Las Vegas Sun Super 11 Bios

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000 | 10:37 a.m.

D.J. Williams

6-3, 220, LB/RB, Concord, Calif./De La Salle

108 points

Went 36-0 in three years as a varsity starter in helping De La Salle extend its national-record winning streak to 100 games. Named Parade Magazine's national player of the year and USA Today's defensive player of the year after registering 37 tackles for losses and forcing five fumbles. Also starred at running back on offense, gaining 4,276 yards on 346 carries, catching 38 passes for 930 yards and scoring 81 career touchdowns. Some scouts believe he's the nation's No. 1 prep prospect. College: Florida State, Miami, Cal, Michigan or Texas.

Travis Johnson

6-4, 255, DL, Sherman Oaks, Calif./Notre Dame

107 points

Burst on the scene as a sophomore when many scouts were stopping by his high school to watch teammate and close friend Justin Fargas, a running back now at Michigan. Explosive pass rusher who had 16 sacks as a senior and 58 1/2 for his career. Despite his size, has been timed at a very respectable 11.2 in the 100 meters. Named national defensive player of the year by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report. College: Florida State, Michigan, USC, UCLA or Miami.

Marcus Houston

6-2, 205, RB, Denver/Jefferson

98 points

First team USA Today All-American who was widely regarded as the nation's top prep running back prospect. Combines excellent speed (4.4 in the 40) with power and moves. Rushed for 1,743 and 26 touchdowns despite missing two games this past season and also starred at safety in leading Jefferson to the Denver Prep League title. Outstanding student with a 3.6 GPA. College: Committed to Colorado.

Amon Gordon

6-1, 240, LB, San Diego/Mira Mesa

89 points

Although D.J. Williams is garnering most of the national honors, some scouts believe the hard-hitting Gordon is every bit his equal as a linebacker prospect. A second-team USA Today All-American who also starred at fullback on offense, gaining 1,353 yards and scoring 19 touchdowns. Moved to Mira Mesa with best friend Teyo Johnson from Everett, Wash., last summer after starring at Mariner High School. College: USC, Stanford, Florida State or Miami.

Tab Perry

6-3, 205, WR, Milpitas (Calif.) High School

58 points

Tall, explosive receiver in the Keyshawn Johnson mold. Timed at 4.4 in the 40 at several scouting combines. Starred at both wide receiver (49 catches for 700 yards) and running back (513 yards on 85 carries) and scored 17 touchdowns as a senior. Also had 98 tackles on defense. College: Committed to UCLA.

Matt Grootegoed

6-0, 195, DB/RB, Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei

57 points

A two-time CIF Southern Section Player of the Year, Grootegoed was a standout on both sides of the ball for the Monarchs and led Mater Dei to Division I titles both his junior and senior year. Had a spectacular championship game as a junior, rushing for 244 yards as the Monarchs stunned a Long Beach Poly team that featured three 1999 Super 11 picks (Kareem Kelly, Chris Lewis and Darrell Rideaux). "He's the greatest player in Mater Dei history," coach Bruce Rollinson said. Quite a compliment considering ex-Monarch John Huarte went on to win a Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame. College: Committed to USC.

John Rattay

6-4, 195, QB, Phoenix/Desert Vista

57 points

The younger brother of Louisiana Tech's record-setting quarterback Tim Rattay may have an even brighter future. For one thing, he's about three inches taller. He's also left-handed. Led the Thunder to Arizona 5-A title as a junior and sparked a 26-game win streak. Threw 82 touchdown passes in his career, just one shy of Ryan Kealy's state mark. A mid-year graduate who will take part in spring practice at Tennessee. College: Enrolled at Tennessee.

Alex Holmes

6-3, 285, TE/DE, Studio City, Calif./Harvard-Westlake

51 points

Because he had to repeat the ninth grade after missing 13 weeks of school with illness, Holmes was ineligible to compete this past season. Still, he was considered by some the top tight end prospect in the nation. Had 45 receptions for 990 yards in 1998. Has been timed at 4.58 in the 40 and benches 405 pounds even though he didn't really begin weight training until this past summer when he worked out with NFL Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson. Owns 3.0 GPA and 1,300 SAT score. College: Committed to USC.

Paul Mociler

6-5, 295, OL, Bellflower, Calif./St. John Bosco

51 points

Earned a perfect 10 votes in the Long Beach Press-Telegram's Best in the West poll of college coaches despite suffering a major (torn left ACL) knee injury in final prep game against Santa Ana Mater Dei. Graded out at 90 percent in blocking and averaged four pancake blocks per game for Kiki Mendoza's Braves. Earned second team USA Today All-American honors. Underwent reconstructive surgery on Dec. 14 and hopes to be ready for fall practice in August. College: Committed to UCLA.

Michael Williams

6-1, 195, RB/DB, Lakewood, Calif./Mayfair

50 points

Compared to Arizona State star J.R. Redmond by some scouts, Williams starred on both sides of the ball for the Monsoons. Had 1,980 yards and scored 45 touchdowns as a senior and was named offensive player of the year by the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Some scouts believe he could be an NFL free safety. Had 37 tackles and five interceptions as a senior, three of which he returned for touchdowns. College: Committed to Arizona State.

Lynn McGruder

6-2, 290, DL, Las Vegas/Cheyenne

47 points

Arguably the top prospect to come out of Nevada in more than a decade, McGruder was the Gatorade state player of the year and a second team USA Today All-American. Had 38 solo tackles and 15 sacks as senior. Combines great quickness with strength and speed. Also was a top-notch basketball player at Palestine (Texas) High School before deciding to focus on football. College: Committed to Tennessee.

Joe McGuire

6-5, 295, OL, Anaheim, Calif./Servite

47 points

McGuire definitely passes "the look test." An avid weight-lifter who maintains a very strict diet, he weighs a well-chiseled 295 pounds (only 11 percent body fat) and was rated the top prospect in Southern California by Student Sports Magazine. Starred both ways for the Friars and was a two-time all-Orange County selection. It's possible he could see time in college as a true freshman. College: Committed to USC.