Monday, July 16, 2012

#NUC #U100 Midwest - Top Performers - Day 2: Class of 2014


U100 Midwest - Top Performers - Day 2: Class of 2014
Photo by: National Underclassmen Football Combine

U100 Midwest - Top Performers - Day 2: Class of 2014

Courtesy: Barry Every / National Underclassmen Combine           Release: July 11, 2012
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Indianapolis, Indiana- This past Saturday over 200 athletes from around the nation's bread basket took part in the MW Ultimate100. As the temperature spiked at 105 degrees the over 200 rising juniors forged ahead keeping the competitive juices flowing all day long. Each invitation only prospect took part in testing, individual position work, one-on-ones, and the 7-on-7 tournament. At the end of the day the following prospects listed below were the ones that caught the eye of NUC National Analyst Barry Every. Each prospect was evaluated on their effort and potential to play college football at the next level.
Tony Allen, DB, Ben Davis, IN
Testing: 5-8, 150, 4.66 40, 4.19 shuttle, 30.5-inch vertical, 19x155-pounds
Assets: Allen is quicker than a South Georgia Gnat and has hips on a swivel. This skill set allowed him to stay stride for stride with every receiver in the camp. It also presented him with the opportunity to make plays on the ball. And though he is fairly skinny at this time he still has good strength for his size and the position. Allen made his mark in 7-on-7 shutting down his side of the field in the tournament. In the end he was awarded DB MVP.
Development: He really needs to add about 20-pounds of muscle mass over the next two seasons. This will help him in run support and battling bigger receivers. Right now his size limits him to the boundary corner or the short side of the field
Junior Berry, OL/DL, Terre Haute South, IN
Testing: 6-2, 300, 29x185-pounds
Assets: This massive two-way lineman has the size, strength and girth to project on either side of the ball. Berry took reps at offensive guard and defensive tackle during the lineman challenge. He used his natural pad level and strength to get up underneath opponents winning the battle for leverage at the line of scrimmage. He also proved to be very coachable and willing to learn new techniques. His superior effort earned him OL MVP.
Development: There is little doubt about him projecting as an interior offensive lineman at the FBS level. But I really think his width and strength may lend itself best as a noise guard in college. He possesses the strength and low center of gravity that allows him to take on more than one blocker.
Lucas Bezerra, TE, Troy Athens, MI
Testing: 6-3, 210, 4.48 shuttle, 27.5-inch vertical, 17x155-pounds
Assets: Bezerra really passes the eyeball test for a young hybrid TE/WR. Early on during individual position work he flashed the ability to catch the ball at its highest point. He is also a very good route runner using a solid plant foot to make sharp cuts and create space. Bezerra also has a nice frame that will allow him to add serious muscle mass over the next two years. He ended up being the easy choice for TE MVP.
Development: He needs to get a bit nastier when trying to create space over the middle of the field. Bezerra has to be more aggressive so he can make catches even when not open. There is little doubt that he can make the tough catch; now just demand the ball with your presence.
Daniel Cage, DL, Winton Woods, OH
Testing: 6-1-1/2, 271, 5.21 40, 4.67 shuttle, 25x185-pounds
Assets: Cage was the best looking defensive prospect on the hoof regardless of position in this camp. He has long muscular arms, a thick upper body, and a power base ideal for playing both strong side defensive end and defensive tackle. During the one-on-ones he came off the ball hard using his arms to keep offensive lineman off his body. He also demonstrated more than one pass-rushing technique during the lineman challenge which kept the offensive lineman guessing. He is an expert at getting less athletic OL's to move their feet then he counters with a quick move inside making a B-Line to the signal caller. Cage was a no brainer for DL MVP.
Development: It is little wonder that Cage already has offers from Cincinnati and Illinois. If he continues to impress on the camp circuit he will surely quadruple his offer list before his junior season ever starts. This young athlete really just needs to stay focused on being the best.
Tanner Farmer, OL, Highland, IL
Testing: 6-3, 274, 5.49 40, 4.91 shuttle, 28-inch vertical, 37x185-pounds, 9-0 BJ
