Orange County is loaded with top athletes, but we're charged with picking the top five to watch for the 2008 season.

Here are the five (and let the criticism begin):

MATT BARKLEY
Mater Dei
QB
6-3, 230
Senior
•Click here to check out Steve Fryer's take on Barkley.
• See Matt's Barkley's '08 stats
• Matt Barkley bio, videos and photos

CLARK EVANS
Los Alamitos
QB
6-5, 225
Senior
• Click here to check out Steve Fryer's take on Evans.
• See Evans' '08 stats
• Evans bio, photos and videos

RONNIE HILLMAN
La Habra
WR
5-11, 175
Senior
• Click here to check out Steve Fryer's take on Hillman.
• See Hillman's '08 stats

GABE LEMON
Orange Lutheran
DB/WR
5-9, 185
Senior
• Click here to check out Steve Fryer's take on Lemon.
• See Lemon's '08 stats

ALEX MASCARENAS
Mission Viejo
DB/WR
5-11, 185
Senior
• Click here to check out Steve Fryer's take on Mascarenas.
• See Mascarenas' '08 stats

Related:
• Other top seniors to watch
• All Football Kickoff '08 articles

Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com