Corona del Mar quarterback Chase Garbers and Edison center Mike Saffell earned MVP honors at the Nike The Opening Regional, a high-profile football recruiting combine Sunday attended by many of the county’s top juniors and some underclassmen.
Garbers (6-3, 210) earned his MVP award in the Elite 11 Regional. The junior also was invited to the Elite 11 finals in early June at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.
“I was really consistent on all my throws today,” Garbers said via Twitter. “My footwork was exceptional and I was coachable.”
Unlike San Juan Hills QB Patrick O’Brien, the L.A. Regional MVP last year, Garbers was a hot recruit leading into the one-day camp. He has been offered by Boise State (first offer), Boston College, Washington State and Colorado State.
Now, look for his stock to climb even higher. O’Brien signed with Nebraska and is already enrolled at the school.
Saffell (6-4, 295) was selected MVP for the offensive linemen. He also recently earned a MVP award at a National Underclassmen Combine.
Jacob Callier of St. John Bosco was the defensive line MVP.
Garbers said Buena Park’s Taariq Johnson (junior) and Mission Viejo’s Austin Osborne (sophomore) were two of his receivers who impressed him Sunday.
Please send football recruiting news to Dan Albano at dalbano@ocregister.com
