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July 25, 2010
[h1]Gridiron Kings Day 1 top performers[/h1]
Mike Farrell
Rivals.com Football Recruiting
MORE:
Gridiron Kings: Day 1 photos | Stars hit the field for Gridiron Kings event
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The second annual ESPN Rise Gridiron Kings got underway at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla., on Saturday in typical blistering heat and humidity and numerous prospects made an immediate impression. In drills and one-on-ones, players such as Saginaw, Mich., receiver DeAnthony Arnett gave us a taste of what can be expected in Sunday's 7-on-7 tournament.
Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell breaks down day one's standouts.
Gridiron Kings Day 1 Top Performers
1. WR DeAnthony Arnett
6-0/167, Saginaw, Mich.
Arnett started off strong and never stopped on Saturday, running very precise routes, using double moves and basically running away from defenders. He caught the ball well, separated and was too hard to check. Arnett is also equally effective across the middle of the field on inside routes as he is outside and is a home-run threat every time the ball is snapped. Despite his lack of size, he was hard to press as well as he gets off the line so well and if he continues to play as well as he did day one, he will be one of the Midwest's biggest threats during the tournament.
2. WR Jaxon Shipley
6-0/170, Brownwood, Texas
Shipley was a late replacement, added to the Southwest roster when Jarvis Landry and Donte Moncrief backed out at the last moment, and he instantly made himself at home. No one showed better hands or made more tough catches than Shipley and nothing touches the ground when it's in his area. He's not a speedster but he's quick enough and he sells his routes very well, but his true strength is his ability to bring the ball down even in tight coverage and in awkward positions. Think he learned a thing or two from his older brother?
3. RB Demetrius Hart
5-8/190, Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips
Hart was the most explosive of the running backs at the event on Saturday, showing great upfield burst and a gear that made it nearly impossible for linebackers to stay with him. He's a one-cut runner who will be very dangerous and effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield because he made it look like it came to him naturally in drills and one-on-ones. Running backs aren't often utilized well in 7-on-7 play but Hart could be hard to ignore.
4. WR Brandin Cooks
5-11/165, Stockton (Calif.) Lincoln
Cooks was the surprise of the day, showing why UCLA is so high on him as a slot receiver. He gets off the ball well, hits top speed quickly and he's a waterbug out there, changing direction so suddenly that he's tough to stay with. He is not a big target and looks shorter than his listed 5 feet 11, but he separates so well he's usually wide open and easy to hit in stride. He could be the most consistent weapon for the West.
5. DB Demetrious Nicholson
5-11/167, Virginia Beach (Va.) Bayside
Nicholson does what he always does at events, stay around the ball and never get off balance or take a false step. He drew kudos from opponents in the one-on-ones for his coverage ability and he plays longer than his 5-foot-11 frame and stronger than he appears. He can play press coverage or off, but he somewhat specializes at something between, lining up a yard off his opponent and making first contact to get them off their route. He's simply very smooth and excels in single coverage. He will try to lock down one side for the Midwest on Sunday.
6. TE Nick O'Leary
6-4/215, West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer
O'Leary should have been wiped out after competing at Friday Night Lights the night before and getting little sleep, but he was better on Saturday in Kissimmee than he was in Gainesville. He was more of a downfield threat on Saturday, caught everything thrown his way (he had some drops in Gainesville) and had one of the best catches of the day, a one-handed snag down the sideline in coverage. O'Leary should be a big target for the Southeast on Sunday.
7. DB Marcus Roberson
6-1/170, Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas
Roberson is a rarity, a legit 6-foot-1 cornerback who can actually play the position and excels in single coverage. He's very fluid in his backpedal despite his length, he stops on a dime and breaks to the ball very well. He is at his best keeping receivers in front of him, but he can turn and run if needed and he uses his long arms to play the ball and disrupt receivers. The Southeast secondary looks loaded and he leads the way.
