The Rivals 3 Stripe Camp Series presented by adidas rolls into Nashville on Sunday, with players from all over the Southeast expected to turn out to compete. Temperatures are expected to reach nearly 90 degrees, and while it will be hot on the field the competition is expected to be even hotter. Here’s a look at five predictions of what we’re expecting to see and hear at the event.
1. WIDE RECEIVER MVP BATTLE WILL BE FUN TO WATCH
The wide receiver group at the event is headlined by Nashville-area residents Trey Knox and Lance Wilhoite, two members of the Rivals100 who will be looking to defend their home turf.
But plenty of other impressive talents are expected, including Rivals250 Kentucky prospect Milton Wright, who walked away with MVP honors as an underclassman at last year’s Columbus stop of the camp series. Add in 2020 Alabama commit Dazalin Worsham as well as several other talents like three-star tight end Cormontae Hamilton and it’s shaping up to be quite the star-studded group.
The defensive back group is also loaded, highlighted by Rivals100 prospect Woodi Washington and Rivals250 defensive back Adonis Otey, so there should be some fun battles.
THE STATE OF KENTUCKY WILL HAVE ANOTHER GOOD WEEK
There were only a handful of prospects from the state of Kentucky at last week’s Columbus stop of the series, but that didn’t stop several from putting on quality performances, including wide receiver MVP winner Wandale Robinson.
The Bluegrass State will be better represented this week in Nashville and players like Wright will surely be expected to impress once again. Seven of the state’s top 10 players are expected to be in attendance, including Rivals100 Michigan commit Stephen Herron, four-star Notre Dame defensive tackle commit Jacob Lacey and three-star Alabama offensive line commit Tanner Bowles. Even if half of the state’s stars live up to their billing it will be another good week for the state.
ALABAMA STAR POWER WILL BE ON DISPLAY
The Rivals 3 Stripe Camp Series already had a stop in the state of Alabama earlier this year, but there are still a few stars from the state expected to turn up in Nashville. The nation’s top-ranked quarterback, Auburn commit Bo Nix, is set to be in attendance, as is Rivals100 Alabama offensive line commit Pierce Quick. Both players are veterans of the Rivals Camp circuit and will be looking to punch their tickets to the Five-Star Challenge, as will 15 other prospects from the Yellow Hammer State expected to be in attendance.
THE VOLS WILL BE A HOT TOPIC
The Volunteers' lone in-state commitment in the Class of 2019 won’t be able to make it to Sunday’s event, but that doesn’t mean the Vols won’t be on the mind of several elite prospects in attendance. Washington, Wilhoite, Otey and Knox all recently visited Knoxville and are seriously considering Tennessee among their top schools. Several of the Vols top 2020 targets are also expected to be on hand, including four-stars Reggie Grimes, Bryn Tucker and KeShawn Lawrence. Vols fans will surely be waiting to see what type of feedback the state’s best give on the new coaching staff and their efforts to turn around the program.
NEXT GENERATION ON DISPLAY
It’s becoming a little more prevalent for younger prospects to pick up major offers, but it’s still pretty rare for rising eighth-graders to get Power Five offers. But two prospects expected to attend are already in that group as Class of 2022 quarterbacks Tevin Carter and Ty Simpson already hold offers from Tennessee and Michigan, respectively. The pair have a chance to be stars on the recruiting circuit and Sunday will mark the beginning of their journey at Rivals Camp events. Several Class of 2021 prospects with major offers will also be competing, with Andre Turrentine (LSU, Tennessee) and Quenton Barnes (South Carolina, LSU) among them.
