CFI Summer Showcase – Top Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The CFI Summer Showcase provided players an opportunity to come out and perform in front of college football coaches from North Carolina Central, Johnson C. Smith, Winston-Salem State, Catawba, St. Augustine, University of Pikeville, and multiple other institutions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The camp also helped players prepare for the&nbsp;upcoming summer camp season. There were several players who stood out at this showcase, let's take a look at the top Wide Receivers and Tight Ends in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Tight Ends </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='327286' first='Gavin' last='Barber'] - Cox Mill - In the Class of 2026, Gavin is one of the best tight ends in the state of North Carolina. With him being 6'3 and 230 pounds already, he is on his way to becoming a major recruit. He moves smoothly for an athlete that size and catches the ball with ease, away from his body. He's able to win versus linebackers and safeties over the middle of the field in pass coverage already. He shows the willingness and ability to be a strong in-line blocker and can be used in the H-Back move role also. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='855089' first='Jadon' last='Barnes'] - Parkwood - At 6'1 and 210 pounds, Jadon lists himself as an ATH in the Class of 2024. He was selected as an All-Conference Player primarily on defense last season, but given his performance at this showcase, he can definitely impact things on the offensive side of the ball as well. He caught everything well, and exhibited some nice routes consistently throughout the showcase. He's definitely a vertical threat at the traditional tight end spot, and can flex out to play some outside receiver as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/pepman704/status/1665950529338343431?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/pepman704/status/1665950529338343431?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Wide Receivers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='741365' first='Dominic' last='Testa'] - Hickory Ridge - If we named a WR MVP, Dominic would have been the choice. He displayed some excellent routes in his 1 on 1's versus DBs and showed great bursts to create separation on the vast majority of his reps. He is a Class of 2025 recruit standing at 5'10 and 175 pounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colin Reese - Cannon School - Colin is what I like to call speed personified, he is a certified game-breaker and can make the big plays time in and time out. He performed well on his home field for this showcase and has received offers from the University of Pikeville and Catawba as a result of his strong showcase performance. He is 5'10 and 150 pounds in the Class of 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Louis Howie - South Pointe (SC) - Louis showed well at this showcase, as he has had a good off-season on the field for sure. A 6'2 wide receiver in the 2024 Class, Howie has the physical ability to run past you on the outside or win off the line in press coverage and high point the football in 1 on 1 pass coverage. I would expect some college interest to come as we get into the first couple weeks of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='449639' first='Ashton' last='Elliott'] - Northwood - Coming into this showcase, not much was known about Ashton, but standing at 5'9 and 165 pounds, Ashton displayed some nice speed and catching ability working primarily from a slot position. A Class of 2024 prospect, if he is able to put out some good film in the first 3-4 games of the season, some colleges should start displaying some interest in him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='772726' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson'] - Stuart Cramer - A highly productive All-Conference wide receiver last season, Johnson looked like he was in midseason form at this showcase. At 5'9 and 150 pounds as a Class of 2024 prospect, he is the prototypical size for a slot wide receiver, but he is one of the best in the Charlotte Metro Area for sure. Tough catches, good speed out of breaks, and can be a playmaker with the ball in his hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frank Williams III - North Meck - Frank was another surprise in this talented wide receiver group at this showcase. He took every rep and opportunity seriously and turned a lot of heads for sure. I like his athleticism and his aggressive nature when the ball was in the air especially. Frank also showed some good footwork in running his routes and releases. Frank stands at 5'11 and 150 pounds in the Class of 2026. Bright future!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->