8. DB Josh Atkinson
6-0/180, Livermore (Cali.) Granada
Atkinson's brother, George Atkinson III, has more offers and is ranked higher, but it was Josh who was more effective on Saturday for many reasons. First off, he's a natural cornerback and they do better in one-on-ones overall and secondly he simply saw more action on the first day. Atkinson was very solid in coverage despite giving up a few catches. He was around the ball, reacted well to most routes and came inches away from making a few plays on the ball. His opposite corner, Stefan McClure, was also solid so it's a good 1-2 punch for the West.
9. RB Amir Carlisle
5-10/175, Sunnyvale (Cali.) Kings Academy
Carlisle rocked the goggles on Saturday and earned the nickname "Mini Dickerson" from some of the players he went against who know old school football (no Chuck Muncie mentions though). He is small, super quick and very hard to check in single coverage for linebackers and he has great feet in open space so he can make people miss in 7-on-7 play. It will be interesting to see if the West uses him effectively because he's not a big target, but he can be a weapon.
10. QB Michael Brewer
6-1/175, Austin (Texas) Lake Travis
Brewer was the best of the quarterbacks on the day and it's clear he's from Texas and has played a ton of 7-on-7. He doesn't have the biggest arm and he's certainly not the biggest quarterback (looks closer to 6-0), but he sees the field well, makes the right decisions and was accurate throughout the day. Many have the Southwest as the early favorite simply because Brewster is the most polished of the quarterbacks and seems to be at home in this situation so he will be key.
11. ATH Hasean Clinton-Dix
6-2/190, Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips
Clinton-Dix is a big part of the best overall secondary at the event, teaming on the Southeast with Karlos Williams at safety with Roberson, Nick Waisome and Jonathan Rose a dynamic cornerback threesome. What Clinton-Dix brings to the table is athleticism, range, excellent ball skills and good instincts. He is very rangy, reads the quarterback well and had one of the few interceptions on day one. He covers like a corner with the length and frame of a safety.
12. TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
6-7/250, Gig Harbor, Wash.
Seferian-Jenkins is like Chris Martin last year, a massive kid who comes into the event and passes the eyeball test with flying colors. However, he's a true tight end while Martin was playing out of position last year at times. Seferian-Jenkins is a huge target that is impossible for quarterbacks to miss and if the ball is on the money or in the area, he'll bring it down. He won't run away from many or make anyone miss after the catch, but he's going to be a great weapon for the West, especially in the red zone.
[h1]Gridiron Kings Day 1 top performers[/h1]
Mike Farrell
Rivals.com Football Recruiting
MORE:
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The second annual ESPN Rise Gridiron Kings got underway at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla., on Saturday in typical blistering heat and humidity and numerous prospects made an immediate impression. In drills and one-on-ones, players such as Saginaw, Mich., receiver DeAnthony Arnett gave us a taste of what can be expected in Sunday's 7-on-7 tournament.
Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell breaks down day one's standouts.
Gridiron Kings Day 1 Top Performers
1. WR DeAnthony Arnett
Arnett started off strong and never stopped on Saturday, running very precise routes, using double moves and basically running away from defenders. He caught the ball well, separated and was too hard to check. Arnett is also equally effective across the middle of the field on inside routes as he is outside and is a home-run threat every time the ball is snapped. Despite his lack of size, he was hard to press as well as he gets off the line so well and if he continues to play as well as he did day one, he will be one of the Midwest's biggest threats during the tournament.
2. WR Jaxon Shipley
Shipley was a late replacement, added to the Southwest roster when Jarvis Landry and Donte Moncrief backed out at the last moment, and he instantly made himself at home. No one showed better hands or made more tough catches than Shipley and nothing touches the ground when it's in his area. He's not a speedster but he's quick enough and he sells his routes very well, but his true strength is his ability to bring the ball down even in tight coverage and in awkward positions. Think he learned a thing or two from his older brother?
3. RB Demetrius Hart
Hart was the most explosive of the running backs at the event on Saturday, showing great upfield burst and a gear that made it nearly impossible for linebackers to stay with him. He's a one-cut runner who will be very dangerous and effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield because he made it look like it came to him naturally in drills and one-on-ones. Running backs aren't often utilized well in 7-on-7 play but Hart could be hard to ignore.
