KENNY HILLIARD
17 > RUNNING BACK > Patterson, La.
Achievements
The 6-foot, 221-pound junior at Patterson High rushed for 2,377 yards and 34 touchdowns on 256 carries last season and was named National Sophomore of the Year by EA Sports. He's on pace to break the state records for yardage and TDs midway through his senior season. Football runs in the family: His uncle Dalton was a running back for the Saints for eight years, and his cousin Ike, a wide receiver with the Buccaneers, finished his 12th NFL season in 2008.
Reminiscent of
LenDale White. Kenny has the size and speed to burst up the middle with power, à la the Titans' back. "The first contact usually doesn't slow him down," Lumberjacks coach Tommy Minton says.
Coach's comment
"A lot of times kids who are as gifted as him at an early age just [rely on] that athletic ability," Minton says. "But he has a tremendous work ethic in the weight room and with the conditioning program."
Next step
Kenny has offers from LSU, Alabama, Minnesota, Tennessee and Texas A&M on the table. For now, he's concentrating on ways he can improve—especially as a receiver out of the backfield.
KALEENA MOSQUEDA-LEWIS
15 > GUARD > Santa Ana, Calif.
Achievements
As a sophomore and captain at Mater Dei High, the 6-foot Kaleena led the Monarchs to a 31--0 regular-season record—averaging 24.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists—and the state semifinals. She's a lethal shooter who can also dominate in the paint with her size and strong upper body. Heralded as the most complete player in her class, Kaleena was named a Parade Magazine first-team All-America and Gatorade California player of the year.
Reminiscent of
Diana Taurasi. Like the UConn grad and WNBA star, Kaleena is a natural scorer who commands attention when she's on the floor. "It's just a charisma some players have," says Mater Dei coach Kevin Kiernan.
Coach's comment
"She's always played against older people, and she's really comfortable with older people," says Kiernan. "She was the leading scorer as a freshman, and that's hard. Not just on the court but also mentally. But she's very mature."
Next step
Kaleena's got a packed summer that includes a couple of national tournaments and a trip to Mexico City with the U-16 U.S. team. As for college, she intends to go through the recruiting process but says, "I want to go to a big school."