Thursday night the kind of athleticism and versatility that made him one of the summer’s big recruiting wins for the Huskers.

In a preseason kickoff game against Doral Academy, Barney showcased his ability to get open as a receiver, as he hauled in a few tough catches and if that wasn’t enough, he flipped to quarterback where he tossed two more touchdowns in a weather-shortened 35-3 win.

Barney committed to Nebraska over Miami in July and the Huskers were on Barney from the jump as Matt Rhule and the rest of the staff saw his versatility as a big asset in an offense that’s looking for unique playmakers.

Nebraska landed Barney over the hometown Hurricanes in part because of the confidence the staff has in how to use Barney, as well as winning over his mother, who left Lincoln in June quite enamored with the program. Miami offered in June after Barney had a typical big day at an event held on campus, but the Huskers continued to recruit him hard all the way up to the July 1 decision.

The Huskers plan to use Barney as a receiver primarily, but his Swiss Army Knife like style could create some fun opportunities down the road. In fact Barney has the ability to even play on the defensive side of the ball and that's where 247Sports director of scouting, Andrew Ivins, initially liked him, until seeing everything else the recruit could do.

"I thought he was the best player on the field at a 10-team jamboree at Palm Beach Gardens back in May," Ivins told Husker247. "Initially, I had thought his ceiling might be higher on the defensive side of the ball, but he’s a playmaker at wide receiver. Has plenty of wiggle as a route runner and is able to break off defenders with his short area quickness. Tracks the football well and I think it’s also pretty impressive how he breaks tackles for someone with a slender build. I thought he was a nice win for Nebraska back in July."

Clearly Miami Palmetto coach Mike Mancuso enjoys getting to game plan how to use Barney and not how to defend the four-star athlete.

“He’s a lot of fun and can do a lot of different things well,” Palmetto coach Mike Manasco told the Miami Herald on Thursday. “I’m glad we don’t have to play against him.”

Barney and Palmetto start their season against Homestead next Friday.

 

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