4. WR Brandin Cooks
Cooks was the surprise of the day, showing why UCLA is so high on him as a slot receiver. He gets off the ball well, hits top speed quickly and he's a waterbug out there, changing direction so suddenly that he's tough to stay with. He is not a big target and looks shorter than his listed 5 feet 11, but he separates so well he's usually wide open and easy to hit in stride. He could be the most consistent weapon for the West.
5. DB Demetrious Nicholson
Nicholson does what he always does at events, stay around the ball and never get off balance or take a false step. He drew kudos from opponents in the one-on-ones for his coverage ability and he plays longer than his 5-foot-11 frame and stronger than he appears. He can play press coverage or off, but he somewhat specializes at something between, lining up a yard off his opponent and making first contact to get them off their route. He's simply very smooth and excels in single coverage. He will try to lock down one side for the Midwest on Sunday.
6. TE Nick O'Leary
O'Leary should have been wiped out after competing at Friday Night Lights the night before and getting little sleep, but he was better on Saturday in Kissimmee than he was in Gainesville. He was more of a downfield threat on Saturday, caught everything thrown his way (he had some drops in Gainesville) and had one of the best catches of the day, a one-handed snag down the sideline in coverage. O'Leary should be a big target for the Southeast on Sunday.
7. DB Marcus Roberson
Roberson is a rarity, a legit 6-foot-1 cornerback who can actually play the position and excels in single coverage. He's very fluid in his backpedal despite his length, he stops on a dime and breaks to the ball very well. He is at his best keeping receivers in front of him, but he can turn and run if needed and he uses his long arms to play the ball and disrupt receivers. The Southeast secondary looks loaded and he leads the way.
8. DB Josh Atkinson
Atkinson's brother, George Atkinson III, has more offers and is ranked higher, but it was Josh who was more effective on Saturday for many reasons. First off, he's a natural cornerback and they do better in one-on-ones overall and secondly he simply saw more action on the first day. Atkinson was very solid in coverage despite giving up a few catches. He was around the ball, reacted well to most routes and came inches away from making a few plays on the ball. His opposite corner, Stefan McClure, was also solid so it's a good 1-2 punch for the West.
9. RB Amir Carlisle
Carlisle rocked the goggles on Saturday and earned the nickname "Mini Dickerson" from some of the players he went against who know old school football (no Chuck Muncie mentions though). He is small, super quick and very hard to check in single coverage for linebackers and he has great feet in open space so he can make people miss in 7-on-7 play. It will be interesting to see if the West uses him effectively because he's not a big target, but he can be a weapon.
10. QB Michael Brewer
Brewer was the best of the quarterbacks on the day and it's clear he's from Texas and has played a ton of 7-on-7. He doesn't have the biggest arm and he's certainly not the biggest quarterback (looks closer to 6-0), but he sees the field well, makes the right decisions and was accurate throughout the day. Many have the Southwest as the early favorite simply because Brewster is the most polished of the quarterbacks and seems to be at home in this situation so he will be key.
11. ATH Hasean Clinton-Dix
Clinton-Dix is a big part of the best overall secondary at the event, teaming on the Southeast with Karlos Williams at safety with Roberson, Nick Waisome and Jonathan Rose a dynamic cornerback threesome. What Clinton-Dix brings to the table is athleticism, range, excellent ball skills and good instincts. He is very rangy, reads the quarterback well and had one of the few interceptions on day one. He covers like a corner with the length and frame of a safety.
12. TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Seferian-Jenkins is like Chris Martin last year, a massive kid who comes into the event and passes the eyeball test with flying colors. However, he's a true tight end while Martin was playing out of position last year at times. Seferian-Jenkins is a huge target that is impossible for quarterbacks to miss and if the ball is on the money or in the area, he'll bring it down. He won't run away from many or make anyone miss after the catch, but he's going to be a great weapon for the West, especially in the red zone.
