PHOTO BY ROMM PHOTOGRAPHY

Ellet football standout Devin Richardson, along with Garfield's Tyson Gulley, heads a long list of City Series seniors hoping to play at the college level.

AKRON -- With the football regular season complete, many top seniors from area teams begin zeroing in on the next step and hope to land a college scholarship.

Several Akron City Series seniors are on the recruiting radar.

This was the year of the running backs in the City Series, and college scouts, as well as fans, took notice.

As expected the two top backs in Akron, Garfield's Tyson Gulley and Ellet’s Devin Richardson, are drawing the most interest.

Gulley, at 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, broke records and displayed considerable leg strength. That, combined with his speed and his tackle-breaking ability, has numerous Division I programs to calling. Kansas, Syracuse, and Marshall all have been actively recruiting Tyson, along with all of the Ohio entries in the Mid-American Conference.

In 2009, Gulley rushed for 952 yards and 14 touchdowns on 167 attempts, and showed his versatility by passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Rams offense. His coach, Bob Sax, says this dynamo has what it takes to play at the Division I level. His leadership and mental toughness are attributes any team would love.

Other Golden Rams drawing recruiting interest are guard Sheldon Spaulding from Division II schools and split end/defensive back Davonne Dixon from some Division II and III programs.

Ellet’s Devin Richardson, listed at 5-8, 180 pounds, has been punishing opposing defenses for three seasons and he has the yards to prove it. Richardson was the centerpiece of the Orange offense and rushed for a league-leading 1,401 yards. He has the ability to shed tacklers and a 300-pound bench press to boot.

Richardson, like Gulley, seems to get that extra yard or two when it’s needed most. But surprisingly, Richardson hasn’t generated a lot of interest so far. Ellet coach Joe Yost expects that to change when he distributes highlight videos of Devin’s 2009 season, especially in the last half of the season when Ellet won four of its last five games. He says that’s when Richardson really matured into a quality back. He says Devin may get the attention of MAC schools when they see what he can do.

Other Orangemen who could play in college are wide receiver Josh Wadsworth and 310-pound offensive tackle Brian Cresswell, who transferred to Ellet from St. Vincent-St. Mary for this season.

Buchtel's outstanding running back John Coleman, who led the Griffins to the City Series title, and tackle Eric Kendrick are drawing college recruiting interest from major programs. Coleman has been contacted by several Big East, Conference USA, Big Ten and MAC universities. Michigan State and Illinois reportedly are interested in Coleman.

Kendrick is being recruited by Wisconsin, Georgia and Toledo. Defensive back Desmond McCoy is being pursued by Pittsburgh, while wide receiver Dajon Lewis has interest from Cincinnati and Duke. Center Fred Richardson is being recruited by South Carolina and North Carolina State.

Griffins coach Ricky Powers anticipates all 15 of his seniors could play college ball.

While it's easy to understand why the top offensive performers are getting most of the recruiting attention, there are many City Series players who performed under the radar, but likely to show up on college rosters.

Take East’s tight end and defensive tackle Dazmon Jackson for example. Jackson, at 6-3, 240 pounds, has the ideal size for tight end and is being recruited by Iowa, Iowa State, Purdue, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Kansas. Orientals coach Damon Beasley says Jackson is the "real deal," and could play at the major college level.

Another East product, Mark Bickley, is being recruited mainly by Division III schools as a wide receiver. A possible sleeper is Orientals 6-4, 290-pound offensive lineman Richard Underwood. He’s had early interest from mid-level Division I programs, but Beasley says because of injuries and slower foot speed he may be a better fit at a Division II school.

The North Vikings faded from the win column after a promising start, but North still has some talent. The best of the Vikings is 6-3, 185-pound wide receiver and safety Deron Brown. Coach Ken Johnson says Brown has made a verbal commitment to Louisville.

Wide receiver/defensive back Rayshawn Stevens is being recruited by Wyoming and Toledo. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Stevens at times showed the ability to be a Division I receiver, with some acrobatic receptions.

Other Vikings getting a serious look from college recruiters are the coach's son, Kenny Johnson, who played quarterback and middle linebacker. The athletic Johnson is being wooed by Cincinnati and Bucknell. Wide receiver Isaiah Allison is being recruited by the University of Akron and Mount Union.

Firestone players drawing the most interest from college recruiters are wide receiver and defensive back Jeremy Mingo,with suitors from Columbia, Mount Union and Mercyhurst. Linebacker James Ray is receiving attention from several Division III schools.

Here’s hoping that these players will make the best of their opportunities to not only play football, but continue their education and get that all-important degree.