Excel-Massachusetts ‘Eagle Hill” Summer Camp Notables “Part 2”
PART 2: Excel Sports Academy held its annual “Get Ready for the Season” over night Summer Camp for QB’s and Wide Receivers this past weekend at Eagle Hill located in Hardwick, Massachusetts. The Founder/Director Steve Martin; stated the camp is…
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Continue ReadingPART 2: Excel Sports Academy held its annual “Get Ready for the Season” over night Summer Camp for QB’s and Wide Receivers this past weekend at Eagle Hill located in Hardwick, Massachusetts. The Founder/Director Steve Martin; stated the camp is in its 3rd year and is strictly grown from word of mouth. There is no registration for this event. The camp brought a collection of athletes from classes of 2024 – 2029 in the New England region and train at Excell Sports Academy on a yearly basis, to an environment to prepare the athletes for the upcoming 2023 fall season.
The prospects Coach Martin focuses on being present at the camp are usually the top-known rising prospects who are projected to be the top future New England regional prospects within their class. Many of these current top regional prospects from all classes train at the Academy and choose to attend the camp. I attended the first-night practice session on August 4, 2023. and was able to observe the following players below that stood out to me at the camp.
Nate Ellis
C/O ‘26 @ Williston Northampton (MA) || 5’9/175 || ATH (WR/RB/DB) || #1 ATH In New England || 4.63 40 (BONE) || 225×14 (Bench)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/5nateellisrnAt first glance I first thought he is bit undersized. A closer view of his skill set, I could see he is blessed with very good athletic ability that can help college coaches overcome concerns for playing at the next level. He is a slashing athlete who is dynamic with the ball in his hands. He saw Varsity action last season as a freshman and hasn’t looked back. He can line up as an RB or be placed in the slot, or out wide on the perimeter. He was observed hustling and performing each rep with a motor. Has reliable hands and confidence in his ability to be a home run threat each time he possesses the ball. Ellis attends Williston Northhampton in Massachusetts and is projected to have a break out sophomore season.
Highlights
Dwayne Early
Springfield Central HS | 6’4 190 WR | 3.2 GPA | Dwayne Early C/O 25′ |81′ Wingspan |
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dearly2406?lang=enrnHe easily attracts with the length in his arms, legs, and obvious room for additional future growth. At 6’4″ he is a matchup night mare for vast majority of defensive backs at the high school level. His skill set has attracted early verbal offers from Umass and University of Pitt. I observed “Early” using his high level eye and hand coordination to pluck the ball in the air each time he took a rep. He has nice long strides and can get separation from defenders quickly to make the play. He loves to high top the ball and with his lean, tall frame, he usually wins the 50/50 ball.
Highlights
Malik Diaby
2024/ Williston Northampton School/ 6’1”/185 lbs/ ATH/ 3.5 GPA/ 4.6 40
Twitter: https://twitter.com/malikdiaby7rn”Diaby” is a University of New Hampshire commit who displayed high energy and quickness during drill period and stood out amongst others performing the drill. I later observed him running crisp routes and using his reliable hands to snag balls all over the field. He is easily a div 1 recruit with a high ceiling and may have been under the radar with FBS schools during his recruitment due to know fault of his own. He has a lean, well developed frame that can bend with good body control and balance. He is preparing for his senior season and looks destined to make an impact to a successful season with his team.
Ja’Cyion Cox
5’9/185 | Class of 2025 | ATH | Springfield Central HS | 3.7 GPA | 3 Sport athlete
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_CYION_rn”Cox” has a competitive dog mentality and truly has confidence within to be a special athlete. He observes and takes being coached hard. He defines competition and welcomes to be challenged. I observed him giving high level effort during each rep he performed. He was also observed instructing and assisting other athletes at the camp with technical aspects. He is a three-sport athlete and his overall athleticism just pops when viewing him closely. He appears versatile and the type of player who can get the job done on defense or offense.
Highlights
Nate Stone
West Springfield High School Massachusetts/ Class of 2025
“Stone” is a unknown to me prior to this event. While evaluating the qb’s at the camp, I saw his ability to keep plays alive with his legs in addition to his accuracy while throwing on the run. He worked hard during all drills and gave consistent effort each rep. He can make accurate throws while running with good power behind his throw. Has decent speed to be a threat in the running game also. He surely puts in the work at QB displaying sharpened mechanics and shinned brightly on the day.