Jermichael Finley’s Catch Everything/Hands Team Academy: Part 1

This past Saturday, former NFL tight end Jermichael Finley and coach Micah Lowe held the first Catch Everything / Hands Team Academy camp at the Bo Jackson Dome. It was a unique opportunity for a small group of prospects ranging from rising seniors to 8th graders. Finley, Lowe and a great group of coaches actively coached up the young men, along with having them get out of their comfort zone by using Sinaptec glasses. A great inaugural camp that will no doubt attract a much larger crowd next year. Since the group was smaller, I got a chance to really get a good look at each of the prospects and will have a two part series of evaluations for each of the players. Here is the first set of prospects. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-181778" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/12393DA3-C231-48E2-8D47-0430C8D0ED5B-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Bolingbrook ATH Jerry Eaton (5’10” and 185lbs) @JerryE33 I’ve seen Eaton at the Rise and Fire camp this summer and seeing him again this past Saturday justified what I though, Eaton is a big time playmaker wherever he lines up. During this camp sessions 1v1’s, he showed me something that I hadn’t seem before, the ability to play cornerback. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425083159620820992?s=21 Eaton is a very smooth athlete, with very good hands and hips. His background as a former wide receiver showed, but now more than ever I don’t know where he’ll end up at the next level but the plan is to play running back this fall. Eaton is an athlete that could end up a multiple positions and one that needs to be added to your recruiting board immediately. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-181779" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/E82B3960-DACD-4CA7-86A5-01500BB82080-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Crystal Lake Central WR George Dimopoulos (6’1” and 160lbs) @GeorgeDimop14 Good size with ample speed, Dimopoulos has a very good frame that will fill out as he gets older. He’s got big hands and a very large catch radius do to having long arms. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425105644928000003?s=21 A good route runner as well, Dimopoulos has a lot of upside and needs to be watched over the next few years as he progresses through high school. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-181780" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/E7A10BC2-991D-4045-9084-62F29C1F4F2D-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Montini Catholic LB [player_tooltip player_id="165573" first="Caden" last="Phengkeokaisone"] (6’ and 210lbs) @cadenpheng Although he worked out with the corners, Phengkeokaisone did not look all that out of place. The fact that he took reps with the defensive backs will only help him in the future as linebackers need to have cover skills playing against spread offenses. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425083295574937601?s=21 His physicality showed when receivers tried to outmuscle him. Phengkeokaisone had a solid day, in an environment where he’s at a clear disadvantage. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-181781" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/8E8E1844-8910-413A-B2F5-7D66ED90254D-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 St. Ignatius CB [player_tooltip player_id="146166" first="John" last="Kemp"] (5’11” and 175lbs) @kempjohn_ Another player that I’ve had the chance to see multiple times is Kemp and again, he was one of the best in attendance. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425083236234022912?s=21 The speed is impressive, his hips movement is on the same level. Kemp constantly made receivers work for everything during 1v1’s, always running with his opponent right on their hip. Overall, Kemp had a very solid day and should continue that kind of play into his junior year. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-181782" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/9C562EE0-2BF7-41AC-8F7A-F02CF94E3810-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Westinghouse WR Dewayne ‘DJ’ Brooks (5’10” and 165lbs) A very solid frame who moved well for his class. Brooks has a ton of potential but is very raw. He did a good job of using his hands and creating a big target for the quarterbacks. Brooks had decent speed that will just improve as he gets stronger. He will need to work on his footwork and route running, but there is a ton of potential in his game. If Brooks continues to progress and refine his technique, he could be a viable option as he gets older. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-181783" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/3134520F-349A-42B9-8863-9EC4D38F99C3-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Rockridge QB [player_tooltip player_id="65708" first="Brayden" last="Deem"] (6’2” and 195lbs) @Brayden85183598 Physically, Deem looks like he is ready for his final go-around. He’s got a very strong arm and very good footwork, there is no wasted movements when loading to throw. You can tell that he’s put in a ton of work in that area of his game. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425083585527226371?s=21 Very smooth with his release, Deem is accurate and throws a very catchable ball inside 20-yards. Currently he’s talking to a few schools and with a big senior year, Deem should start hearing from more. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-181784" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/5A19B03C-6B32-476A-8774-5713CD254549-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Joliet Catholic DB Tai Sesta (5’8” and 135lbs) @taisesta Although on the smaller side, Sesta held his own against some of the bigger receivers at the camp. He showed quick feet during the drill portion and decent hands. During 1v1s he was overmatched against the older competition, but when he was challenge by the receiver in his group, the results were solid. Sesta does need to work on his technique and gain more experience, but he’s got a solid base set of skills. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-181785" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/23918E79-C2BC-4946-B0F5-D456763FA2F8-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2026 WR Tre Watkins (5’7” and 121lbs) @TreWatkins24 Not even close to entering high school, Watkins is a name to know as he continues to get older. He’s got a solid frame, very good size for his age. Watkins definitely needs more seasoning, but he still has a lot of growing to do. He was solid in his movements in and out of breaks. Watkins has some potential to be a solid player down the road. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-181786" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/851F2992-2F0F-4DBA-A4F2-D681B3F0A5D3-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2025 Michelle Clark ATH Tysean Perkins (5’11” and 160lbs) @PerkinsTysean The incoming freshman is going to make a splash this year, his athleticism stood out big time. The interesting thing was that Perkins started the day taking reps at quarterback, moved to wide receiver and even took some reps as a defensive back. Although he can throw it well, his future is at the outside. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425083467495354376?s=21 As a receiver his concentration was very impressive, he’s got a large catch radius, and his hands were very good. His first rep at corner, Perkins didn’t let the receiver got off the line. He’s a bit more raw on this side, but with more coaching he has the potential to be a lock down corner. This young man is one you need to know, Perkins has an extremely bright future at a variety of positions.