Coronado football prospect is still developing, on UNLV’s radar

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, June 16, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Donovan Outlaw’s athleticism was obvious.

When first-year Coronado High football coach Bill Froman saw Outlaw, the Cougars’ senior offensive lineman, playing a basketball pickup game this offseason, it reaffirmed his opinion: Outlaw was a special talent with off-the-chart athleticism.

“Here’s this 6-foot-3, 280-pound kid playing point guard and he’s so smooth,” Froman said. “He’s handling the ball like a point guard and running up and down the court. This kid is for real.”

Froman isn’t the only one who’s high on Outlaw. UNLV football coaches agree.

Saturday, Outlaw received a scholarship offer from UNLV after shining at the Rebels’ big man camp. About 40 linemen attended the camp, and few scholarship offers were extended, signaling Outlaw’s arrival as a Division I recruit.

“It was a great feeling,” Outlaw said. “The coaching staff over there is great. I was honored by the offer.”

At this time last summer, playing college football wasn’t on Outlaw’s radar. Now, colleges are making regular stops at Coronado to evaluate a prospect considered raw in talent but full of potential. He also has an offer from Weber State.

“The kid just turned 17. He’s still developing,” Froman said. “He’s technically not there yet. But he’s super athletic and can get to the third (blocking) level.”

Outlaw has transformed his body in the offseason, adding 30 pounds of bulk thanks to lifting weights aggressively for the first time and a 6,000 calorie per day diet of foods such as oatmeal, eggs and protein shakes.

“The meal plan is ridiculous,” he jokingly said.

But it’s worked.

He maintained his speed and agility while adding the bulk. At a recent scouting event, Outlaw said he ran a 5.1 second 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 185 pounds an impressive 22 times. On Friday nights — the season is about 70 days away — his new look will be beneficial in Coronado’s quest to reach the playoffs for a third straight season.

“I’m going to be a lot more powerful. It will be like I’m a different player on the field,” he said.

Outlaw is also being actively recruited by Southern Utah. Froman said regional schools and those in the Big Sky Conference have also inquired.

Outlaw wasn’t the lone local offered Saturday by UNLV. It also offered Arbor View senior linebacker and tight end Bishop Jones, who despite missing last year with a knee injury is seeing his stock rise with recruiters. He also has an offer from Southern Utah and interest from many others.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21