LEMOORE - David Ausberry struggles to name the colleges which have shown interest in his football prowess.

There are just too many to remember.

"USC, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, everybody,'' Ausberry says.

Ausberry's physical appearance alone is enough to raise eyebrows of college recruiters. He stands 6-foot-5, weighs 212 pounds - the epitome of the "big wide receiver,'' following the mold of 6-3, 225-pound Terrell Owens and 6-4, 210-pound Randy Moss.

Throw in the fact that Ausberry can run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds - and that he's broken most of Lemoore High's receiving records before his senior season - and he's bound to become what recruiters call a "blue-chipper.''

Ausberry is only a junior, so it'll be a several weeks before colleges can legally initiate the all-out recruiting blitz. But he knows it's coming.

So does Lemoore athletic director Thom Sembritzki, who became familiar with the recruiting process when he was the Tigers' head football coach.

Sembritzki had four players - Lorenzo Neal, Charlie and Tommy Jones, and Josh Kloster - who drew the attention of Division I recruiters before signing on at Fresno State.

But with Ausberry, there will be more letters, more phone calls, more visits.

"It's going to be stressful for him,'' Sembritzki said. "The phone's never going to stop ringing.''

Ausberry is determined not to be swayed by all the attention, although he said it strengthens his resolve to become a better player.

"I don't let it get to me,'' Ausberry said. "I just try to stay the same, and do what I normally do.''

Athletically, Ausberry said improving his speed is his main goal.

When all is said and done, Ausberry could end up being the most heavily recruited football player in Kings Coun-ty history.

Ironically, he's gained more accolades as a basketball player. He recently captured West Yosemite League player-of-the-year honors for the second year in a row.

But Ausberry - also a standout sprinter and long jumper for Lemoore's track team - has known for quite some time that football would be his main sport.

"I've always liked it, I've been playing it since I was 9 years old,'' he said. "It's what I'm best at.''

A starter on the Lemoore varsity basketball player since he was a freshman, Ausberry has become something of a celebrity.

"Mostly, it's little kids who come up to you,'' he said. "It makes you want to do a lot better.''

(The sports editor may be reached at jmatsune@pulitzer.net.)

(April 8, 2005)