Players who turned heads at the East Middle School Camp

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FORT MILL |</strong> (pictured) Defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595010' first='Taddrick' last='Gibson']</strong> has faced expectations since he began playing for Dutch Fork Middle School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is the feeder program to the Palmetto State's current Class 5A championship dynasty. As he transitions to high school, he's well-prepared for the rigors and challenges required by head coach Tom Knotts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“He's really strict on all of us,” said Gibson following Sunday's East Middle School Camp at Fort Mill. “He's getting us ready for the top (competition).”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gibson was among the campers who were awarded gold Prep Redzone Next necklaces. The 5-foot 11, 160-pounder displayed natural coverage ability which drew comparisons to graduating Silver Foxes cornerback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“He's really good at tackling and is good at covering,” Gibson said. “He's awesome at covering, so I'm just ready to go in and take over his role.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Such confidence was also exhibited by other standout campers:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='437772' first='Brayden' last='Boults']</strong> RB, (Ebenezer) – Crestwood's backfield future looks in good hands. The 5-foot 8, 160-pounder beat out four other campers to earn top honors in the 40-yard dash. He runs low to the ground and can accelerate in the open field. As a seventh grader, he received an offer from UNC-Pembroke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1590819' first='Jalen' last='Newsome']</strong> DB, (Accellus, Va.) – The 5-foot 8, 145-pounder posted a camp-high 8'11 on the broad jump. He was also awarded a gold PRZ Next necklace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1612496' first='Aiden' last='El-Alaily']</strong> QB (GW Middle School, Va.) – The 5-foot 11, 150-pound lefthander showed deft footwork and speed during drills. He already possesses a relaxed but accurate passing release.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301735' first='Dash' last='Holley']</strong> LB (Rawlinson Road) – The 5-foot 11, 190 pound eighth grader was the lone linebacker at the camp. He put it plenty of work defending running backs and wide receivers. Holley could grow into an defensive line where his height and quickness should be an asset at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jace Connelly</strong> DL (Walter Johnson, N.C.) and <strong>Awesome Cull</strong> (Carlo Middle School) – Both six foot defensive linemen were just two of three at the camp. Each had strong showings in the individual drills and seemingly took away plenty of tips and instructions from the coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->