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May 2, 2005

Mike Farrell
Recruiting Analyst

State College, Pa. - The NIKE Camp at State College, Pa. was a talent-laden event with plenty of big names. However, it was also about the players that no one heard about before the camp but are the subject of message board posts all over the network now. While the quarterbacks were the talk heading in, it was the defensive backs that left the longest-lasting impression.

Quarterback - The quarterbacks looked to me to be a bit nervous and tight, at least the bigger names. Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt quarterback Jeremy Ricker showed more zip on the ball than Exton (Pa.) Downington East signal-caller Pat Devlin but both were inconsistent overall, throwing great passes followed by balls that sailed a bit. Devlin's mobility has improved even more than in the past in my eyes (and he was mobile enough before) while Ricker looked a legit 6-foot-3 to me and is filled out. Would have been nice to see Zach Frazer from Mechanicsburg, Pa. throw, but the kid looks the part off the bus at least - he looked like a linebacker. Andrew Robinson from Baltimore (Md.) Calvert Hall impresses me each time I see him, he's solid and throws with zip and accuracy. A lot of sleepers emerged as well including Mark Verica (Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, Pa.), Connor Dixon (South Park High School in Pittsburgh, Pa.), Ben Ganter, Brad Phillips (Franklin Area High School in Export, Pa.), Mychal Skinner (Kiski Area High School in Vandergrift, Pa.) and Kevan Smith (Seneca Valley High School in Harmony, Pa.).

Running backs - Aside from Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt tailback LeSean McCoy, who is in his own class in my book, running backs Benjamin Tate (Snow Hill High School in Newark, Md.), Dorin Dickerson (West Alleghany High School in Imperial, Pa.) and Andre Boone (Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Va.) stood out to me. It's hard to judge the running backs because they can't do as much, but it wasn't a deep group overall in my opinion.

Wide receivers - In my opinion, Staten Island (N.Y.) Moore Catholic wide out Vidal Hazelton was the best receiver followed by sophomore Arrelious Benn from Washington (D.C.) Dunbar and New Hampshire (New Hampton Prep) sleeper Warren Wilson. Hazelton looked big and smooth in one-on-one drills and ran some great patterns while I think Benn is a potential five-star for next year. Wilson was the fastest wideout in my eyes when it came to football speed. Baltimore (Md.) City College wide receiver Sheldon Bell is a tall wide out who surprised me a bit. Greenbelt (Md.) Eleanor Roosevelt athlete Nico Scott was the best overall athlete I saw on the day and fellow Maryland stud Drew Gloster (Good Counsel High School) will be a tight end or linebacker in college, he's filling out quickly. Pittsburgh (Pa.) Woodland Hills skyscraper Wesley Lyons impressed some folks more than me. He looked very thin and a bit gangly to me and needs to fill out.

Tight Ends - Plenty of tight end types on hand, at least based on the eyeball test. Edensburg (Pa.) Bishop Carroll big man Jeff Minemyer gets taller every time I see him and looked pretty good in drills. The Smith kids from Maryland (Andre Smith from Seneca Valley and Brian Smith from Hereford, no relation) both looked solid but worked mostly with the defensive ends. Two 2007 kids I liked are Williamsville (N.Y.) Williamsville North tight end Rob Gronkowski and State College, Pa. athlete Nathan Stupar, who both have older brothers who play tight end in the ACC.

Offensive and Defensive Line -In the trenches, I was blown away by Lebanon, Pa. freak of nature Jared Odrick. Last week Antonio Logan-El from Forestville, Md. was the best tackle I'd seen so far this year and Odrick is best defensive lineman I've seen so far as well. Odrick's combination of size, quickness and tenacity was unmatched to these eyes.

To steal a line from one college coach, Clinton (Md.) Gwynn Park stud Phillip Taylor could be this year's Callahan Bright. Long Island (N.Y.) St. Anthony's standout John-Kevin Dolce passed the eyeball test and looked like a hard worker while Ellicott City (Md.) Mr. Hebron rush end Aaron Maybin was the most agressive defensive lineman I saw. Kid is thin but gave every offensive lineman an extra smack here and there in drills and one-on-ones. Red Bank, N.J. monster Darryll Jackson is a load, he looked to weigh around 330 pounds like Taylor but didn't look to have the same burst. The offensive line had a lot of kids with bad bodies but good technique like Hamilton Square (N.J.) Lawrenceville Prep tackle Keith Hill and Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt big man Tucker Baumbach. Pittsburgh (Pa.) Gateway guard Chris Hanna looked good as well, but he needs to drop a few pounds.

Linebackers - Gaithersburg (Md.) Good Counsel stud Akeem Hebron looked like best linebacker amongst the 2006 class on the day to me (Jeremiha Hunter from Manheim, Pa. didn't work out but was on hand) followed closely by Waldorf (Md.) Thomas Stone star Nekos Brown. Navorro Bowman from Suitland, Md. is thick and heavily muscled, but was a little stiff to me in coverage. Still he's a good looking kid, I just liked Hebron a little better. Suitland (Md.) Gwynn Park's Adrian Moten was the only player I saw cover McCoy effectively and will get plenty of looks at safety after this weekend.

Defensive backs - To me, Harrisburg (Pa.)Bishop McDevitt's Aaron Berry was the best true corner because he showed great hips and his closing speed is excellent. He also has a cockiness that's needed. Princeton (N.J.) The Hun School superstar Myron Rolle was the most physical guy I saw and also showed great closing speed. My opinion is that he'd be a great safety and a very good corner, but either way he's worth the watch. One major program sent a coach to State College simply to watch Rolle play and to show their colors.

The defensive backs were loaded overall in my book. Washington (D.C.) Dunbar's Vontae Davis is built like a rock and covered well in one-on-ones, Greenbelt (Md.) Eleanor Roosevelt cornerback Travon Bellamy impressed everyone and Pittsburgh (Pa.) Woodland Hills stud Darrin Walls is slick and adjusted well after getting burnt once.

For complete results of the State College NIKE training camp, visit StudentSportsfootball.com


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