Spoiler [+]
July 24, 2010
[h1]Stars hit the field for Gridiron Kings event[/h1]
Brian Perroni
Rivals.com Football Recruiting
Talk about it in The Fort
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Disney Wide World of Sports complex is the gathering place this weekend for 65 of the top class of 2011 prospects in the country. The annual Gridiron Kings event matches 7-on-7 teams from the West, Southwest, Midwest and Southeast in pool play and then a championship game on Sunday.[table][tr][td]
[/td][td]
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Marcus Roberson has been impressive so far.[/td][/tr][/table]After arriving on Friday, the players took the field on Saturday morning for a practice session and many of them were just getting to know their teammates for the event. Recruiting fans would have seen many recognizable faces right away, however.
One particular position stood out.
With one 11 total five-star prospects in the current Rivals rankings, the linebacker group included two of those prospects. Tony Steward of St. Augustine (Fla.) Pedro Menendez is playing with the Southeast squad while Curtis Grant of Richmond (Va.) Hermitage is on the Midwest roster.
Other four-star linebackers at the event include Anthony Wallace of Dallas Skyline, Chet Moss of Cedar Park, Texas, Kent Turene of Lauderdale Lakes (Fla.) Boyd Anderson and Kendall Thompson of Carthage, Texas.
Count Grant as somebody who was impressed with the talent assembled in that group.
"When we went out there with our position groups to start out, everybody was good," he said. "I saw Tony over there and a bunch of other guys that I know. There are a lot of really good players from Texas. It's surprising how many good linebackers there are here."
While 7-on-7 is a format that does not necessarily lend itself well to the skill set of a linebacker, Grant says it shouldn't be a problem this weekend.
"We're out here having fun so it's not too tiring being in coverage all the time," he said. "The speed of the guys is a lot faster than what I'm used to, though. The running back with the goggles (Amir Carlisle), he's pretty good. He caught me on a spin move and woke me up a little bit. I've got to step up my game."
Deep group of DBs
While the linebackers had more of the top names, the defensive back group was easily the deepest position on the field.
The seven top cornerbacks in the latest rankings are all among the 65 participants this weekend. The top safety, Karlos Williams of Davenport (Fla.) Ridge is also in attendance. Four-star athletes Hasean Clinton-Dix of Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips and Quandre Diggs of Angleton, Texas are also playing in the secondary this weekend.
Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback Marcus Roberson, the No. 105 overall player in the country, was one of the most impressive performers on the day. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound defender more than held his own in one-on-one drills.
"I did real well," Roberson said. "I think I only had two balls caught on me. I broke up six of them, I believe. The kid from Texas (Jaxon Shipley), I jammed him at the line and he caught the ball but it was for like one yard. That was one of the two catches on me."
[table][tr][td]
[/td][td]
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Austin Seferian-Jenkins looked the part of the nation's No. 1 tight end.[/td][/tr][/table]Roberson was impressed with the depth in the secondary as well, but he was a bit concerned about his own team.
"The Southeast, we only have three corners and two safeties," he said. "I don't think we're as deep as a lot of the other teams. We're going to have to play a lot.
"There were some really good DBs out here. I didn't know too much about any of them before this. I got in from Friday Night Lights at like midnight, so I didn't really meet anyone before practice. There are some guys out here who can play."
Tight end talent
Two of the nation's top tight ends lived up to their billing on Saturday.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins of Gig Harbor, Wash., is the No. 1 player nationally at the position. The 6-foot-7, 250-pound prospect looks like an athletic offensive tackle from a distance. However, he does not play like one.
The big man from the West squad was one of the most consistent receivers on the day. He found ways to get open against smaller defensive backs in one-on-one drills and showed very good hands. He certainly looks the part of the No. 1 tight end.
West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer's Nick O'Leary is just behind Seferian-Jenkins in the rankings at No. 2 and not much separated the pair on Saturday.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound O'Leary was fresh off a top performance at the University of Florida's Friday Night Lights camp, but still had plenty of energy on Saturday. After dropping a few balls on Friday evening, he proved that was a fluke with his performance the next day.
