Mesa State football staff landed possibly the top defensive recruits earlier today when the staff inked outside linebacker Anthony “Ace” Ward (6'1, 220, Sherman Oaks, CA) and defensive end Daniel Potter (6'3, 225, Sherman Oaks, CA), teammates from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Notre Dame High School posted an 11-1 overall record, ranked eighth in California and 35th in the nation for high school football. The Serra League 2008 championship team finished number one in California in power rating and strength of schedule. The conference ranked third overall in the national power rating.
One of the premier high school football teams in the country, Notre Dame High School held the number one national ranking for three weeks in November after being ranked #86 in the preseason poll by PrepNation. In 2007 Notre Dame High School held preseason national rankings of #3 and #7 by Rise and Sports Illustrated Magazines respectively. The rich tradition at Notre Dame High School includes league championship titles in eight of the last nine years.
Anthony ”Ace” Ward; All-Serra League linebacker and Second Team Los Angeles Daily News All-Area linebacker…Named to the All-State Football Team and nominated for the International Federation of American Football Junior World Championship game in Canton, Ohio…Finished the 2008 season with 92 tackles, eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss yardage…Two-time Player of the Week…Three-year starter…Ranked #79 (linebackers) in the nation by Scout.com…Ace is a fabulous addition to our linebacking crew…He has great speed (4.5 forty) and instincts… He is quite possibly the most decorated recruit we have ever signed… Son of Tony and Brooke Ward.
Daniel Potter; First Team All-League…Starting defensive lineman for one of the top teams in the nation…Lifter of the Year…1000 lb. Club…Danny played a major role on a team with one of the toughest defenses in the nation…He has great acceleration and quickness off the edge …He possesses a solid understanding of the skills required to be a great pass rusher…Hard working and an extremely talented addition to the Mavericks defensive line…Son of Tom and Monica Potter.
