Ohio Combine Series Top Offensive And Defensive Skill Performers

While the line positions were smaller in number that was not the case for the skill positions. There were a lot of skill position players that showed up to show off their talents.   Running Backs    Young, a rising senior, was one of the Camp MVP's on the day. Young has a thick and powerful frame. Even though he's a taller back, he runs with a low center of gravity. Having evaluated Young's film he's a violent runner, but where my eyes were really opened in the combine was his ability as a receiver. Landon ran solid routes and made explosive cuts. He showed the ability to make the catch through contact.     Jenkins had a big day at the combine especially in the 1v1 portion of the event. I think there was only 1 rep on the day where he failed to get open. He runs his routes with great tempo and sets up his explosive cuts well. Along with being a back who can make guys miss in the run game he's a back who can make plays in the passing game from out of the backfield or lined up in the slot.     Stone was one of the faster players to participate in the combine. Whether it's in the run game or in the pass game Walker is a very sudden runner who can start and stop on a dime. I love him in the role of a change of pace back who uses his vision and explosiveness to hit chunk plays on quick hitters. In the pass game he'll have no trouble getting separation versus linebackers in the pass game. He showed off his hands and body control on a fantastic one hand grab with his back to the ground.    Wide Receivers    Wash was easily one of the most impressive wide receivers to come out and compete. He's a versatile receiver who I think could line up either in the slot or on the outside. Wash runs his routes with great tempo and does a great job of dropping his hips and getting in and out of his breaks. He tracks the ball well on vertical routes and can go up and get it.     Lawrence is a young and talented wide receiver who really popped for me. He's a fluid athlete who makes everything he does look easy. He's a smooth glider who has the ability to make subtle, but explosive breaks and gain big separation. Greg is also a natural hand's catcher with the ability to make the catch in stride.     McKnight is a bigger wide receiver who showed an ability to win with both explosiveness and power. He was able to get strong releases against good press man coverage. He's able to physically outman defenders for the ball when it's in the air. As a route runner he knows how to use leverage and has the speed to pull away in the open field.     Harrington was one of the bigger receivers who came out to compete. At 6'4 190 pounds Harrington provides quarterbacks a big catch radius. He's showed quick feet and good hips in his route running. He also showed the ability to go up and get it on 50/50 balls. Harrington has the frame to continue to add good weight, and I could see him potentially growing into a hybrid tight end.    Quarterbacks    I thought Young had the best day of the quarterbacks in attendance. At 6'4 has the prerequisite height college coaches are looking for and has an athletic build. When it comes to throwing the ball, Brady can really spin it. He has compact and quick throwing motion that allows him to get the ball out in a hurry. He showed the ability to drive the ball into windows as well as make the touch throws. Unfortunately, Brady missed his sophomore season due to injury. I think with continued development he's going to have a chance to put some really strong film out that will have the college coaches calling this fall.     Heckman was a QB that I was interested in seeing. The 2027 QB from Reynoldsburg has a sturdy build and a good base to work from physically. As a thrower Heckman has a live arm and a smooth throwing motion. He showed off the touch to drop the ball in the bucket. I'm really excited to see what he can put on film this fall because the physical traits are definitely there.     The incoming senior for Buckeye Valley was on point with his throws all day long. Huss showed the ability to drive the ball into spots where only his guy could get it on the intermediate throws. On one particular out throw he put the ball on the money, high and outside. He also showed really nice touch on his deep ball. Looking like Huss has a big senior season incoming.     I've had the good fortune of seeing Diezel a few times now. He's just a throwback football player. With the ball in his hands, he's a gritty runner who can get tough yards when needed. As a thrower he has plus arm strength and is unafraid to throw the ball into windows. Aside from the physical traits I really liked Taylor's all business focus and approach.    Defensive Backs    Pickett took home one of the 3 camp MVP honors. In one on one's Pickett locked down nearly every receiver he faced. Pickett is sound in his technique. He has good footwork, and he understands leverages. Though he's not a bigger back I really thought Tai did a good job getting his hands on guys and being physical at the line of scrimmage. When the ball goes in the air he showed a nice break on the ball. He had a nice INT in one on one's where he hung back and jumped the route for the pick.     Sometimes as a young cornerback it can be intimidating to go up against older players. On a day where the numbers in the wide receiver group far outnumbered the defensive backs, Hill never backed down. Hill has really quick feet and a quiet back pedal. He has loose and violent hips that he's able to use to transition from backpedal to run. Hill tracks the ball well and does a good job of playing the ball rather than the man. It's going to be fun to see Hill continue to develop and put things together.

While the line positions were smaller in number that was not the case for the skill positions. There were a lot of skill position players that showed up to show off their talents.