Rivals250 tight end Chris Barnett of Dallas Maceo Smith missed his flight to Orlando. That left the Southwest squad without a player at the position. However, he will be replaced on Sunday by Cameron Clear of Memphis (Tenn.) Central, another Rivals250 prospect.
Recruiting talk
Though the players have not been in town long, they have already started talking recruiting with each other.
"We've just said what schools we're looking at and everything," Roberson said. "Everybody's talking about it a little bit. There are some guys who are talking up schools, but not too much yet. I'm sure it will change."
Though recruiting was not a huge topic of discussion on Saturday during practice, several players did share a little bit.
[table][tr][td]
[/td][td]
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
[/td][/tr][tr][td]Nick O'Leary's top five includes Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Florida State and Miami.[/td][/tr][/table]To nobody's surprise, Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips four-star running back Demetrius Hart says he is down to a final two. The two programs have been his consistent top pair from early on - Michigan and Alabama.
Though Turene is committed to USC, he says he plans to use his five official visits. Two schools that will receive them are LSU and Georgia. He is unsure of the others. North Carolina four-star athlete commit T.J. Thorpe of Durham (N.C.) Jordan says he may take an official visit to UCLA. He was not able to make it to Friday Night Lights at Florida. Four-star Sicklerville (N.J.) Timber Creek wide receiver Damiere Byrd did make it to Friday Night Lights, however.
O'Leary lists a top five of Alabama, Georgia and three in-state schools - Florida, Florida State and Miami. The grandson of Jack Nicklaus, O'Leary has ties to Georgia as both of his parents attended the school. Though the Gators already have a tight end committed in A.C. Leonard, they are still actively trying to get a commitment from O'Leary as well.
Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson linebacker Ramik Wilson, though currently unranked, was one of the more impressive defenders on Saturday. He lists a top two of Texas Tech and Purdue.
Outside linebacker Aaron Wallace Jr. of San Diego (Calif.) Rancho Bernardo has had two very good NIKE Camp performance this summer, earning MVP honors in Fort Worth. He has since been offered by Texas A&M, UCLA and Washington. Oregon and Stanford could soon throw their hats in the ring as well.
Steward says he plans to take an extended unofficial visit to Florida State next week. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker will be in Tallahassee from Wednesday to Friday.
[h1]Stars hit the field for Gridiron Kings event[/h1]
Brian Perroni
Rivals.com Football Recruiting
Talk about it in The Fort
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Disney Wide World of Sports complex is the gathering place this weekend for 65 of the top class of 2011 prospects in the country. The annual Gridiron Kings event matches 7-on-7 teams from the West, Southwest, Midwest and Southeast in pool play and then a championship game on Sunday.[table][tr][td]
One particular position stood out.
With one 11 total five-star prospects in the current Rivals rankings, the linebacker group included two of those prospects. Tony Steward of St. Augustine (Fla.) Pedro Menendez is playing with the Southeast squad while Curtis Grant of Richmond (Va.) Hermitage is on the Midwest roster.
Other four-star linebackers at the event include Anthony Wallace of Dallas Skyline, Chet Moss of Cedar Park, Texas, Kent Turene of Lauderdale Lakes (Fla.) Boyd Anderson and Kendall Thompson of Carthage, Texas.
Count Grant as somebody who was impressed with the talent assembled in that group.
"When we went out there with our position groups to start out, everybody was good," he said. "I saw Tony over there and a bunch of other guys that I know. There are a lot of really good players from Texas. It's surprising how many good linebackers there are here."
While 7-on-7 is a format that does not necessarily lend itself well to the skill set of a linebacker, Grant says it shouldn't be a problem this weekend.
"We're out here having fun so it's not too tiring being in coverage all the time," he said. "The speed of the guys is a lot faster than what I'm used to, though. The running back with the goggles (Amir Carlisle), he's pretty good. He caught me on a spin move and woke me up a little bit. I've got to step up my game."
