Army Bowl game: Stock Report

SAN ANTONIO – The West dominated the East in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday at the Alamodome and numerous players had good and bad performances. Here is a closer look at them:

1. QB Shea Patterson, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy

The five-star Ole Miss commit only threw nine passes all game but completed six of them and had two touchdowns. He was absolutely dynamic and in typical Patterson form created in the pocket, dodged defenders and fired the ball all over the field. The IMG star threw a 35-yard TD in the first quarter on a double reverse pass and then hit WR Javon McKinley with a strike in the end zone to extend the lead in the second quarter.

2. ATH Tyler Byrd, Naples, Fla.

Byrd was everywhere and if not for Patterson definitely was the best player in the game. The Miami pledge had an interception early, then he blocked an extra point and returned it for two points and had a bunch of pass deflections. The four-star was tested a bunch on the outside and Byrd answered the call nearly every time.

3. CB Jack Jones, Long Beach (Calif.) Poly

Jones has flip-flopped between cornerback and wide receiver over the years, but he’s establishing himself as one of the best corners in this class especially after an outstanding week. Jones was great in practice and then backed it up in the game with an interception in the end zone plus a few breakups. The four-star basically shut down his side of the field playing with fire and determination.

4. CB Byron Murphy, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro

In similar fashion to Jones, Murphy essentially cut the field in half by shutting down receivers all game on his side and taking the East receivers off their routes and out of the game. On a poorly-thrown pass, Murphy also recorded an interception and did everything right, once again, as he continues to prove he’s one of the best corners in the class.

5. LB Caleb Kelly, Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West

Maybe more than any linebacker in the game, Kelly was active. He moved sideline-to-sideline to make plays and did a tremendous job slowing down or shutting down plays altogether. The five-star uncommitted linebacker who is still looking at Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Oregon was also physical and helped track plays down all game long.

6. WR Tyler Vaughns, La Puente (Calif.) Bishop Amat

Vaughns, the top-rated receiver in California, had only three catches but his touchdown was so impressive as he snatched the ball out of the air – as he has done for years – and beat Jordan Fuller for the score. It was a great pass and an even better catch as the USC commit continues the push to be one of the nation’s best receivers.

7. RB Vavae Malepeai, Mililani, Hawaii

Malepeai doesn’t seem to have incredible speed but then he slips through a small hole, bursts for more yards and has tremendous balance. The Oregon commit also falls forward for extra yards, seems to be able to stutter-step to make a move around defenders and does an excellent job slipping through small spaces. He averaged more than eight yards per carry.

8. QB K.J. Costello, Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic

The four-star Stanford commit found Vaughns in the end zone and later hit four-star tight end Devin Asiasi as he broke into open space. Overall, Costello had a strong performance even with a hand injury that he sustained earlier in the week. He zipped the ball to receivers, didn’t overthrow guys and did a nice job staying in the pocket even with the rush coming right at his face.

9. DE Josh Brown, Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek

Brown played a hybrid linebacker/defensive end role all week and really came through in the game as he caused a fumble and also blew up an option run for a six-yard loss. Hard-hitting, fast and tough, the Florida State commit did an excellent job being disciplined on the edge and then coming up and hitting people in the backfield.

10. ATH Mecole Hardman Jr., Bowman (Ga.) Elbert County

Hardman had a game-high 143 total yards and that’s what can be expected from the five-star athlete. Wherever he goes to college – Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee are the frontrunners – fans can expect an electric player who can break big runs on offense or in the return game at all times. He’s slippery and tough to tackle and he has tremendous speed to bring it big down the field.

11. ATH Sewo Olonilua, Kingwood, Texas

There was some question early in the week whether the TCU commit would play safety/linebacker or running back and the West team must be thrilled they put him in the backfield. The four-star scored on a one-yard run after an early turnover and also had a few other nice runs to keep the ball moving downfield. Moving to defense would be interesting because Ololilua showed he can be an asset at running back.

12. DT Dexter Lawrence, Wake Forest, N.C.

Lawrence is listed as having only three tackles but he was a force up the middle, pushed the interior of the offensive line into the backfield and overpowered linemen all game. The five-star also did a nice job getting to the sideline on stretch plays and even some passes where he came off the line and was involved in slowing down receivers trying to get back to the middle.

13. WR Simi Fehoko, Salt Lake City (Utah) Brighton

Other than a 15-yard reception later in the game, Fehoko made his mark early on the double reverse pass that went for a touchdown. The Stanford commit did a great job setting up the cornerback defending him on that play, then be broke free across the middle to get wide open and Patterson put the ball on the money. All week, Fehoko showed nice hands and the ability to use his speed to burn by defensive backs.

14. LB Erick Fowler, Manor, Texas

Another hybrid linebacker/defensive end, Fowler did an excellent job setting the edge and forcing running backs inside. The four-star LSU commit had five tackles and at least one quarterback hurry and also contributed by forcing the running back to others so they could make the stop. Fowler was in the backfield a lot and did a great job slowing down the East offense all game.

1. QB Feleipe Franks, Crawfordville (Fla.) Wakulla

Franks had a bad game. There’s no other way to put it. The four-star Florida commit finished 1 of 7 passing for eight yards and he threw two really poor interceptions. He never looked comfortable in the pocket and he tried to make highlight-reel passes. Instead, he turned it over both times.

2. RB Tavien Feaster, Spartanburg, S.C.

Feaster had one carry for four yards in the whole game. Soon after that touch, the four-star Clemson commit limped off the field and did not have another carry. This has become an issue as early in the week Feaster missed a practice with sore knees and minor injuries have held him out of other events.

3. WR DeKaylin Metcalf, Oxford, Miss.

Metcalf is a 6-foot-5 outside receiver who should be able to physically dominate on the field and since he’s such a big target, quarterbacks should just be able to throw in his direction and he would come down with it. That was not the case in the Army game since Metcalf had no catches and was shut down all game. He had an issue with drops during the week and didn’t perform well in the game.

4. DE Brian Burns, Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage

After an excellent week of practice where he dominated his side of the field and seemed to beat every offensive tackle, Burns was really quiet in the game and didn’t produce much. The four-star got handled a few times when the run came to his side as well and Burns wasn’t as big of a factor as expected.

5. DT Julian Rochester, Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern

Rochester didn’t do much to slow West’s electric offense and was only really involved when he was flagged for roughing the passer, which kept the West on the field. He’s a massive prospect who can be difficult to handle and fast off the edge but he didn’t get in the backfield much and when he did, the Georgia commit got a huge penalty.

6. QB Jacob Eason, Lake Stevens, Wash.

The five-star Georgia committed finished 6 of 13 passing for a team-high 71 yards but he underthrew his receiver and Jones picked it off. Also, on the first drive, Eason wasn’t prepared for the snap and then he fumbled it away; the West scored a couple plays later. To be fair, Eason was asked to roll out a lot, throw on the run and go under center and those aren’t playing to his strengths.

7. CB Trayvon Mullen, Coconut Creek, Fla.

Mullen was the cornerback defending Fehoko on the double reverse pass for a touchdown and he didn’t show great discipline as that play developed. It isn’t fair to be overly critical just for that trick play because it was well-designed and executed but Mullen didn’t do much all game, really all week, and could have done more.