Please pardon Ponderosa's Jon Major for feeling as though he will be touting a bull's-eye on his Mustangs jersey this season.

After all, with the national attention he is receiving as a linebacker, it will be hard for opponents or fans to miss him on the football field.

Major, a 6-foot-3, 225-pounder, has been tabbed by several national publications as the No. 1 recruit in Colorado this season, as well as the No. 1-rated strong-side linebacker in the country.

"There are a lot of high expectations this season for me and for our team," said Major, who churns 4.5 seconds in the 40- yard dash.

"As a team, we can do great things. We might be kind of under the radar, but that's not bad. For me, sometimes I get the feeling of being a bull's-eye, but it's something that I have to live with."

It's hard to believe Major, 17, will let anyone down this season as he hopes to help Ponderosa improve on its 5-5 finish last season.

The team captain and defensive most valuable player was all over the field in making 108 tackles - that included 16 for loss - causing three fumbles and breaking up seven passes. He also had an interception.

Major's performance last season, which earned him all-state honors, came after a 108-tackle season as a sophomore.

Colleges from across the country have made contact, and Major has narrowed his choices to Colorado, Michigan, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Adding to Major's profile, he already has been invited to play in the ESPNU High School All-American Football Game in January.

"He has been amazing with all the attention he has been getting," second-year coach Randy Huff said. "The flexibility we have with Jon is that we can play him anywhere on the field. I love the way he runs, side to side, and he always knows where he is on the field.

"I can't think of any drawbacks with this young man, other than his not having any younger brothers."

Although Major largely has been on defense during his career, Huff said he could use him at tight end or H-back this season.

"I really haven't played end much since little league," said Major, who also plays on the Ponderosa baseball team. "But I have kind of dabbled at end. We'll just have to see what happens and what coach says."

Speaking of coaches, one might say Major has three on the sidelines. His father, Ken, is a Ponderosa assistant, and his sophomore sister, Jessica, is one of the team managers.

"Dad has been a big influence on me, as he has gone through all of this before," Major said. "Mom (Stephanie) is the one who is pretty calm about all this. She gives her input and certainly keeps me organized."

It's from Jessica, though, who Major gets a little sideline relief.

"It is kind of a unique situation as a sister," said Jessica, who plays lacrosse at Ponderosa. "It's great to be on the sidelines. I can give him a pat on the back or squirt him (with water).

"I like my position with the team, being able to help the guys and coach Huff and to sometimes stand with Jon."

Right now, there are a lot of teammates who also like to stand with Major.

stockers@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5275