All-Delaware Bowl: Black Team Prospect Practice Headliners
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The second smallest state in the U.S. has some big talent to offer. If you’re a Blue Hen fan, and still have high hopes after Flacco dumped some left over Super Bowl dollars into their new beautiful facility at UD,…
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Continue ReadingThe second smallest state in the U.S. has some big talent to offer. If you’re a Blue Hen fan, and still have high hopes after Flacco dumped some left over Super Bowl dollars into their new beautiful facility at UD, then you better keep some of the top young talent in state, along with pulling from Terp Land. Last night’s practice (April 13th) was a breath of fresh air watching some of the top 8th graders in the state, with the hopes that they can help change that narrative about football talent coming from Delaware, in a few short years.
At first glance anyone with good sense is going to assume Willis-Dickson plays only on the defensive side of the ball. WRONG! When I asked what he prefers, he claims RB which of course made me start cheesing. However, you can find him with his hand in the dirt or standing up on the edge as a MLB or DE. This kid caught my eye immediately because of his size and attitude. As he develops it will become more natural carrying his luggage around. What do I mean by luggage? This kid is thick in all the right places and runs with a nice lean where defenders only have one option, and that is to bite his ankles off and hope that slows him down. Brandon Wills-Dickson is a cross between Ron Dayne and Mike Tolbert. Google please. When the Black Team gets in short yardage or goalie territory, lock in on #9.
Highlights
Josaish Everett
Josaish Everett
Josiah “JoJo” Everett is QB1 for the Black Team. I can see why he has been mentioned with some of the top QB’s in his class, with the easy flick of the wrist delivery. You can see his football IQ at work when in the pocket by how he makes great decisions and is rarely careless with the football. A good athletic signal caller knows when to use his arm and when to rely on his legs. Tonight, he will have his work cut out for him seeing over the mammoths on the White Team D-Line, but when asked, he doesn’t feel it will be an issue with a similar target in former teammate Francis Drummond at Wide Out. It also seemed seamless watching them two work together in practice as Everett read defenses quickly and threw to a window with confidence that his receivers will get there on time. Though his statue on the outside is the smallest of all the Quarterbacks taking snaps in the All-Delaware Bowl, its evident he loves the challenge and his teammates have full confidence he will lead them to victory.
Francis Drummond
Francis Drummond
Francis Drummond will be wearing #14 for the Black Team and will not be hard to find. Not just because he has chemistry with QB1 “JoJo” and will be a main target. But, during their last practice preparing for the All-Delaware Bowl, Drummond made a couple one handed catches off to the side and then replicated it during team drills. He gets out of his stance quick and likes the deep ball or anything that will get a defensive backs stance to open up. Once you’re in this position, it’s over. Like they say “if you’re even, he’s leaving!” I had to see what he would do without the ball in his hands, and he did not disappoint, by displaying effort blocking in the run game as well. I look to see #14 making big plays down field and opening up the run game for Brandon Wills-Dixon to get busy on a light box by pulling attention outside. This kid also has some pretty good dance moves so expect some energy every time his name is announced.
Micah Johnson
Micah Johnson
In the game of football, Quarterbacks will always be highlighted and get the biggest bag. Why? They touch the ball every offensive play and run the show period. With that being said, the urgency to make sure their job is uncomfortable mainly lies on the first line of defense. Insert Micah Johnson! This kid is athletic and a problem on the edge. By the time any O-Lineman kick steps, he’s already in your hip pocket. When I first saw him I thought linebacker. Well he can do that too and got a few reps at it. But you can see his body language when he’s standing up in a wider technique on the defensive line with his eyes fixated on the QB, just looks right. Micah is that high energy player who will make plays even when the ball goes away from him. Annoying I know, but that the passion he plays with and I see him getting in the backfield a lot tonight causing confusion and collection some TFL’s.
Long hair don’t care! Luke Lloyd stood out to me not just because of his size and hair, but being intentional in all his movements. In youth football, typically the big kids put their hands on the ground, then the biggest kids of the big kids line up outside at tackle, then repeat this process until you get to center. Meaning the biggest offensive lineman rarely plays center. I also want to expose the stereotype of not just being undersized to snap the ball, but they’re usually the smartest. In Luke’s evaluation, he’s smart, mean, and big! Enough of using the word “Big” but I see Mr. Lloyd playing everyone position on the O-Line. Having the skill set and want to at Center is a game changer. Luke showed solid footwork and was not over extending on block working inside out. I wouldn’t be shocked if he had success pulling from the center position as well. One thing to work on is not getting too complacent when working up to the next level in space. It will be a war tonight in those trenches for sure and Luke has the tools to clean up the A gaps if he trusts his feet.