Florida talent hits Orlando NUC
ORLANDO, Fla. - The National Underclassmen Combine (NUC) presented by Eastbay made its fourth and final stop to the Sunshine State. After two-day events in Jacksonville, Miami and Bradenton earlier this spring, the NUC had two sessions in Orlando with close to 400 players from rising ninth graders to upcoming seniors on Saturday.
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The second session consisted of 2010 prospects. The overall camp MVP was Pompano Beach Ely quarterback Michael German. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound German showed a lively and accurate arm. He also tested pretty well, running a 4.9 40, 4.72 shuttle and posting a 27-inch vertical jump.
Ely High School was well represented on this day. Wide receiver Bryan Thomas was named the overall MVP of the wide receivers. He measured in 5-9 and 158 pounds. Thomas caught the ball very consistently and showed very good quickness and good speed. He was tough to handle in one-on-one drills. He ran a 4.62 40, 4.37 shuttle and broad jumped 9'4".
Three other receiver standouts were Nova's Arione Scott, Liberty County's Terrance Evans, and Land O'Lakes' Alex Robinson. Scott (6-2 /160) was superb in the one on one drills, showing good speed and hands. He ran a 4.67 40 and had a 28-inch vertical jump. Evans (5-11/166) was also tough to handle in the drills. He's physical and athletic. Evans ran a 4.57 40 and posted a 32.5-inch vertical jump.
Brandon Rogers was the offensive line MVP. Rogers, from Jacksonville Trinity Christian, measured in at 6-3 and 311 pounds. Another OL standout was William Wright (6-1/311) from Coconut Creek High School.
Defensively, the top standout was Antonio Hughes. Hughes, from Jacksonville First Coast High School, was the defensive back MVP of the camp. Hughes (5-11/166) posted some pretty good numbers with a 4.6 forty, a 4.28 shuttle and had a 30-inch vertical. Where he really stood out was in the one-on-one drills. Hughes made several fantastic plays in the secondary - pass breakups and interceptions - showing great instincts and ball skills. One other cornerback that stood out was Raheem Billington from Plant City High School. Billington (5-5.5/152) showed good cover skills and a passion to perform. He didn't back down from anyone.
There were several defensive line standouts and the following players all had some shining moments: Delroy Steele (Apopka), Parrish Walker (Orlando Olympia), Frederick Sutton (St. Thomas Aquinas) and Derrick Salsberry (Camden County). Salsberry, from Kingsland, Ga., was the defensive line MVP. The 6-2, 212 pounder ran a 4.82 40, 4.59 shuttle and had a 28-inch vertical jump.
Morning Session Standouts
The morning session overall MVP was Clim Robbins. Robbins (5-7/157) tested very well, running a 4.3 shuttle, a 4.4 40, had a broad jump of 10'2" and bench pressed 155 pounds 23 times. Robbins, a cornerback/athlete from Orlando Jones High School, was also the sophomore (2011) MVP. He's a smaller corner with outstanding quickness and great change of direction. Robbins is also athletic and could end up as a slot receiver or all-purpose back at the next level.
The offensive MVP was Melboune Florida Air Academy running back J.J. Keels. He came in at 5-9 and 180 pounds. Keels ran a 4.43 40, a 4.25 shuttle and posted a 35-inch vertical jump. He was by far the fastest and quickest running back and ran exceptional routes out of the backfield. He was offensive skill MVP for the sophomore group.
Citra (Fla.) North Marion wide receiver Latroy Pittman (2012) was the freshman class overall MVP. Pittman (5-11.5/183) ran a 4.68 forty, had a 29-inch vertical jump and bench pressed 135 pounds 24 times. He was the best receiver in any age group in morning session. Pittman showed great hands and body control.
Defensive backs were the strongest group and two of the best were Chris Johnson (2011) of Ocala Trinity Catholic and Nick Waisome (2011) of South Lake High School. Johnson was physical in coverage and ran a 4.52 40 while Waisome put up some good numbers, has real quick hips and good change of direction. Johnson was Sophomore defensive skill MVP.