ESPN West recruiting Blog

Posted by Greg Biggins

After struggling through a rough season a year ago, Crespi (Encino, Calif.) is poised for a bounce back season and is loaded with talent. They have three legitimate Div I prospects on the offensive line led by Hroniss Grasu.

Grasu is one of the state's top two way lineman and is getting looks on both sides of the ball. He has played both center and guard for the Celts as well as defensive end. After a somewhat slow start to his recruitment, Grasu is on a nice roll right now and has picked up three Pac 10 offers in the last week.

"Washington was the first school to offer follewed by Washington State and Oregon," Grasu said. "I camped at Washington and loved it there. The coaches have great energy and a winning background coming from USC.

"I definitely have a high interest in the Huskies and they're one of my top schools. Then I camped at Washington State and they offered too. My brother is there and I'm very comfortable with the school.

"The Oregon was huge and capped a great week. They offered me as a center just like Washington and my quarterback, Bryan Bennett, is already committed there and it would be fun to play with him."

Grasu said he doesn't have a preference for what side of the ball he plays on and that won't factor in to his decision.

"I'll play wherever the coaches want me to play," Grasu said. "I played center my sophomore year, guard last season and I'll be back at center this season. I'll also be playing defensive end and our whole team can't wait to get going to avenge last year's season.

"We have some great senior leadership this year and we're using our anger from last season to motivate us to go out and win a CIF Championship this year. We have a lot of talent coming back and I think we have a chance to have a special season this year."

Rowland being patient

Offensive lineman Nick Rowland (Peoria, Ariz./Centennial) is one of the elite players at his position out West. Rowland is in no hurry to make any decisions and is planning to take some visits before pulling the trigger.

Rowland was one of the top lineman in attendance at the recent USC Rising Stars Camp. He had a solid first day of camp and then had a strong second day. There was some talk the lineman could even earn an offer from the Trojans but that has yet to happen.

"I talked to the coaches after the camp and they told me they're not ready to offer yet," Rowland said. "It was a fun camp and the talent on the defensive line was incredible.

"Notre Dame is another school I was hearing a lot from but it doesn't look like they're ready to offer either so I'm just being patient. I know I want to take some trips and it would be great to be able to commit by October. I have a few schools in mind for visits but I haven't really narrowed my list down yet so I'm just going to sit tight and do all that at a later time."

A few of the schools that have offered Rowland include Arizona State, Cal, Stanford, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Colorado.