NUC Phoenix Junior Day Article:Juniors Highly Impressive at Apache!

Juniors Highly Impressive at Apache!

Junior year is unquestionably the most important for a high school athlete. Scouts are watching closely, critiquing everything that they see. Naturally, this adds immense pressure to players who are one year away from college. While being under the microscope is far from fun, the juniors at Apache Junction HS came up big time when it mattered most.

From start to finish, the combine was nothing short of sensational. The 135+ athletes on hand knew what they needed to do in order to get the recognition on the next level, performing at an all-time high level.

The Overall MVP DJ Hubbard was a returning athlete. He put up huge numbers last year but amazingly, surpassed them in 10’. Undersized but far from lacking skills at 5’5.5 152, Hubbard had a Lebron James-esque 35 inch vertical, 10’2 broad jump, ran a 4.28 shuttle, 4.38 40 and did a great job during 1 on 1’s. Sure, he isn’t as big as your typical D-1 player, but it would be a tragedy if he didn’t get an offer.

Deaunte Jefferson and Martwon Weaver – teammates at Marcos De Niza HS – and Julien Singleton of Centennial HS shared the WR MVP. All three were terrific athletes, jumping 9’1 or higher with 30+ inch verticals, in addition to having good quickness. The talented trio was exceptional during 1 on 1’s, while Weaver also took home the WR MVP, beating out other rising stars like Fairfax HS’ Walter Wallace. Impressive to say the least.

Vegas Johnson was right on the money at the combine, taking home the RB MVP. The Centennial HS standout ran a 4.66 shuttle, 4.63 40 and did a tremendous job during the individual period. Johnson’s first name is perfect and if he makes it big time, you can’t help but to think he will become a fan favorite.

Moon Valley HS’ Vivi Teofilo and Mountain View’s Sam Kemp were the best big men of the session, taking home the OL and DL MVP’s respectively. Teofilo, 6’2.5 258, bench pressed 185 lbs 29 times and had surprising quickness for a player his size, holding the opposing linemen down. Much like his counterpart, Kemp had good quickness (he ran a 4.66 shuttle) for a 6’4 230 lber and wrecked havoc during the 1 on 1’s in addition to bench pressing 185 lbs 17 times.

Saftey DeAnthony Easley made look exactly that en route to nabbing the DB MVP. A terrific athlete at 5’8 180, Easley had a 30 inch vertical, 8’7 broad jump, ran a 4.57 40 and was a menace during 1 on 1’s. Easley’s quickness, explosiveness and ability to read the offense created plenty of frustrations at the other side of the ball. He is definitely a player worth keeping an eye on.

Hunter Long was the top linebacker, thus came up with the LB MVP. The 6’2 222 lb Long has an aggressive style and did a great job of holding the RB’s in check during 1 on 1’s. This kid is clearly a tackle machine.

Much like the WR slot, the TE’s stepped onto the field to compete as if there were no tomorrow.

Chrisdeon Ayiyi (Apollo HS) and Alex Hernandez (Fairfax) split the MVP honors, as each excelled during the individual periods. The 6’0 191 lb Ayiyi, although more of a wide receiver, runs good routes and has soft hands, while Hernandez, 5’11.5 201, has excellent speed. Great to see a finesse and power style TE both take center stage.

While he had the aforementioned TE’s and WR’s guiding him, Queen Creek HS’ Adam Brzeczek was far from just a QB with good surrounding players. Brzecek, the QB MVP, was an accurate passer with a great drop step and had excellent confidence. Most 16-17 year old QB’s simply can’t make that claim.

Finally, Estrella Foothills HS’ Michael Bentley is a physical specimen. At 5’11.5 280, Bentley bench pressed 185 lbs 36 times and is a monster of a man on the offensive line.

This combine was simply one for the ages! If the play continues to be at a level this high throughout the 2010 season, I can only imagine how many future D-1 stars we will see.