Deep group of DBs
While the linebackers had more of the top names, the defensive back group was easily the deepest position on the field.
The seven top cornerbacks in the latest rankings are all among the 65 participants this weekend. The top safety, Karlos Williams of Davenport (Fla.) Ridge is also in attendance. Four-star athletes Hasean Clinton-Dix of Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips and Quandre Diggs of Angleton, Texas are also playing in the secondary this weekend.
Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback Marcus Roberson, the No. 105 overall player in the country, was one of the most impressive performers on the day. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound defender more than held his own in one-on-one drills.
"I did real well," Roberson said. "I think I only had two balls caught on me. I broke up six of them, I believe. The kid from Texas (Jaxon Shipley), I jammed him at the line and he caught the ball but it was for like one yard. That was one of the two catches on me."
[table][tr][td]
"The Southeast, we only have three corners and two safeties," he said. "I don't think we're as deep as a lot of the other teams. We're going to have to play a lot.
"There were some really good DBs out here. I didn't know too much about any of them before this. I got in from Friday Night Lights at like midnight, so I didn't really meet anyone before practice. There are some guys out here who can play."
Tight end talent
Two of the nation's top tight ends lived up to their billing on Saturday.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins of Gig Harbor, Wash., is the No. 1 player nationally at the position. The 6-foot-7, 250-pound prospect looks like an athletic offensive tackle from a distance. However, he does not play like one.
The big man from the West squad was one of the most consistent receivers on the day. He found ways to get open against smaller defensive backs in one-on-one drills and showed very good hands. He certainly looks the part of the No. 1 tight end.
West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer's Nick O'Leary is just behind Seferian-Jenkins in the rankings at No. 2 and not much separated the pair on Saturday.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound O'Leary was fresh off a top performance at the University of Florida's Friday Night Lights camp, but still had plenty of energy on Saturday. After dropping a few balls on Friday evening, he proved that was a fluke with his performance the next day.
Rivals250 tight end Chris Barnett of Dallas Maceo Smith missed his flight to Orlando. That left the Southwest squad without a player at the position. However, he will be replaced on Sunday by Cameron Clear of Memphis (Tenn.) Central, another Rivals250 prospect.
Recruiting talk
Though the players have not been in town long, they have already started talking recruiting with each other.
"We've just said what schools we're looking at and everything," Roberson said. "Everybody's talking about it a little bit. There are some guys who are talking up schools, but not too much yet. I'm sure it will change."
Though recruiting was not a huge topic of discussion on Saturday during practice, several players did share a little bit.
[table][tr][td]
Though Turene is committed to USC, he says he plans to use his five official visits. Two schools that will receive them are LSU and Georgia. He is unsure of the others. North Carolina four-star athlete commit T.J. Thorpe of Durham (N.C.) Jordan says he may take an official visit to UCLA. He was not able to make it to Friday Night Lights at Florida. Four-star Sicklerville (N.J.) Timber Creek wide receiver Damiere Byrd did make it to Friday Night Lights, however.
O'Leary lists a top five of Alabama, Georgia and three in-state schools - Florida, Florida State and Miami. The grandson of Jack Nicklaus, O'Leary has ties to Georgia as both of his parents attended the school. Though the Gators already have a tight end committed in A.C. Leonard, they are still actively trying to get a commitment from O'Leary as well.
Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson linebacker Ramik Wilson, though currently unranked, was one of the more impressive defenders on Saturday. He lists a top two of Texas Tech and Purdue.
Outside linebacker Aaron Wallace Jr. of San Diego (Calif.) Rancho Bernardo has had two very good NIKE Camp performance this summer, earning MVP honors in Fort Worth. He has since been offered by Texas A&M, UCLA and Washington. Oregon and Stanford could soon throw their hats in the ring as well.
Steward says he plans to take an extended unofficial visit to Florida State next week. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker will be in Tallahassee from Wednesday to Friday.
