By Matt Zenitz

City College High School star Adrian Coxson has everything you look for in a wide receiver.

Blessed with prototypical size and speed, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Coxson, who has been timed as fast as 4.45 in the 40-yard dash, has been ranked among the top 105 players nationally by ESPN and Scout.com. The latter has him ranked as a five-star recruit and one of the top 10 receivers in the country.

Despite having scholarship offers from schools like Maryland, Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma, among others, Coxson verbally committed to Penn State last April. However, he is leaving his options open and plans to take his official visits before making a final decision.

"In college, I'm going to be able to stretch the field and play multiple roles," Coxson said. "I'm just going to have to see where I feel most comfortable and what team is going to help me get to the highest level."

Coxson, who is actually starting at quarterback this year, accounted for eight touchdowns over City's first three games (five rushing, three passing), rushing for 476 yards and more than 10 yards per carry. He led the Knights to a 4-0 start, but suffered a shoulder injury Sept. 25 in a 47-0 win over Walbrook, and City dropped its next two games. Coxson was out for the loss to Dunbar, but came back against Patterson Oct. 10, racking up 374 total yards (254 passing, 120 rushing), albeit in a losing effort.

While the stats are nice, Coxson isn't worried about the individual side to things and is solely focused on doing anything he can to help his team win.

"The season has been going really well," Coxson said. "We're trying to chase a dream and win a state championship. I'm just trying to help my team and help the people around me get better."

Even with the team-first mentality, Coxson has managed to establish himself firmly as one of the top talents in the country. He has competed in several national camps, going toe-to-toe with the top corners in the country, while also getting a chance to work with other top receivers.

Coxson has also been aided by the guidance of two NFL receivers -- the Ravens' Mark Clayton and former City star and current Detroit Lion Bryant Johnson.

"Getting input from a person in the NFL is [invaluable]," Coxson said. "If I can learn the things that Mark and Bryant know now, when I get to the college level, it will be a lot easier.

"They're on the level that I want to be on. Seeing what they're able to do, and seeing how they play just makes me want to be better and work even harder."

One thing is for sure, Coxson certainly has lofty career goals.

"I want to win a national championship in college," Coxson said. "Then, I want to make it to the NFL, be a top 10 pick and go to the Hall of Fame."

Issue 142: October 2009