U.S. Army Bowl Combine (Part II)

MOUNT PLEASANT | It did not take long for [player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron'] to get attention at the U.S. Army Bowl Regional Combine held Sunday at Wando.   Just watching the Ridge View wide receiver go through stretching exercises for one coach at the combine was enough for him. Once Gidron stepped onto the practice field and went through various receiving and running drills, it was only extra assurance for what he and other coaches had decided upon.   Without debate, Gidron was selected to participate in the 2025 U.S. Army Bowl. The game will take place in December at AT&T Stadium in Frisco, Texas, and the home of the Dallas Cowboys.   Nicknamed “America's Biggest Week In Football,” the activities include a National Combine, a Middle School All-Star Team Tackle championship and a boys and girls Flag Football tournament.    Gidron was not the only player in the afternoon session to make a positive impression:   [player_tooltip player_id='579278' first='Alonzo' last='Allen'] DB, Whale Branch   The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Warrior played very much like a “bulldog” in hounding and covering wide receivers of all sizes. His tenacious pursuit of the football was evident when he chased down wide receivers on downfield passes and prevented a completion. Even when he faced a taller wide receiver, Allen refused to give up an advantage. He participated in the Joanne Langfitt Junior Showcase game in Myrtle Beach last December.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012621' first='Devin' last='Geronomi'] DB, White Knoll   The rising senior continues to receive attention as a physical cornerback who uses his length and speed to frustrate wide receivers. His long arms were responsible for six pass breakups last season and his toughness fits well into head coach Nick Pelham's “no backdown” defense.   Dre Howard QB, Ridge View   The rising 5-foot-9, 150-pound son of Blazers head coach Derek Howard saw significant playing time at backup. In fact, he played a game more than starter [player_tooltip player_id='997121' first='Breylon' last='Boyd'] and finished with 1,103 yards and 10 touchdowns. Possesses a high passing IQ and has a shown throwing motion throwing both long and short, timing passes.   [player_tooltip player_id='464885' first='Chanston' last='Crosby'] QB, Bamberg-Ehrhardt   With the departure of Shawn Elliott as Georgia State head coach, his previous verbal commitment to the school may be up in the air. Such events like the Combine should give teams a longer second look at the two-sport dual threat quarterback. He's coming off a junior season where he threw for 3,358 yards and 25 touchdowns for the Red Raiders. He should add more muscle to his 6-foot, 170-pound frame and improve his accuracy in the upcoming year.   Landon Cloninger QB, North Myrtle Beach   The 6-0, 180-pound rising senior held his own during passing drills. He excelled in making the short passes and threw the football in a manner which the wide receiver could make a catch without the fear of a cornerback deflecting the pass. He also showed some mobility but works mostly in the pocket.   [player_tooltip player_id='1249788' first='Connor' last='Gooding'] TE, Gilbert   The 6-foot-4, 170 rising senior got overlooked on an Indians' offense with a potent backfield of [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1157968' first='Krew' last='Morris'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay']. He had 22 receptions for 389 yards and eight touchdowns last year and was the latest tight end to develop as a pass-catcher and effective blocker under now-former head coach Chad Leaphart. It will be interesting to see how he performs with a new starting quarterback and head coach.   Speaking about his former head coach:   "Connor is a top talent," Leaphart said. "He has the measurables that coaches are looking for in that he is 6'4 and runs well. He is around 215 right now, but the weight gain will come. He has great hands and does a great job of playing the ball in the air. He's a strong kid that has increased his physicality greatly each year at Gilbert."   [player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins'] DB, Northwestern   At 6-foot-3 and 193 pounds, the rising junior has the size, speed and physicality to play at cornerback, safety and possibly some outside linebacker. He's fast enough to give up a step on a wide receiver and still make the pass deflection as he showed during the Combine.   [player_tooltip player_id='781859' first='Kadin' last='Thomas'], QB, Cheraw   At 6-foot-4 and 178 pounds, the 3-sport athlete looks to be the odds-on favorite to take the starting job with the Braves. He throws hard from the pocket and is hungry to gaining more knowledge on the position.   [player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian Jr']. RB, Ridge View   Another rising sophomore who looks to contribute to the Blazers' offense next season. At 5-foot-7, he shows breakaway speed and is quite agile moving through running drills. Look for Bobian to help provide additional balance to a Blazers' offense which will rely upon Howard making deep plays to Gidron.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157957' first='BROWN' last='REAVES'] TE, North Myrtle Beach   The 6-foot-3, 225-pound rising senior had an opportunity to showcase his receiving skills at the Combine. Already a solid blocker, he showed the capacity to develop into a pass-catcher to Cloninger to target.

MOUNT PLEASANT | It did not take long for Jordon Gidron Jordon Gidron 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2025 State SC to get attention at the U.S. Army Bowl Regional Combine held Sunday at Wando.