AYF All-Star Practice: Initial Reactions on East Standouts
Last Thursday and Friday I got the opportunity to check out three practices leading up to the AYF National All-Star Game, which was played on Saturday in conjunction with Pro Bowl weekend. There were nearly 60 kids from AYF-sanctioned teams…
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Continue ReadingLast Thursday and Friday I got the opportunity to check out three practices leading up to the AYF National All-Star Game, which was played on Saturday in conjunction with Pro Bowl weekend. There were nearly 60 kids from AYF-sanctioned teams that were selected and showed up to the prestigious event. While all the prospects in attendance have a very bright future in the sport, the six below really stood out to me during the practices before the game. We’ll look at the position groups throughout the week, but we’ll start out with the prospects who made the the biggest impression on me from the East Team.
Dennis is probably the most complete player I saw for the East team over the 3 practices I watched. Played both side of the ball in an Elite way and did not shy away from competition. It was hard to tell what his main position was because of how good he played at each of them. The Mississippi native has a bright future on both side of the ball.
- Made quick breaks at Db/WR. Can stop instantly on a dime and has great speed out of the break
- Shorter player but makes up for it with speed and strength. His height causes no issue for him at all
- Elite route runner. One of the best on team East
- Isn’t afraid of contact and made good blocks on some bigger dudes
- Most Fundamentally sound player on the East team and possibly the field
Brown is another player on the East squad that caught my eye immediately. Probably one of the faster guys on the field he’s another guy that played very well on both sides of the ball, but his speed off the line and in and out of breaks was elite. One of a few Jersey guys that impressed
- Very quick off the line
- has good size right now standing at 5’10
- Knows how to win routes with technique which makes him so good cause he’s already got the speed
- Is a baller on both sides of the ball
- competed in some very good 1v1 battles with Jamorie Dennis
- overall electric player to watch
Kemp reclassifying to 2029 raised his stock even more in my eyes. The fact that he has another year to develop before entering into high school is scary for opponents of the Brick City Lions. Theres not much more you can say that hasn’t already been said about one of the best Rb’s in New Jerseys 2029 class.
- Has great height right now and looks and runs strong
- another year before high school will allow him to put some more weight and muscle on
- Great footwork in the backfield and can makes moves on defenders with ease
- Shifty RB with great vision and power
- overall an elite RB who’s only gonna get better
Shakir was the first kid I noticed when practice #1 started for the East. Being already 6’5 265 he’s hard to miss being around other 2028 prospects. Although he was the biggest player on the field I quickly learned he is not big for no reason he’s a dawg as an Offensive Tackle. One of a few guys from Maryland selected for the game, he impressed me with his size and athletic ability being so young with that frame.
- Huge kid and still very athletic
- future D1 offensive tackle. Already has the size to do so.
- can move very well for his size
Varnado was another Mississippi native that impressed me with his strength and his ability to disrupt an Oline. Don’t run up the middle with Varnado on the other side of the ball was my take away from watching him over all 3 practices.
- Very strong
- has the ability to not only disrupt an Oline but has some speed to track down a QB in the backfield
- not the tallest but very dominant on the interior Dline
- overall Dawg on DL
Vernon was another Defensive Linemen that impressed me immediately. Along with Varnado was a dominant force for the oline, disrupting most run plays. Standing at 6’0 285 Vernon has an extremely bright future ahead of him. The Philly native has a few top high school programs in play right now with St. Joes prep, Roman Catholic, and Imhotep. Super excited to see what he does over the next couple years.
- dominant DL
- strong/physical
- overall dawg