PRZ Next Clayton: Middle School Notebook & Takeaways

Our Prep Redzone North Carolina Combine was yesterday and we decided to combine the middle and high schoolers. While no middle schoolers directly competed with high schoolers in one-on-ones, I did compare the two. After all, these guys will develop into high schoolers and eventually play at that level.   Rather than a generic "top performers" piece, I've decided to use this as a notes dump of sorts, with details I picked up throughout the day on every player in attendance. Here, I'm looking at the strong group of middle school players in attendance with notes on each.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PRZ Next Clayton Combine Notebook</h2>   Every player in attendance flashed at one point or another throughout the day, and I don't say that lightly. I was genuinely impressed wtih every middle schooler I saw. I don't have access to full testing data yet, so reach out on Twitter (@whelms21) if you want to give me your speed/explosion numbers. I was also tasked with focusing primarily on the offensive players, but I was able to get eyes on the defensive guys as well. Here are some key takeaways from Sunday's combine.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1) Strong Group of Quarterbacks Dominates Conversation</h3>   It's so easy to get sucked into just watching the quarterbacks. With a large group, I have to be locked in to look at mechanics, footwork, and accuracy. I try not to focus too much on them, because they often dominate our viewing, but I found it hard to look away Sunday. Every middle school QB looked strong, so much so that I had them throwing routes to the high school running backs, and many of those guys decided to test their young passers' arms.   I was really impressed with future Broughton quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1636550' first='Will' last='Brincefield'], a 2029 guy with good size and a strong arm. He worked on his footwork throughout the camp and the tools are there. He won't have to do too much too soon at the high school level, as Broughton has some strong quarterbacks, allowing him to grow and develop. The ball jumps out of his hand and he kept pace with some of the high schoolers.   Similarly, [player_tooltip player_id='1664518' first='Christopher' last='Person Jr']. stood out as a guy with a bigger arm and decent size for the eighth grade level. He was fiery and loved getting as many reps as possible. As the camp progressed, he settled in from an accuracy standpoint, throwing some great passes in one-one-ones.   Future Corinth Holders QB [player_tooltip player_id='1663550' first='Khasim' last='George'] was solid. The Corinth Holders staff is excellent at developing quarterbacks and we have multiple players at that position ranked in our high school rankings. I'm excited to see what that staff can do with George's raw talent, because there's a lot there to work with.   Another guy who grew into the day was future Hickory Ridge quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1660512' first='Meyer' last='Passino']. A 2030 with an accurate arm, Passino seemed to focus more on trying to get better than trying to stand out amongst his peers. I loved that, especially from a young guy. As his confidence in his footwork grew on the day, he began to throw a bunch of really accurate passes.   A pair of out-of-state quarterbacks impressed me. First, 2029 Centennial (GA) quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1224522' first='Roman' last='Benefield'] isn't the biggest guy, but he has a live arm and good accuracy. He was throwing high school routes with ease. Similarly, South Carolina 2030 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1665437' first='Asahn' last='Robinson'] had some zip on his throws, showing good poise and accuracy   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2) A Battle Between Offensive and Defensive Skills Players</h3>   It was a true joy to see the guys at RB and WR take on the LBs and DBs. Those guys got plenty of work together and became familiar with one another due to the lower overall number of middle schoolers. It was a battle all day between LB [player_tooltip player_id='1633351' first='Jonah' last='Terry'] and RB [player_tooltip player_id='1666039' first='Jacori' last='McMillan']. Both RDU area guys, they went back-and-forth all day and if there'd been some less talented RBs or LBs in attendance, each guy would have dominated his respective position.   As it was, it was a back-and-forth affair, with McMillan's shiftiness going against Terry's advanced technique (especially for a 2030). I left impressed with both guys, even when one lost a rep.   [player_tooltip player_id='1658663' first='Amar'e' last='Johnson'] out of Roseville probably had the best hands of the day. The 2030 caught just about everything that came his way, even off the occasional pass from a high schooler, which came with a bigger football.   [player_tooltip player_id='1660155' first='Isaiah' last='Parsons'] hasn't yet filled out his frame, but he looked pretty good, catching a couple of long passes and standing out as a route-runner. When he can put on some weight in a high school weight program, we expect him to contribute at the high school level.   Pinewood Prep (SC) receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1658569' first='Colten' last='Fuller'] had one of the best release packages of any receiver in attendance, and that's counting the high schoolers. What he can do at the start of routes should endear him to his high school coaches and earn him some early playing time as a freshman. He knows how to get open, which is key for smaller, younger players.   Tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1665974' first='Owen' last='Dayoc'] out of Jacksonville, NC flashed as a pass-catcher. He already has good size and we think he could develop into a solid receiver at the high school level, especially at a school like Northside that loves to hit the tight ends on pop passes and vertical routes.   Defensive backs are used to being put on an island, but Franklinton's [player_tooltip player_id='1163065' first='Exavier' last='Allen'] was left all alone Sunday, literally. He was the only middle school DB in attendance, meaning he got every rep against the receivers. He rose to the occasion, winning his fair share of reps over the course of the camp. I was excited to see him and I left impressed.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3) Trench Players Put in the Work</h3>   Line coaches Chavar Tyrance and Greg Greene put their guys through the ringer, giving the middle schoolers a taste of what high school practices can be like. That was good news for the offensive and defensive linemen. Offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='865972' first='Jackson' last='Jenkins'] pulled double-duty, playing tackle against Wando (SC) edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1612459' first='Awesome' last='Cull'] and guard/center against Trinity Christian interior defender [player_tooltip player_id='892101' first='Genesis' last='Allen'].   He was stalwart on the offensive line. A future tackle, I wouldn't be surprised if Jenkins starts on the interior of Northern Nash's line this upcoming season. His elite size didn't prevent him from showing advanced technique and a strong kick step.   That didn't prevent Allen and Cull from impressing though. Cull has the length, and some time in a high school weight room will take his game to the next level. His first step in great, and as he develops secondary and counter pass-rushing moves to complement his speed rush, he's going to rack up sacks.   Allen has good power and quickness. He's developing a patience and pass-rush plan and as he does that, he's going to be a force on the interior. The coaches were really working with him on his hand placement and usage, something that he picked up as the camp progressed.

Our Prep Redzone North Carolina Combine was yesterday and we decided to combine the middle and high schoolers. While no middle schoolers directly competed with high schoolers in one-on-ones, I did compare the two. After all, these guys will develop into high schoolers and eventually play at that level.