Photo by: National Underclassmen Football Combine
Barry's Top Performers - The Defense -NUC Five Star Florida Showcase
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| Orlando, Florida - The National Underclassmen held its first of eight Five-star Showcases this past Saturday at Jones High School in Orlando. Over 100 invite-only participants took part in this camp in front of the watchful eyes of several recruiting services. It is safe to say that about 30% to 40% of the participants in this camp will eventually sign either FBS or FCS scholarships next February. Below are just some of the defensive performers that caught the eye of NUC Director of Player analysis Barry Every. |
Defensive Line
 | Khairi Clark, Chaminade, FL (2014) Official Size: 6-1-1/2, 305 Assets: Clark has the overall size needed to clog up the middle and bring the running game to a standstill. He also has excellent strength which will be needed to take on more than one offensive lineman at a time. There was little doubt that he has all the qualities to play defensive tackle or nose guard at the next level. He did a great job with his pad level and proved to be a high energy performer. Clark was easily the top underclassmen prospect in this camp. Development: He needs to work on his conditioning just a tad while keeping his current size and strength. This will allow him to become an every down performer rather than just a situational player at the next level. Clark could also work on using his hands to keep offensive lineman off his body and learning to play half a man rather than bull rushing his way to the quarterback. |
 | Nathaniel Obinwa, Olympia, FL (2013) Official Size: 6-2-1/2, 215 Assets: The first thing that sticks out about this defender is his frame; which looks ideal for a hybrid LB/DE. Obinwa can easily hold another 30 pounds while keeping his quickness coming off the edge. Though raw at this time he excelled as an outside pass rusher and was very coachable. You couple that with his 29 on the ACT and that will open a lot of doors. Once college coaches eyeball Obinwa and look at his transcript offers will come pouring in. Development: The obvious is adding more muscle mass and strength in order to take on offensive tackles at the next level. The flip side to that is can he learn to backpedal and move in space in order to play outside linebacker? Offers: Southern |
Running Backs
 | Devyn Salmon, Plant City, FL (2013) Official Size: 6-0-1/2, 277 Assets: This gridiron beast had little to no bad body weight meaning he can still add another 20 pounds of solid muscle mass and look sleek. Salmon was very quick off the ball and athletic for an interior defensive lineman. He also had a high motor and a “no fear” attitude during the one-on-ones. His body type may also lend itself to projecting as a defensive end in the 3-4 defense. It was really hard to believe that no offers have been tendered his way yet. Development: Salmon needs to work on playing under control and not over extending himself in a way that exposes his backside to being battered by offensive lineman. He does not have the ideal length to play defensive end in the 4-3 defense and may be better suited as a three technique. |
 | Stacy Thomas, Gulliver Prep, FL (2013) Official Size: 6-1, 233 Assets: Thomas proved to be unstoppable in the lineman one-on-ones. He comes off the ball low and hard and uses his arms as mediaeval weaponry to keep offensive lineman off his body. Thomas proved to be very coachable and competes with a dragster motor engine. Most of his athletic feats are accomplished because of his superior powerbase. His efforts did not go unnoticed as he walked away with the DL MVP. Development: Thomas does not have the ideal height that some colleges desire in a defensive end. He may best be suited for playing outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. One thing is for sure though his frame can easily add another 25 pounds so he will have the strength to play defensive end in college Offers: Bowling Green, Duke, Florida, FSU, Georgia Tech, Louisville, LSU, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia. |
Linebackers
 | Harry Brown, Largo, FL (2013) Official Size: 5-10-1/2, 195 Assets: Brown is a high school defensive end that is making the transition to linebacker. After watching his cover skills during the two-on-twos it was hard to believe he hadn’t been playing linebacker his whole life. He clearly demonstrated the hips and speed to turn and run with any running back in the camp. Brown was also very physical at the line of scrimmage mauling smaller backs by not allowing them to run their intended routes with a powerful jam. Development: Can he gain enough weight while maintaining the athleticism to play linebacker at the next level? He may best project as a strong safety as he proved to have the cover skills needed for that position. Trust me when I say it is not ability or effort that is keeping this player from tallying DI offers. |
