Army Bowl: West stars of the week
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SAN ANTONIO - Moreno Valley (Calif.) Rancho Verde defensive end Ronald Powell may not have taken home the U.S. Army Player of the Year honors this week in San Antonio, but the five-star prospect definitely made a case that he deserves a look to be the nation's No. 1-ranked prospect.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Powell dominated all week at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio and he capped things off by taking home the most outstanding player honors on Saturday. Powel finished the game with five tackles, one sack and a forced fumble on defense, to go along with a 27-yard touchdown reception on defense and a 97-yard return for a two-point conversion off a blocked extra point on special teams. Powell showed that he has the versatility and athleticism to possibly play more positions at the next level than any other player in the country.
The Florida commit said he was motivated to have a strong showing on Saturday after not taking home the national player of the year honors on Friday.
"After last night, I didn't win the player of the year award so I made sure I had [this] trophy in my hand," Powell said after he took home the MVP honors during Saturday's Army Bowl.
San Antonio Madison and West head coach Jim Streety said the MVP trophy Powell hoisted on Saturday in the Alamo Dome will most likely be the first of many more to come.
"In about four years you are going to be seeing that guy somewhere on Sunday," Streety said of Powell. "He's an unbelievable talent."
Mission Viejo (Calif.) head coach and West offensive coordinator Bob Johnson was also high on Powell. Powell was the only player Johnson felt stood out over the rest of the competition during his time in San Antonio.
"Defensively the kid that's jumped off the chart to me is Powell," Johnson said. "He's really something." - Sean Callahan
U.S. Army All-American Bowl Week Top Performers
DE, 6-4/230, Moreno Valley (Calif.) Rancho Verde
Committed to Florida
There probably isn't a player in the entire game that had as impressive of an all-around week as Powell. Powell's athleticism was a known commodity heading into the week but somehow he managed to surpass expectations. Capping the week off with a touchdown catch at tight end and a blocked kick returned for a two-point conversion in Saturday's game, it's hard to imagine Powell doing much more. More importantly though, Powell showed that he's not just a finesse athlete. He played with a motor and a physicality that can be rare out of speed rushers. Powell certainly stated a case for the No. 1 spot in the nation.
DE, 6-3/234, Portland (Ore.) David Douglas
All week long, Odighizuwa showed consistency, effort and ability. His biggest strength was his power which he showed early in the week by steam-rolling the top rated player in the nation during one-on-ones. Odighizuwa definitely has the ability to beat linemen with his athleticism but he is always willing to just go straight through them. Even if he doesn't get a sack, he will always shrink the pocket drastically with his presence. On Saturday, Odighizuwa added some instincts to his resume, maintaining good position and playing assignment football to thwart some big plays. Already a five-star, Odighizuwa made a strong statement this week and should see his ranking continue to climb.
OT, 6-8/301, St. Paul (Minn.) Cretin-Derham Hall
When all was said and done, Henderson lived up to the hype. Despite showing up with a target on his back due to his top national ranking and though he took a day to get adjusted to the speed and talent surrounding him, Henderson ultimately showed why he is such a rare, coveted talent. Henderson already has an NFL body without a doubt and he is so athletic at that size. As the week progressed, he didn't give an inch in the pass game and the West usually found success in the run game behind his strong left side. He is just plain scary blocking defenders on the second level. It will be very difficult to justify any drop in ranking of such a rare prospect, even if that rank is the top spot in the country.
4. Jake Heaps
QB, 6-2/195, Sammamish (Wash.) Skyline
Committed to BYU
Though quarterbacks struggled all week with inclement weather conditions, the lone face of consistency was Heaps. On Saturday in the Alamodome, Heaps displayed that same consistency, staking claim as probably the most polished, college-ready passer in the class of 2010. He made some great throws in the game including deep balls, touch passes and a few he had to put on a rope to fit into small windows. Maybe more impressive was Heaps poise in the pocket and calm under pressure. He never panicked, he made good decisions, and he bought himself more time only when necessary. He definitely looked the part of the nation's top quarterback prospect this week.
RB, 5-11/187, San Diego (Calf.) Mission Bay
Committed to USC
With a number of big-name backs competing in San Antonio, Baxter on many occasions looked like the most explosive of the bunch. If you're an offensive coordinator, you can leave one man unblocked and just count on Baxter taking care of that defender. He is fantastic in space and always makes the first man miss. Baxter can catch the ball well out of the backfield, has good speed and also has plenty of potential as a wildcat quarterback with good throwing ability and the toughness to run between the tackles. Already a five-star, Baxter did enough to put him in the conversation as the best back in the nation.
DT, 6-3/275, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian
Committed to LSU
Perhaps no one helped themselves more with their All-American Bowl week than Marsh. He came in as a low four-star prospect that was considered one of the top defensive tackles in the West and he left making it clear that he is one of the top interior defenders in the entire country. Marsh plays with a ton of confidence and effort but he is also very athletic. He was a mainstay in the backfield and usually had at least one of every day's biggest hits or most impressive plays. Though he doesn't have great size, Marsh's athleticism and strength are more than enough for him to have dominating showings.
7. Robert Woods
WR, 6-1/180, Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra
Committed to USC
Woods does it all for his high school team on defense, offense and special teams. In San Antonio, he was primarily an offensive player and he proved that he is an elite wide receiver in this class. He has very good speed, great hands and is about as fluid as any wide receiver in the class. This week, Woods showed a route-running ability that is polished and advanced. Though he doesn't have the size of a Kyle Prater or Da'Rick Rogers, he has great explosiveness and is certainly one of the top athletes in this class if not pure wide receivers.
WR, 6-0/170, Galena Park (Texas) North Shore
Committed to Alabama
White has limited size but he has elite speed. He is able to really stretch the field vertically and break down a defensive back's cushion immediately. White also has good route-running ability and is able to get open on much more than just vertical routes. He proved during the week that he is a complete wide receiver that can do more than just catch fade routes. He was consistently one of the toughest receivers to cover on the West in one-on-one drills. White should be considered as one of the nation's top wide receiver prospects.
DE, 6-4/240, Haltom City (Texas) Haltom
Committed to Texas
Wilson is all about speed. He is not a big defender and is really a tweener playing defensive end in a linebacker's body. Wilson is probably best suited for a 3-4 outside linebacker's role but with a hand down he is still a handful. His speed caused offensive tackles problems all week and makes it very hard for an offensive lineman to get his hands on him. If he is engaged, he struggles but his speed alone allows him to be a threat as a speed rusher, if only as a situational player.
10. Trey Hopkins
OG, 6-4/270, Galena Park (Texas) North Shore
Committed to Texas
For his position, Hopkins does not have great size but he does have great physicality. Hopkins is extremely effective as a run blocker, plays with extremely good leverage and is a finisher on offense. Over the course of the week, the West offensive success for the most part came behind the duo of Hopkins and Seantrel Henderson on the left side. Not only were they able to create major running room but also they rarely allowed pressure to the quarterback's blind side.
11. Calvin Barnett
DT, 6-3/330, Tulsa (Okla.) Booker T. Washington
Committed to Oklahoma State
Barnett surprised a lot of people with his play this week. He showed up in San Antonio looking a little out of shape and that showed at times with a couple of injuries during the week but when he was in, he was a force. Barnett is a very big body with deceptive athleticism but his biggest asset is his power. He is a run-stuffer that eats up blockers and made a major impact in the game on Saturday. On a blocked field goal and a blocked extra point, both returned to paydirt in the other direction, Barnett was the chief instigator, caving the line on both occasions. With hard work, Barnett has the potential to be a major impact player in the Big 12.
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