GARDENA, Calif.—In some circles, George Farmer is considered more talented than his dad, who played for the Los Angeles Rams. What is for sure is that the younger Farmer is one of the top receivers in the 2011 recruiting class.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Farmer is known for his speed for good reason; he’s also a track star at Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, Calif., and clocked the 100 meters in 10.40 seconds at the state championship meet earlier this year.
Serra football coach Scott Altenberg said Farmer is physically gifted, plain and simple.
“He looks like a college football player right now, without a doubt,” Altenberg told The Associated Press.
Farmer had 41 catches for 891 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior for the Cavaliers, who went 15-0 and won the state championship. He also ran for 116 yards and four scores.
Serra, a perennial powerhouse and considered one of the top five teams in California going into this season, also has prized recruits in linebacker Jason Gibson and defensive back Marqise Lee.
Having played on both sides of the ball, Farmer could be considered a prospect at cornerback in college.
Farmer, who has been a prized recruit since his freshman year, is said to be favoring Southern California. His father has said that USC’s recent troubles—the Trojans are out of the postseason for the next two years and have fewer scholarships to give because of NCAA sanctions—have not deterred the younger Farmer.
Farmer’s good friend and fellow Serra receiver Robert Woods is starting for the Trojans this fall, a fact that could influence the ultimate decision.
Other offers have come from all over the Pacific-10 Conference as well as Notre Dame. Farmer has said he’ll make an announcement in January.
In addition to football, Farmer helped Serra’s basketball team to its state championship. The school was the first in California history to win state titles in both sports in the same year.