Assets: Farmer was the best looking offensive player regardless of position. He has no bad body weight and is a freakish athlete for his size. His testing numbers were off the charts as he earned Combine King for Lineman. His size and strength just overpowered the majority of defenders he faced during the one-on-ones. He is a natural hip and knee bender and is very light on his feet. Farmer was the only lineman that beat Cage in a one-on-one match up. Not only was he considered the best offensive lineman in the camp the coaches honored him with the highest award Overall MVP.
Development: As good as farmer was and will be he still has not put it all together yet. Once he refines his pass set and powerful punch into a perfect symmetry of motion he will become possibly one of the top interior offensive line prospects in the entire country.
Trea Ivey, WR, Niagara Prep, ON, Canada
Testing: 5-9, 165, 4.36 shuttle, 26-inch vertical
Assets: You can study testing numbers till your blue in the face, but if it does not transpose itself on the field of play what good is it? Ivey was one athlete that just seems to be born with that innate ability to be where the ball is at all times. Not only does he run perfect routes and create separation right off the snap of the ball. He also has the hands and athletic ability to get vertical in a blink of an eye. This Canadian footballer was also impressive on the defensive side of the ball picking off several passes throughout the day. A few of which he returned to the house during 7-on-7. Ivey truly epitomized the definition of the Dodie Donnell Award for his on the field play.
Development: Ivey needs to work on improving those testing numbers a bit. Unfortunately too many college coaches get caught up in the numbers game and not the body of work. He also needs to continue a good camp circuit to increase his visibility to college coaches here in the states.
Chris James, RB, Notre Dame Prep, IL
Testing: 5-10-1/2, 195, 4.45 40, 4.19 shuttle, 33-inch vertical, 23x155-pounds, 9-3 BJ
Assets: James possesses every physical characteristic a college coach desires in a running back. He has the size to play on every down and the speed to hit the homerun at any time. He proved to be impossible to cover during the one-on-one portion of the camp using superior change of direction and soft hands to haul passes in. Not only was he the Fastest Man of the day he also won RB MVP. Oh, Yeah he is also a high character kid with grades so offer him now before it's too late.
Development: He recently put up his sophomore video on HUDL. James now needs to get his highlights into the hands of BCS running back coaches and recruiting coordinators. If he stays focused on being the best than that is what will happen for this powerful back.
Christopher Thompson, DB, Voise Academy, IL
Testing: 5-8, 180, 4.6 40, 4.52 shuttle, 32.5-inch vertical, 34x155-pounds, 10-5 BJ
Assets: Thompson may not be the tallest corner but he surely passes the eyeball test. He is ripped from head to toe and has the lower body strength to become a stalwart stopping the running game. He is physical at the point of attack and loves to steer receivers off their intended routes. Thompson also has above average ball skills for a defensive player and the testing numbers that college coach's desire.
Development: He will need to work on his flexibility just a tad because he is so muscular. This will help him flip his hips faster so he can run side by side with the receiver. Outside of that he is one tough hombre in my opinion which is ideal for a cornerback.
Malik Turner, WR, Sacred Heart-Griffin, IL
Testing: 6-2, 202, 4.58 40, 4.26 shuttle, 29.5-inch vertical, 20x155-pounds
Assets: This receiver has some serious size which causes troubles for smaller defensive backs. His size affords him the opportunity to go across the middle without fear. But what really sets this receiver apart from the pack is his ability to snatch the ball out of the air like a frog snapping its prey. After the catch he has the ability to shake and bake causing defenders to whiff as they try to corral him. His skill set will allow him to player several positions and while being a force in the running game. Turner ended up the sensible choice for WR MVP.
Development: Turner is a very humble player that doesn't run his mouth but lets his body of work speak for itself. Though I love that about him I would like to see him demand the ball more so he can work his magic and take over the game.
Other Top Performers: Stefan Beard, OL, Orr, IL; James Butler, RB, St. Francis, IL; Carrington Crutcher, RB, Evansville Bosse, IN; Drake Ewing, LB, MVP, Holton, KS; Joshua Flye, WR, Brother Rice, MI; Derek Gray, Jr., RB, St. Joe Central, MO; Nick Griffith, WR, Combine King Skill, Park Hill South, MO; Isaac Harker, QB MVP, Lebanon, IN; Blake Hooper, DL, Strongest Man Line, Taylorville, IL; Brandon Mason, RB, Belleville East, IL; Isaac Maurer, QB, Granville, OH; Justin Mikeworth, LB, Strongest Man Skill, Moroa-Forsyth, IL; Edward Nixon, OL, Leadership Award, Indian Trail, WI.

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