Five Players to Watch: Clay-Chalkville

Cameron Gossett

August 17, 2021 @ 02:50 PM

Clay-Chalkville has been one of the most successful class 6A teams in recent memory. The Cougars are 84-17 in their last eight seasons with a state championship in 2014. Clay-Chalkville is coming off an 11-2 season in 2020 with a quarterfinals appearance. They play in region 6, arguably the toughest in Class 6A with the likes of 2020 champion Pinson Valley, Gardendale, and Minor but have the talent returning to compete for the region title. Clay-Chalkville should be one of the best teams in 6A again this season. [player_tooltip player_id="127506" first="Marquarius" last="White"] | WR 5’10"- 150 lbs | Class of 2022 White is an elite-level playmaker for the Cougars with 44 catches, 877 yards, and 13 touchdowns as a junior. His speed and elusiveness in the open field consistently create problems for the defense. White’s ability to make contested catches was extremely impressive on film. He is a Tennessee commit and looks like he can be a dynamic slot receiver at the next level. His speed is utilized on special teams as he can be an effective returner on kickoffs. Look for White to have an extremely productive senior season as the go-to receiver for Clay-Chalkville. [player_tooltip player_id="125937" first="Khalib" last="Johnson"] | QB 6’2"- 200 lbs | Class of 2022 Johnson had a very productive junior season with 2,476 yards passing and 25 touchdowns. He is a dual-threat quarterback who excels at extending plays inside and outside the pocket. Johnson’s arm strength and touch on his deep throws are impressive on film. His ability to extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield makes him difficult to defend. If all receivers are covered, Johnson can scramble and take what the defense gives him. He gets the ball to his receivers on time with an opportunity to make a play after the catch. Johnson is a Louisville commit that will be a player to watch this fall as he leads Clay-Chalkville to another successful season. [player_tooltip player_id="132050" first="Jaylen" last="Mbakwe"] | DB 6’0" - 170 lbs | Class of 2024 Mbakwe is one of the fastest risers in the class of 2024 and is already on the radar of numerous power 5 schools. His combination of high-level speed, length, coverage skills, ball skills, and instincts are unique in a player only headed into their sophomore season. Mbakwe timed at 10.76 in the 100-meter dash. This elite speed allows him to stay with any opposing receiver. He has the length of a power 5 corner and still has plenty of time to fill out his frame. Mbakwe has received offers from Georgia, Auburn, Arkansas, Florida State, Louisville, among others. His stock will continue to rise and I believe he will end up being one of Alabama's best players in the class of 2024. Jayden Sweeney | S 6'0" - 175 lbs | Class of 2022 Sweeney is a super athletic safety for the Clay-Chalkville defense. He has great range in the back end of the secondary. His ball skills and instincts stand out on film. I was really impressed by how fast his closing speed is when he's coming to tackle in the run game. Sweeney is a complete safety and is definitely a player to watch during the upcoming season. He has received offers from Duke, Coastal Carolina, Army, Arkansas State, Liberty, South Alabama, among others. Those offers will only grow with a great senior season. Cam'ron Williams | RB 5'9" - 190 lbs | Class of 2022 Williams has excellent acceleration and top-end speed out of the backfield clocking a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash. He has great vision to find the hole and his quick footwork gives him an instant change of direction. He can bounce the play outside for a big gain while being extremely physical between the tackles. Williams should have another productive season in a loaded Clay-Chalkville offense. He has received an offer from Birmingham-Southern and has attended camps at Auburn and Mississippi State. I'm interested to see which offers he receives during his final season at Clay-Chalkville.  