The senior trio? Quarterback Danny Naylor (6 feet 6, 180 pounds), receiver/defensive back Rocky James (6-2, 175) and linebacker Tanner Steward (6-2, 225).
“I don’t have a doubt with 28 years experience that all three of these kids belong in the MAC or FCS level,” DeLong said. “Xenia has to go back to Trent Cole (Indianapolis Colts) to find anyone like them.”
So far colleges have yet to bite.
Naylor, a two-time All-Greater Western Ohio Conference South selection, threw for 1,791 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He holds an offer from Mount St. Joseph University.
James, a two-time All-GWOC South selection, has what DeLong describes as “freakish ball skills.” Last season he caught 33 passes for 444 yards and eight TDs. He also made 31 tackles.
Steward made a team-high 137 tackles last season en route to first team All-GWOC honors. He made 75 tackles as a sophomore and 29 as a freshman.
Xenia will get a chance to showcase its talent again this season when it hosts Cincinnati Moeller on Sept. 11.
• A couple of quarterbacks have announced their college choices. Springboro’s Elijah Cunningham (6-3, 190) has committed to Bowling Green and Centerville’s Jacob Harrison (6-1, 195) to Navy.
Cunningham picked the Falcons over Akron, Cincinnati and Miami. He’s ranked the nation’s No. 62 pro-style QB prospect according to the 247sports.com composite rankings.
“The biggest thing was (BGSU’s) honesty,” Cunningham told 247. “They knew I was a quarterback they wanted and they offered me. From then on I’ve been able to build relationships. They have a winning football program and a coaching staff I can see myself playing for.”
Last year at this time, Harrison was committed to Akron and playing for Chaminade Julienne. Since then he has changed both high school and college destinations.
Now at Centerville, his hometown, Harrison pledged Navy right before the Fourth of July weekend. Harrison is ranked the nation’s No. 39 dual threat QB prospect according to 247.
• Senior defensive lineman and Maryland commit Jeffery Pooler Jr. (6-4, 270) is transferring from CJ to Dunbar. Pooler will join his cousin Terrance Landers Jr. (6-5, 180) on the Wolverines roster. Landers, a receiver, holds offers from Iowa and several MAC schools.
• Centerville senior LB Adam Hensley (6-3, 225) has committed to West Virginia. Hensley picked the Mountaineers over Illinois, Bowling Green, Ohio, Ball State, UConn, Buffalo and Toledo.
• Wrote in this spot a few weeks ago that Brown could potentially nab another Tippecanoe player. It has.
Senior athlete Jakob Prall (6-1, 178) committed to the Bears over the Fourth of July weekend. He will join former Tipp teammate and current Brown running back Jacob Hall on the Ivy League roster in 2016.
• Alter senior offensive lineman Chris Beech (6-2, 280) committed to Ball State. He chose the Cardinals over Army and Eastern Michigan.
• Two Wayne players recently picked up offers. Junior receiver Matthew Wilcox Jr. (5-10, 185) has been offered by Bowling Green, Toledo and Eastern Michigan. Senior defensive back Tobias Gilliam (6-0, 185), who is committed to Kentucky, picked up new offers from Nebraska, Minnesota and Washington State.
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