OL & DL Standouts from Jeffery Simmons’ Camp
Tennesse Titans Defensive Lineman Jeffery Simmons held a camp this past weekend at the Starkville Sportsplex in Starkville, MS. Several campers showed up eager to learn and work, especially the big guys. I had the pleasure of spectating and assisting…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTennesse Titans Defensive Lineman Jeffery Simmons held a camp this past weekend at the Starkville Sportsplex in Starkville, MS. Several campers showed up eager to learn and work, especially the big guys. I had the pleasure of spectating and assisting in the camp, and I was pleased with what I saw talent wise. There were several noteworthy prospects in attendance. The camp was a great experience for the student-athletes who came to work on their craft! Simmons’ camp provided kids with an opportunity to learn from former and current NFL players while allowing them time to compete against their contemporaries. Here are a few guys from the camp that play in the trenches who caught my eye with their performances from that day.
Juddy Crisler | 2024 | (OL) Copiah Academy
Mr. Crisler is a kid with size and athleticism that will be coming into himself as 2024 recruit entering his Junior season. I was impressed with his outing last week and how he took every opportunity he could to gain reps and show his skills. In the drill work his feet were pretty decent. The NFL inspired drills were a challenge for the majority of the campers, but Juddy was one of few who looked comfortable doing them. He moves well for a guy with his size and it showed in how efficient he carried himself in 1v1s. Juddy is well coached, his technique and pass set show signs of a kid who listens and is ready to play meaningful snaps immediately. He has the quickness to get out of his stance and set to smaller defenders, and the overall upper body strength to slow down defenders with his punch. Crisler’s bend at the hip was noticeable from his stance and in warm-ups. His transition from kick-sliding to posting could be better, but his punch was violent, strong, and effective. Crisler uses his frame to his advantage when walling off pass-rushers, inviting rushers to try and get into his chest only to anchor and sit them down once they are in arms reach. He also understands how to take the rusher on half of a man to in order to better combat the rush of oncoming defenders. This kid is savvy to be a 2024 prospect. After talking with Crisler, He seems focused and ready to use his Junior year to make a name for himself. He will be making things easier for that offense over at Copiah Academy for sure come this fall.
Hayes Caperton | 2025 | (LT) Winston Academy
Hayes is a kid with great size that has the potential to be a standout player. Standing at 6’3 and weighing 290 lbs, the sophomore definitely looks the part. He showed flashes of great technique and being able to move, but not consistently. I was impressed with how Hayes used his strength and hands to his advantage. Caperton’s footwork was about average for a kid his age, but I’m sure that will improve over time! Hayes has a motor and plays with high intensity. He hates losing with a passion, and his performance at the camp was indicative of that. Despite what I’ve detailed, Hayes Caperton capitalized on his opportunity. He didn’t lose many of his reps, and looked pretty crisp in the drill work. He has plenty of potential and upside and I’m looking forward to following his career. As long as he improves on moving quickly in tight spaces he will be just fine.
Adam Gates | 2023 | (DT) Forest
Adam Gates is a bull of a young man that has very impressive strength and quickness. The 2023 DL was on a tear last Saturday as he took honors as the camps best attendee for his respective position. Gates showed flashes of being a prospect worth taking a look at in each portion of the camp. In the drill work his technique and hand usage both looked polished, but Gates’ get off and motor were the things that impressed me the most. Adam is a natural run stopper, and the ferocity in which he approached each rep is what set him apart. During the 1v1s Gates took pride in facing the best competition that the camp had to offer. He was able to show his prowess as a rusher winning reps with different means of getting the job done. His speed to power move working against either guard was his calling card. Adams’s ability to change direction while maintaining respect to his gaps and rush lanes needs a bit of work, but it was tough to find an OL that could impede his rush on a consistent basis. The stature of this young man is reminiscent of a bull or an ox, and his demeanor follows suit. He is a run stopper who can also be effective as a rusher on passing downs as well. As long as he conditions and continues to improve upon the foundation he has, he will surely be a threat for Forest this season as they look to recapture relevancy within 3A.
Bryson Kelly | 2023 | (OL) Noxubee County
Bryson Kelly is a kid that most O Line coaches dream of having. He is 6’3 320 lbs, with long arms, huge hands, and can bend to move exceptionally well. He was probably the most complete recruit in attendance as far as OL/DL goes. He has a great pass set and looks comfortable going from his stance to his set to be over 315 pounds. This kids punch has a brut force and velocity to it comparable to players on the collegiate level. He bends extremely well to keep his feet active. He keeps them close to the ground when he changes direction on his pass sets. He imposed his will on any inferior competition by simply dumping them when given the chance. This kid just is powerful and just simply enjoys dominating people. I was most impressed by Bryson’s ability to quickly asses the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents. He can tell what guys were going to be a problem and which way they would try and defeat him. This shows that Kelly was locked in on each rep (even those that weren’t his) and that he understands the battle within the battle that takes place within the trenches. At times Bryson will over extend on his sets causing his head to get over his toes. This made him lean a bit on a couple of reps, but his punch and violent hands is what saved him in these instances. Kelly is a kid with great technique and an even better drive to learn and understand his craft. Look for this kid to become more recognized and talked about as one of the more slept on recruits going into this fall. His overall recruitment will pick up through the duration of his Senior campaign for sure!
I was able to speak with Kelly after the camp shortly, I asked him a few questions to gain insight on how he felt about him and his team going into this season.
I asked Bryson:
– How do you feel about this season and your team as a whole heading into the 2022 season?
Bryson: ” I feel as if we have the chance to go undefeated. With the brotherhood we have, the hard work we’ve put in and how we push each other, we could have a chance to go on and win state this year”
– Which of your teammates do you feel could have a major impact for getting that done for you guys this year?
Bryson: ” Of course myself: Bryson Kelly, Anthony Little Anthony Little 6'0" | 190 lbs | WR Noxubee County | 2023 State MS Jr., and Kamario Taylor will be coming back and fully healthy. Just to name a couple. “
– If you had one goal that you wanted to accomplish individually for your senior season what would it be?
Bryson: ” To become a state champion! I have every other individual accolade I could want. I need a ring now..”