Hidden Gems To Watch From The CFI Carolinas MEGA Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The CFI Carolinas MEGA Showcase has seen double-digit players receive offers from colleges so far, and the coaches from the showcase selected several top players. However, there were several players in attendance who showed flashes of performing well and have done things on the field that have been highlight worthy throughout their careers. We are going to name some of these "hidden gems" that are going to be players to keep an eye on throughout the summer and into the upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterbacks In New Places</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One theme for the CFI Carolinas MEGA Showcase was that there were several players at the QB spot who will be at new schools this upcoming season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321016' first='Cameron' last='Gandy']</strong> will be attending Southlake Christian this year after previously attending Pine Lake Prep. Cameron holds an offer from New Mexico and exhibits a strong arm with good accuracy from the pocket. Expect Southlake to open it up and let Cameron throw the ball around the field, putting up a lot of points this year. Former East Mecklenburg QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608327' first='Adam' last='Aoun']</strong> is now at Marvin Ridge, and he is excited to throw the ball to a very talented wide receiver in [player_tooltip player_id='1455237' first='Alex' last='Voss'], who committed to Boston College earlier in the offseason. Adam should take a big step in developing as a passer as a result. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big and strong passer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600193' first='Logan' last='Misocky']</strong> is moving on from Covenant Day to Charlotte Catholic for his senior season. The 6'5 left-hander should have some opportunities to make some big plays as defenses gear up to shut down the vaunted Cougars Wing-T rushing attack. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1656741' first='Ethan' last='Presley']</strong>, after a good season last year at East Gaston, has moved deeper into Gastonia to play for Hunter Huss. Throwing for nearly 2000 yards and 20 touchdowns last year, Presley should have some athletes to get the ball to in the Huskies' offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1278252' first='Lincoln' last='Carlberg']</strong> has moved on from Cox Mill HS up to South Rowan, which is coming off its first playoff appearance since 1984. Lincoln should pair well with young running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1264500' first='Jayden' last='Arthur']</strong>, who also did some impressive things during the CFI Carolinas MEGA Showcase recently. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakout Potential Players </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here at Prep Redzone North Carolina, we always pride ourselves on trying to be ahead of the curve on players we think could be ready to step into the spotlight. Several of those players were in attendance at the CFI Carolinas MEGA Showcase. Running Back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='630404' first='Mason' last='Emery']</strong> is leaving Cox Mill to attend Ambassador Christian School, which is coming into its first year as a Varsity program. Expect them to lean on Emery's talent and speed as a back as a workhorse as they get their feet wet as a newer football program. The aforementioned Cox Mill High School has seen some players leave, but that also can open up opportunities. Wide Receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1668973' first='Sione' last='Latimore']</strong> is a good bet to get a lot of balls thrown his way. He looked very good physically and flashed some downfield speed and play-making ability during the showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hickory Ridge High School also had several players in attendance, and some of them will be important for first-year Head Coach Brandon Gentry to get off to a good start for the Ragin Bulls. Athlete <strong>Ezekiel Kelly</strong> figures to be a go-to guy on both sides of the ball, but I like him as a running back who can do some special things once he gets out into space. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1185818' first='Hayden' last='Hall']</strong> figures to be an important piece at the linebacker spot, anchoring the Ragin Bulls defense at the 2nd level. Defensive End <strong>Kingston Young</strong>, being on the opposite of high-level EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1159997' first='Jace' last='McCallum'], figures to have some single-blocking opportunities to get to the quarterback. Finally, 2028 DB <strong>Kennis Kimble</strong> has some intriguing size at 6'1 and should have an opportunity to contribute as a younger player in the Ragin' Bulls program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linemen Are The Engine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a former offensive line coach, I always like shining a light on the big guys that don't always get a lot of love. 2028 IOL prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113107' first='Tim' last='Hames']</strong> from Palisades made waves last year as a freshman who started and played well on Varsity for the Pumas, and that has him in our State Rankings already. Timothy will continue to grow and get physically stronger, helping anchor a talented Pumas' front line. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272816' first='Alexander' last='Luebke']</strong> is one of the hardest-working offensive linemen in the state, and his size at 6'5 and 270 pounds is going to keep college coaches keen on how he continues to develop this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive Linemen<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1615609' first='Semaj' last='Robinson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600477' first='Joshua' last='Butler']</strong> at Independence will need to have strong seasons for the Patriots to get back to going deep in the playoffs after a 2nd round playoff exit last year. Robinson, at 6'1 and 240 pounds, has the potential to be a consistent disruptor at the line of scrimmage - he will need to make sure to leverage some of the quickness he showed during the showcase as an advantage against bigger offensive linemen. Butler is in a similar boat, but he has a good chance because he has a non-stop motor and work ethic, and players like that always find a way to be successful at this level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Players Of Note</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In reviewing some of the video footage, two players on defense really stood out. <strong>MarKalen Camp</strong> at Burns, I think he is going to be one of those players that end up being all over the field, making tackles sideline to sideline. He showed some really good athleticism and speed throughout the showcase. Also, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1318478' first='Mason' last='Hefner']</strong> at Lake Norman - as a safety, sometimes you don't get to show everything at these types of showcases, but his film shows an intelligent player who is rangy and isn't afraid to come up and tackle in run support. He will be a big key to success in the Lake Norman defense this season. Finally, defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623121' first='Taveon' last='Whisnant']</strong> at Crest has the potential to really be a force on the line of scrimmage for the Chargers - there are not a lot of guys bench pressing 315 at his size, to go along with the speed he showed off the ball at times throughout this showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->