GameChangers: MVPs from the Colorado Prospect Tour
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The Prep Redzone Prospect Tour made its stop in Colorado this past Saturday, and it could not have been more of a success.
The majority of the players in attendance were Colorado athletes, but a few made the trip from different states. At the end of the event, seven athletes were awarded Prep Redzone MVP chains, one for each position.
This article will look at each MVP winner from the weekend.
Ethan Bird Ethan Bird 6'3" | 190 lbs | DL Littleton | 2023 State CO | Littleton | 2023 DE
Bird earning the defensive lineman MVP award solidified his status as a sleeper defensive end, making him a must-know game changer. He brings great speed and athleticism off the edge. His ability to use fast hands to disengage from blockers quickly makes him a problematic rusher to contain.
Bird stood out early during the event when he clocked a 4.7 on his 40-yard dash time, and he continued to impress the coaches whit his techniques and work ethic. The 6-foot-3 DE has garnered a slight buzz as a recruit so far, making him an under-the-radar player worth knowing.
https://twitter.com/_Ethan_Bird13/status/1515495805729361926?s=20&t=s-LAnalPkt36u_JA2Y3XkQ
Payden Anderson | Queen Creek (AZ) | 2023 TE
Anderson is a tight end who made the journey up from Arizona to showcase his talents, and he did not disappoint. Standing at 6-foot-4, he was an immediate standout at the event. It was apparent that he came to compete with every intention of outshining his opponents. He does a great job of tracking the ball and securing receptions with strong hands and an impressive catch radius.
His versatile set of skills makes him a player who can line up from anywhere on the field. Anderson was an absolute spotlight stealer during the event from start to finish due to his unmatched game-changing abilities, earning him the MVP of the wide receivers.
Garrett Sauer Garrett Sauer 6'3" | 210 lbs | QB Windsor | 2023 State CO | Windsor | 2023 QB
Sauer won MVP among some serious quarterback competition, helping to reinforce this under-the-radar player as a legitimate stock-riser. He has good footwork, a smooth throwing motion, and impressive arm strength. He showed that he possesses the capability of completing passes on every level.
During the one-on-one portion of the event, Sauer placed the ball in spots where only the receiver could get to it. Any QB who can complete throws against tight coverage is an instant game-changer, and Sauer definitely fits the mold.
I had a great day competing at the @PrepRedzoneCO prospect camp. Humbled to win the QB MVP!
Great to see @SixZeroAcademy & @TRHP6! Thanks for having me @coachwes_23 @BrandonBoles @Lemmingscouting. @coachmattmumme @kucoachz
@coachtimwyo
@ckleincat7@coachdaft@coach_sanford2 pic.twitter.com/E0slUDfYSe— Garrett Sauer (@GarrettSauer1) April 17, 2022
James Basinger James Basinger 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Columbine | 2025 State CO | Columbine | 2025 RB
Basinger has recently begun to receive a lot of recognition for his skills as a safety, but his primary position is at running back. He has excellent speed and explosive cuts that enable him to juke and outrun defenders. His 40-yard dash time was impressive, clocking a 4.78 in his fastest run. In addition to being a phenomenal rusher, he proved himself to be a highly-skilled receiver, making him a versatile athlete on the offensive side of the ball.
Earning the RB MVP award was no easy task because of the many highly-talented RBs in attendance, which is a testament to Basinger’s game-changing abilities.
@BasingerJames25 with the smooth juke! The future sophomore may have the best feet in today’s RB room👟 @PrepRedzoneCO pic.twitter.com/eVFbqDP7s8
— Griffin Conant (@griffin_conant4) April 16, 2022
Payton Wainwright | Columbine | 2023 LB
Wainwright showed up and stole the show for the linebacker group, which all started with his electrifying speed. During the combine portion of the event, he clocked a 4.56 in his fastest 40-yard dash time. He displayed great lateral movements and acceleration during the shuttle and L drill. He continued to shine during the position-specific part of the event, where he got to put his speed and explosive movements to use.
Wainwright did a fantastic job working his leverage and closing the distance to the ball carriers with his impressive speed, making him a game-changing LB with MVP status.
Maxwell Parrott Maxwell Parrott 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL Cherry Creek | 2024 State CO | Cherry Creek | 2024 OL
Parrott is a dominant offensive lineman who showed up to show out, earning himself the OL MVP award. The 6-foot-4 tackle showed his quick feet, fast hands, and violent strikes that displayed his impressive power. He has a demeanor that lets everyone know he means business, and his work backs it up.
Parrott finished his sophomore season with a 5A state championship, proving that he is a game-changer whose name is worthy of being mentioned in the conversation of the state’s best linemen.
Thank you @PrepRedzoneCO for having me out for the Prospect Tour. I had a great time and won O-line MVP! @CCNextLevelFB @CreekFB pic.twitter.com/qmiB1tr1S8
— Max Parrott (@MaxParrott1) April 17, 2022
Corey Jordan | Regis Jesuit | 2024 DB
Jordan quietly put on an excellent MVP caliber showing during the event. He has excellent techniques and disciplined eyes, allowing him to play his man and attack the ball. He showed great pass breakup abilities by playing the ball in the air or playing through the hands of the receivers, making him a lockdown defensive back. Jordan’s speed and overall skill set made him a standout game-changer worthy of the spotlight.
Thank you @PrepRedzoneCO for allowing me to Compete at the Prospect Tour ! Had a great time also winning Db Mvp ! @CoachFilleman @RegisJesuitHS pic.twitter.com/LY5widvswU
— Corey Jordan (@CoreyJordanCO24) April 17, 2022