 | Tevin Floyd, Florida, FL (2013) Official Size: 6-1, 215 Assets: Floyd most assuredly passes the eyeball test with excellent overall body structure and very long arms. He looked very athletic for his size going through agility drills demonstrating excellent lateral movement and quickness. During the one-on-ones he was at his best staying low in his back pedal permitting him to pounce out and make plays on the ball. Development: Floyd needs to work on using his long arms to jam backs at the line of scrimmage. He cannot allow them to get into their intended route immediately off the snap of the ball. |
 | Justin North, Freedom, FL (2013) Official Size: 6-0, 215 Assets: North already has excellent overall size and could project either inside or outside at the next level. He proved very agile during individual drill work flashing quick feet and hips on a swivel. During one-on-ones it was his physicality at the line of scrimmage that separated him from other linebacker prospects in this camp. Look for his stock to take off with a good spring camp circuit. He is another linebacker that definitely passes the eyeball test. Development: North could work on shifting some of his body weight around which may further improve his overall athleticism. He can work on staying lower in his backpedal while keeping his feet squared up underneath his shoulders thus improving his balance. |
 | Anthony Walker, Jr., Monsignor Pace, FL (2013) Official Size: 6-1, 204 Assets: Simply put this gridiron giant’s performance left most coaches slack jawed. For the longest time most coaches watching the two-on-twos thought he was a cover safety or even a giant corner. He was physical at the line of scrimmage and had the sweetest backpedal which allowed him to continually make plays on the ball. His body structure was superior to almost every other competitor in the camp. Walker could easily project as an outside linebacker or even a safety at the next level. He was easily the top performer at this camp earning him Overall MVP. Development: It is mind boggling that he only has one BCS offer at this time. I’m willing to bet that he is a Top25 player in Sunshine State. Walker will need to add muscle mass to play linebacker in college but that will come with time and physical maturation. Offers: Purdue |
Defensive Backs
 | Barry Higdon, Northeast, FL (2013) Official Size: 6-3, 180 Assets: The first thing that stands out about Higdon is his height and length. His frame may permit him to grow into a rangy outside linebacker. He did a good job for a tall defensive back staying low in his backpedal which allowed him to make plays on the ball. Higdon can cover a ton of real estate with his elegant long strides. Look for his stock to rise very soon. Development: Higdon can work on getting his hips turned around quicker allowing him to run stride for stride with receivers on long routes. Right now he is at his best in off man coverage and will need to work a bit on press man if he wants to project as a player in the defensive secondary. |
 | Sanchez Lofton, Vanguard, FL (2013) Official Size: 5-9-1/2, 173 Assets: Lofton has good size for a true cover corner considering he has one more year left in high school. He proved to have hips on a swivel and excellent ball skills. He stays low and balanced in his backpedal which allows him to pounce out like an Ocelot claiming its prey. Lofton had one of the best interceptions of the day which only motivated all the defensive backs in the camp to work harder. Lofton was given serious consideration for the Defensive Back MVP award. Development: Lofton can work on adding more muscle mass and strength which will help him battle bigger receivers. The best way to stop giant receivers is to take them off their intended route off the line of scrimmage. |
| | Blake McClain, Winter Park, FL (2013) Official Size: 5-10-1/2, 180 Assets: I first noticed McClain during the agility stations. He was able to backpedal and change directions while keeping perfect balance. His skill set allowed him to make plays on the ball during two-on-twos as he probably had the most pass breakups in the camp. McClain also continued to compete with ferocious veracity even though it appeared he may have had a hamstring issue. His efforts did not go unnoticed as he walked away with the DB MVP award. Development: McClain has ideal size for playing corner at the next level. He does need to work on his recovery speed just a tad. If he can’t play corner he will most likely project as a cover safety at the next level. Offers: USF |
Other Top Performers:
| A.J. Coney, DB (Leadership Award), Oviedo, FL (2013); Evan Harvey, LB MVP, Dwyer, FL (2013); Haiden Nagel, LB, Sickles, FL (2013); Dennis Roberts, DB, Northeast, FL (2013). |
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