Mid-Atlantic spotlight: Five with something to prove a Five-Star Challenge
The Mid-Atlantic region will be well represented at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by adidas in Indianapolis. Some of the best players in the country hail from the eastern seaboard. Here are five that have a lot to prove once they touch down in the Midwest.
Asiedu did very well at the Underclassmen Challenge last year and has continued to progress, but the competition he is going to face in Indy is unlike anything he has seen before. The Penn State commit's athleticism, strength and pass blocking expertise will be put to the test. Asiedu and five-star K.J. Henry had a good series of reps at the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp presented by adidas in Charlotte, but Henry got the better of him.
While Sandidge has immense physical talents, his consistently will be tested in ways it hasn't before. There won't be offensive linemen he can just push around at the Five-Star Challenge. Sandidge will need to use his speed, leverage and expanding arsenal of pass rushing moves to have success. South Carolina, Ohio State, NC State, North Carolina, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Florida, LSU, Miami and Georgia are his top 11 schools.
The way Stills has taken his game to the next level is truly impressive. Now he'll get to use the Five-Star Challenge as a measuring stick. Stills is very explosive at the line of scrimmage and has improved his technique in a major way. One of his best assets is his versatility. Stills could end up taking reps as a defensive end and defensive tackle and it will be interesting to see where he has the most success. West Virginia, Oklahoma and Florida have been doing a great job with Stills.
Luketa has been the subject of a rankings discussion among Penn State fans. His offer sheet is that of a member of the Rivals100 but he is currently ranked as a four-star outside the Rivals250. The future Nittany Lion will have to show he has the speed and change of direction quickness in the open field to hang with the nation's elite.
Hollifield has been a big name for a long time, but the linebacker field in the Mid-Atlantic is crowded at the top and others have slid in front of him. He is ultra competitive, so look for him to use this big stage to put a stop to that trend. Hollifield just took a multi-day visit to Stanford, but North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Florida State, South Carolina, Florida State, Notre Dame and LSU are all very much in the conversation.