Offer this kid

[Dwan]

You would think that with a name like Mikhail Marinovich (6-5.5, 225, 4.7), exposure would be the least of the San Juan Capistrano tight end/defensive end’s problems. But the Junipero Sierra Catholic High School prospect seems unfazed by the lack of attention.

“I really want to make a name for myself,” Marinovich said. “I don’t want live in the shadow of my brother (USC and former Oakland Raiders QB Todd Marinovich). I can understand why schools have been slow to offer me…among other things, my family doesn’t have the best reputation, you know.”

With impressive showings at the UCLA, USC and Nike camps this summer and the CIF SS granting him a fifth-year of eligibility, Marinovich, a Scout.com two-star prospect with no offers, hopes his recruiting starts heating up.

“Right now, Texas Tech and USC are recruiting me the hardest. I’ve talked with them quite a bit. Also, UCLA, Arizona State and Nebraska have shown some interest and been in contact with me,” he said. “I really don’t have a favorite yet. They are all great schools and established programs, which is what I’m looking for. I'm definitely interested in Tech and USC though. If either one wanted to take me right now, I’d be willing to take my GED and go at mid-term if I could. I’m just ready to get to that next level.”

Marinovich hopes to officially visit the Red Raiders before Christmas. “I’ve talked with them quite a lot. Coach (Sonny) Dykes called me up and said they saw my tapes and have heard a lot about me and that they really want me to come out for a visit,” Marinovich said. “I think Tech has a lot to offer. They have a strong offense that I could see myself fitting into. They said they might want me on defense too. I really want to go out there and meet the coaches and the team and just get a feel for the place. They are high up on my list.

“USC is also up there,” Marinovich said. “That’s the obvious choice of my family since they all went there. I really like all the SC coaches. They are really intense and driven, but they have fun at the same time. Plus, I’m already really familiar with their program. I’ve mostly talked with Coach (Brennan) Carroll. He said they were really impressed with my performance at camp and liked my quickness and strength. They wanted me to send them more tape.

“We’ve talked about them offering,” he added, “but Coach Carroll said that they want to concentrate on the season right now and that once the season ends they’ll have a better idea where they’re at in terms how I might fit in. But it sounds positive, for sure.”

“I also like UCLA a lot, which hasn’t gone over with my family to well. When my brother found out I went to their camp, he almost killed me. I’ve talked with them, but they already got Nate Chandler (San Diego Mira Mesa) for tight end, so they are looking at me for defensive end only. I really enjoyed their camp and liked the campus a lot. Plus, my friend (Chris) Forcier (San Diego St. Augustine QB) is going there and I’d love to play with him.

“I’ve also talked with Nebraska and Arizona State, but not as much as the others. I’d like to go visit both schools and learn more about both programs.”

Marinovich said he is also interested in Florida State. “Florida State is a place I really would like to check out. They are all about intensity and playing hard. That’s how I am. I haven’t talked to them at all, but I would like to go out there for a visit and check it out.

“I’m not worried about getting offers right now. I know they’ll come in time,” he said. “Most coaches think I’m a junior or don’t even know about me. I went to a really small school and I was sick with a thyroid problem my entire freshman year and had to be home-schooled. I transferred to J Sierra and had to repeat my freshman year and then having to forfeit our first season didn’t help,” he added.

[OC Mustang]

Used to live in Laguna Niguel. Wife taught at St. Anne, the feeder school to J Serra. My mother-in-law, God Rest Her Soul, has her memorial on St. Anne's campus. Know a bunch of people there.

Don't recognize this guy, though. Is definitely a newbie to the school.
I'll see what I come up with through channels. J Serra is trying to create another high school athletic powerhouse to compete w/ Mater Dei & Santa Margarita. They were breaking ground on a sweet athletic complex right when we were leaving.

Kris Windes, I think, is one of the administrators. She is SMU alum along w/ her husband. I'll dig a little more, but now that I think on this guy, I am not sure he can pass admissions.