Jermichael Finley’s Catch Everything/Hands Team Academy: Part 2

This past Saturday, former NFL tight end Jermichael Finley and coach Micah Lowe held the first Catch Everything with 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 <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/jermichael-finleys-catch-everything-hands-team-academy-part-1/">first set of prospects</a> and below is the rest of the player in attendance. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-182499" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/FEC08A8A-BDB0-4208-B4F9-96C548B90629-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Kenwood ATH [player_tooltip player_id="181318" first="Amir" last="Neal"] (5’5” and 140lbs) @iamirneal1 Small but very quick, Neal took reps at both wide receiver and cornerback. Due to him being on the smaller side right now, he projects more as a corner but he’s got plenty of speed to make a difference as a slot receiver. A lot of it depends on how much bigger Neal gets, but he had a very good day on both sides on Saturday. He’ll have a lot to prove to crack the lineup at Kenwood after transferring in, but if he continues to flash, Neal will work his way into the rotation. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-182500" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/DC3F6A34-3EAA-40E6-B372-6E78FF005A7F-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Lyons QB [player_tooltip player_id="153532" first="Ryan" last="Jackson"] (5’10” and 176lbs) @RyanJackson714 Not my first time seeing Jackson, and surely won’t be the last, once again he showed that when he get his chance, there’s plenty of talent in his arm. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425083067958501381?s=21 He’s got very good size for a sophomore, a good lower half that he uses to put plenty of zip on his throws. His footwork is good and improving every time that I see him. Jackson doesn’t wow you with any ones aspect of his game, he’s just solid all-around. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-182504" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/D989D6B7-BC01-4F67-BF41-C431F8F69F0D-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2026 WR Finn Duncan (5’4” and 115lbs) Not the biggest, not the fastest but what Duncan did do that impressed was his hand eye coordinator. One of the few campers that I saw catch two of three tennis balls while wearing the Senaptec glasses. It was impressive and while he was overmatched against the older players, Duncan could get bigger and faster and potentially make a difference down the road. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-182507" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/DE132744-3DEA-423A-B679-522550BD259C-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Thornton Fractional South WR CJ Miles (6’ and 180lbs) @CJ_Miles27 Miles once again was one of the better plays in attendance, but this time I got a chance to focus a bit more on the smaller aspects of his game. He does really well with his route running, often creating space to get open against defenders. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425083067958501381?s=21 Miles has long arms and uses them well by having a large catch radius. He’s not a burner, but has enough speed to be a threat on the outside. If Miles can improve his speed, there’s a possibility he can stay outside but if he continues to grow, he could end up as a tight end. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-182508" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/E6B67F14-3960-45C8-A49D-926FC72BAD5A-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Rockridge WR Connor Deem (5’11” and 195lbs) @ConnorDeem21 Although he didn’t show it much during the 1v1 or drill portion, the younger Deem has extremely strong hands. He made more than a few one-handed catches that were impressive, but when it mattered, he made sure that he used two hands to haul passes in. It’s a very mature approach, something you don’t often see from players his age. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425083585527226371?s=21 Deem already has a very solid frame, he looks like an upperclassman right now. He’s got enough speed to get defenders on hip hip and then uses his good timing to make catches. Deem has the potential to be a very solid player down the road. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-182510" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/FCB43DAA-C168-4EA7-845F-C6DFF0FB26E3-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Montini Catholic ATH [player_tooltip player_id="157983" first="Mingo" last="Nixon"] (6’ and 165lbs) @NixonMingo One of the fastest in attendance, Nixon was very smooth in and out of his breaks when he took reps as a wide receiver. He’s got long arms and uses them well. Nixon does a great job of tracking the ball while it’s in the air and not breaking stride while making a catch, which when the pads come one will lead to big plays. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425083527591247877?s=21 Even though he only took one rep at cornerback, he’s got the hips, hands and speed to make the transition. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see Nixon have a massive junior campaign. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-182511" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/C786941E-5C16-4118-B21A-77A0FB11A792-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2025 Loyola WR Will Carlson (5’11” and 160lbs) @Will_Carlson06 Another name that you need to keep tabs on is Carlson. He’s going to suit up for the powerhouse Rambler program, and most likely won’t see varsity reps for a few years, but that won’t mean he won’t be ready when his time comes. There’s no doubt in my mind that if Carlson played for a different program, he’d be a varsity contributor from day one due to his good route running and impressive hands. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425106249629282307?s=21 He’s technical in his breaks, does a good job high pointing the ball and has enough speed to go over the top of a defense. When Carlson get his shot, he’s going to turn heads for Loyola. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-182512" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/CCD540D1-D170-4461-8F47-9BAD2A834468-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Waubonsie Valley QB Luke Elsea (5’10” and 170lbs) @luke_elsea An extremely strong arm, Elsea can make a wide variety of throws. Many of his throws were in areas where only his receiver had a chance. Elsea used different arm angles for different distances, his 10-yard out balls were well placed, slants too. He’s got a solid frame and uses his legs well to make his throws. Elsea has a solid future ahead of him. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1425083344124059654?s=21 <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-182513" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/66CBE1A3-F621-4F4F-BC52-A2905CF5A11F-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Simeon WR [player_tooltip player_id="163255" first="Cameron" last="Ashley"] (6’ and 157lbs) @chexkboi A smooth route runner, Ashley uses his body to shield off defenders and make plays. He’s a good athlete as well, even though he might not be the fastest guy on the field. Solid hands gives him the ability to fight for jump balls. Ashley should get a lot of action for Simeon this fall due to teams trying to stop [player_tooltip player_id="20843" first="Malik" last="Elzy"], so he should have plenty of opportunities to make plays. After seeing him multiple times this offseason, I have no doubt in my mind Ashley will have a big year and make team pay for sliding coverages away from him.