Preseason All-Bay Area News Group offensive linemen
(Listed in alphabetical order)
DREW AZZOPARDI, SERRA, OT, 6-5, 317, SENIOR
AIDAN BANDES, PITTSBURG, OG, 6-2, 250, SENIOR » Firstteam All-Bay Valley selection in the spring. Older brother Jacob, now at Washington, also starred in the trenches for coach Vic Galli. He’s got about 50 pounds on his younger brother, who hasn’t received quite as much college interest. JACKSON BROWN, SAN RAMON VALLEY, OT, 6-5, 275, SENIOR » One of the most sought-after line prospects in the region saw his profile rise following a standout junior season anchoring the line alongside guard Kyle Ecker, now at the University of San Diego. Brown’s list of offers has grown to at least 14 and is headlined by Cal, Colorado and Pittsburgh — but USC and UCLA have also shown interest. DENARIS DEROSA, ST. FRANCIS, OG, 6-3, 265, SENIOR » Recently
committed to San Jose State, where former teammate Hudson Mesa — the Lancers’ starting center last season — is now a freshman. Will team up on the left side with Uluakinofo Taliauli to form one of the more formidable duos in the region. NATHAN ELU, SERRA, OT, 6-5, 295, SENIOR OLUGBENGA KOMOLAFE, LIBERTY, OT, 6-4, 290, SENIOR » First-team All-BVAL, second-team All-Bay Area selection in the spring. Rated two stars by 247Sports and holds a scholarship offer from D-II Black Hills State (South Dakota).
BRANDON SOUSA, FOOTHILL,
OT/OG, 6-4, 270, SENIOR » Brings great combo of size and athleticism to anchor the offensive line for the defending EBAL Valley division champions. A “D-I guy ... who has the flexibility to be a guard or tackle because he is so athletic,” said coach Greg Haubner. DEREK THOMPSON, DE LA SALLE, OG, 6-2, 275, JUNIOR » The lone returning starter on De La Salle’s offensive line, but coach Justin Alumbaugh says Thompson is ready to step up. Received his first scholarship offer, from Nevada, following a breakout spring campaign. ULUAKINOFO TALIAULI, ST. FRANCIS, OT, 6-4, 270, SENIOR » St. Francis loses one D-I prospect from its line but returns two more, headlined by Taliauli, who grew an inch and added another 10 pounds over the summer. He enters his senior season with five Division I offers in hand, including from Colorado and Oregon. NATHAN YORE, LOS GATOS, C, SENIOR » Returning leader of the offensive line unit for the SCVAL De Anza division champions in the spring. “He is very intelligent and runs our offensive line,” coach Mark Krail said. WATCH LIST » Mattias Dominguez, Oak Grove; CJ Falevai, Pittsburg; Soane Fassolo, Menlo-Atherton; Elijah Klock, Campolindo; Nehemiah Musika, Valley Christian; Diego Reyes, De Anza; Carlos Ruiz, Half Moon Bay; Jason Schwartz, Leigh; Cole Sullivan, Hillsdale; Banipal Yaro, Leigh.