MVP Players: CFI Carolinas MEGA Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charlotte Football Insiders (CFI) hosted over 230 players at their MEGA Showcase at Ballantyne Ridge High School on Saturday, May 16th. There was a TON of talent at every position, and we will detail what we saw over the next week or so. Over 20 colleges were in attendance, and several offers from the showcase were given out - we will detail the ones we know in a separate article as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, we will share the MVPs at each position selected by me after gaining feedback from position coaches, high school head coaches, and college coaches who were in attendance in person at the showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>QUARTERBACK MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["525514"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0a12e4a1b30"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As I went through announcing coaching staff selections for top quarterbacks, I had several people tell me Cole was the most consistent quarterback in attendance at the showcase. They raved about Cole's arm strength and accuracy, combined with strong mechanics, with each throw he delivered throughout the day. Cole has had a strong offseason, and he's got a new offensive coordinator and some talented receivers to throw to in the Pumas' offensive attack. I'm expecting a big season this year for Cole, and he showed a lot to be excited about in this showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>RUNNING BACK MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2137410"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0a12e4a1b75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There was an impressive group of backs in attendance, which you will see once we get to the running back analysis article, but Thomas-Wright continued to show why he is racking up offers in abundance this offseason. The physical look of his body, combined with how fluid he was in going through drills, was stunning. You don't see many kids move that well with the weight he was carrying. Thomas-Wright's footwork was strong, and he showed me that he could catch well in the pass game 1-on-1s against linebackers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>TIGHT END MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Will Pless","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"250","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hunter Huss","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0a12e4a1bd9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Going into this showcase, I did not know much about Will, admittedly. But he's got excellent size, to the point where some people think he could have success as an offensive tackle. That goes to the point of his athleticism at this size - he moves pretty well and can be a nice target in the middle of the field for quarterbacks in the passing game. I'm excited to see how well of a blocker Will can be as an in-line tight end. I could see a school taking a chance on him based on how that tape looks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>WIDE RECEIVER MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1657753"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0a12e4a1bff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was a TOUGH choice as the receivers' coaching staff felt like there were at least 15 receivers who deserved recognition - this was the deepest group at this particular showcase. The consensus, though, was that Doc was the most consistent with his route running, showing a wide variety of routes in the route tree. Doc showed he could high-point the football in the red zone 1 on 1's, and he showed speed to create separation against man coverage. With a talented QB throwing him the ball, Doc could have a huge breakout season coming his way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>OFFENSIVE LINE MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1690981"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0a12e4a1c20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We had a good offensive line group in attendance, and the OL coaches worked hard in choosing who the top performers were. Cleveland received a lot of love for his physicality in pass protection, not giving ground against defensive tackles in 1-on-1s, and the way he took coaching in the individual portion of the showcase. Cleveland has started to receive some recruiting love, and he's a strong interior offensive line prospect. He should have a strong senior year with the Mavericks coming up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>DEFENSIVE LINE MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616163"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0a12e4a1c3f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was a VERY deep group on the defensive line for this showcase. Defensive line coaches narrowed things down using how these players moved during the agility circuit and their performance in the pass rush 1-on-1 periods during the showcase. Makai was explosive off the edge and showed a wide variety of pass rush moves I haven't seen from him before, showing he clearly isn't just satisfied with the two Division 1 offers he's received early in his high school career. I'm expecting a big year for him at Weddington, a school used to dominant defensive linemen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>LINEBACKER MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104509"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0a12e4a1c5f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was a good group of linebackers with nice athleticism and speed in the open field. We'll talk more about the group during the positional breakdown article, but they were impressive in pass coverage. At his size, Brayden moved very well throughout the entire showcase. I liked his aggressiveness in the Cat/Mouse 1 on 1 period - that is a drill where coaches want linebackers to trust their eyes and get their head across on where the running back is trying to go. That's something Brayden did well in my opinion. He will be an important piece for Stuart Cramer on both sides of the ball this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>DEFENSIVE BACK MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2210048"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0a12e4a1c7e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was a tough choice because the coaching staff was split on who the top performer was, so I went to some coaches in attendance and asked their thoughts. The consensus was that JT was the most impressive overall, so he is our MVP here. His head coach, DJ McFadden, shouted him on Twitter/X already as a rising sophomore, and that spoke volumes to me as well. JT's burst in man-to-man coverage is impressive, and he showed excellent speed and agility in the open field. West Charlotte had a number of players transfer, but as JT showed at this showcase, they still have a lot of talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>ATHLETE MVP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Daniel Carter","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"200","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Harding","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0a12e4a1cc2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We had a number of players play on both sides of the ball during the 1-on-1 portion of the showcase. Daniel was impressive playing both wide receiver and defensive back, and he will definitely be added in our next rankings update. Daniel's reach on defense allows him to break up a lot of balls, and he's got really good footwork on that side of the ball. As a receiver, that length works well to give him a large catch radius. He also shows the vertical ability to win in the air in one on one situations. Impressive day for him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->