Mesh Academy Tryout Standouts
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There is a new team in the state of Mississippi in the 7v7 ranks MESH Academy founded by Co-Owners Mike Espy and Shay Hodge. The formulation is geared towards putting all the best kids in Mississippi on the same team…
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Continue ReadingThere is a new team in the state of Mississippi in the 7v7 ranks MESH Academy founded by Co-Owners Mike Espy and Shay Hodge. The formulation is geared towards putting all the best kids in Mississippi on the same team to go around the nation competing against the best and ultimately for the National Championship in the final tourney of the year. Mike and Shay have trained a large majority of the top prospects in the state of Mississippi for the past 10 years, and now taking it over to 7v7 to enhance the quarterback and receiver play in this state. There were some standouts at the try out that took some of us by surprise who we will highlight.
Kheland Brown, Wide Receiver from Callaway put on a show at the try out coming open time and time again. He is the younger brother of standout Demarcus Brown Demarcus Brown 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR Callaway | 2023 State MS who has played for Espy & Hodge in the past and we see the pedigree is there with this one too. He has a slippery game being that he is so skinny like Devonta Smith slithery through defenders trying to get their hands on him. He came up with timely catches all day long. He should be one that will push to be selected for this years team.
Jordan Berry, Athlete from Adams County Christian School who came out with a business mindset to prove he was one of the best there. He started out at receiver winning on long passes early on showing his speed. He won a few times at receiver so we wanted to see him play DB as well due to having all the top receivers on this years roster. Berry did not disappoint holding his own at DB also. He is thickly built and probably projects better on defense but there is no denying that Berry is a baller.
Braylon Burnside Braylon Burnside 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Starkville | 2024 State MS , the #1 Athlete in the state of Mississippi from Starkville High came out and put on a show for the try out. He was the alpha dog winning every rep easily. He is one of those kids that just has that it factor about him. Training a kid like that from 8th grade until now is fascinating to watch him grow into this player. Stonka plays the game just like AJ Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles who is also from the same high school as him. He patterns his game after him and it shows because the kid is a load to take down in the open field, he will run right through you. He also will out run you or he will shake you out of your shoes. Stonka is by far one of the most dominating prospects in c/o 2024 who imposes his will on opponents.
Jamarcus Pittman, Quarterback from McComb high school came out and had a very good day. Juicy is his nickname I’m guessing because he is a bigger kid said last year at a try out that he was rusty and he had something to prove this year. He lived up to every word that he said throwing dime after dime into tight spaces but the thing that stood out the most was the cannon he has. Pittman would wait longer than normal before throwing the ball on deep routes just so he could show how big of an arm he had, and the ball placement was on point. He really showed he is one of the top 2024 quarterbacks at this try out. He even showed out in the 7v7 passing portion where they had to read the coverages; he excelled there also. Calling out routes and knowing where to go with the ball in all scenarios he was put in. He for sure will be one of the quarterbacks selected.
Zach Ruffin, defensive back from Neshoba Central High School in Philadelphia, Ms is a very good looking prospect. The kid is 6’3 with very long arms and legs. He has good speed to go with that awesome frame. He is very competitive breaking up passes all day and just flat out competing. He is a coach’s son so the details are there with this kid. He can play corner or safety with his more natural position being safety, but he can line up on your #1 guy and hold his own due to his length. This kid for sure made the team and a great addition to the academy as they are looking mostly for DBs this coming season in try outs.
Micah Stallworth Micah Stallworth 5'11" | 195 lbs | ATH Jackson Preparatory | 2024 State MS , defensive back out of Jackson Prep was as good as advertised after a stellar season and even better showing in the MAIS State Championship game. Stallworth probably had the best interception in the state of Mississippi last year in the biggest game of the season with a diving acrobatic interception in state championship game. I was eager to see how would he hold his own with the public school talent and it was no different. I do not think I seen him lose a rep the whole day. He is a thickly built cornerback, when you see him you will think he plays running back judging from his lower body. Stallworth has a lot of game speed seeing how he sticks to receivers but only ran the 40 in a 4.65, he plays a lot faster than that. He is one to keep an eye on to see if he makes the team because he will be a great addition.
Charles Stevenson, Athlete from Neshoba Central High School is an explosive athlete. He played for Espy & Hodge with another organization so we was well aware of the talent this kid has. He mostly played cornerback for us last year, but after watching him during the season rip it up in the slot we are goin got give him the opportunity to do It on the offensive side to start out. Stevenson is about 5’10 in height and quicker than fast. He can get to top speed very swiftly and will sustain that to out run you to the end zone. He showed well at the try out winning on deep routes and intermediate concepts. His 40 was somewhat surprising running in the 4.6 range, but after a strong off season I think this kid can get in the 4.4 range, that’s the type of athlete he is.
Brayden Trusty, quaterback from Grenada High School c/o 2026 is a dude. The kid arm strength is elite already as he caught the eyes of the viewers at the try out throwing dart after dart. He is about 6 foot already which is huge so he can see over the line and on the trajectory to actually grow into the height of a qb prospect. I am eager to see this kid grow in the academy as I know for sure he was selected as one of the quarterback prospects to be apart of this team. The future is very bright for this kid and as projected his weakness like most young qbs is reading defenses, and that is something he can work on during the 7v7 season.