Midseason stock report: Atlantic East
We're a bit past the midway point for most high school seasons, so we thought we'd take a closer look at players who have seen their stock rise as seniors – and players who have seen their stock fall and might still have something to prove. Today, we'll look at players from the Atlantic East region. The players are listed alphabetically.
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STOCK UP
WR Joshua Adams, Cheshire (Conn.) Cheshire Academy
Adams has added needed speed from last season, he is much stronger and his ball skills have improved. Most important, he's shown the ability to play safety as well as wide receiver, and he's very physical. Adams could make an impact on either side of the ball.
DE Jason Ankrah, Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard
Ankrah has added size since last season and is much more explosive as a pass rusher and much more physical as a run defender. His physical improvements and hard work in the offseason have sparked a very productive senior year.
CB Corey Brown, Monroeville (Pa.) Gateway
Brown has improved his ability in coverage and his ball skills have been taken to the next level. He could easily play safety, cornerback or wide receiver at Ohio State, a level of versatility that was in question last year.
TE Arthur Lynch, Dartmouth (Mass.) High
It's not a great year for pure tight ends this year, and more and more Fontaine is beginning to emerge as arguably the most well rounded. His size, blocking ability and soft hands have him moving up the charts.
CB Josh Hunter, Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek
Hunter has emerged as one of the best cornerbacks on the East Coast, and it's little wonder why schools such as Florida, North Carolina State and West Virginia continue to recruit him despite his recent commitment to North Carolina. Even though he gets few balls thrown his way, Hunter has two interceptions and has taken one back for a score.
LB Jelani Jenkins, Wheaton (Md.) Our Lady Of Good Counsel
The only knock on Jenkins last year was his size, and that's not an issue anymore. Jenkins is around 6 feet 2 and is clearly growing into his frame. And the fact that he's only 16 years old raises his ceiling even more. He doesn't have much room to move up, but he's climbing nonetheless.
OL Morgan Moses, Richmond (Va.) Meadowbrook
Moses emerged as the top offensive tackle in a weak year at the position following his junior season. However, it has become clear that he's nearly as special as his predecessors and Josh Oglesby. His physical conditioning as a 350-pounder is outstanding.
CB Derrick Thomas, Greenbelt (Md.) Eleanor Roosevelt
It's been a game of musical chairs in the state of Maryland when it comes to ranking the cornerbacks. Now it's Thomas' turn to move up based on his 6-foot frame and ball-hawking skills.
RB De'Antwan Williams, Woodbridge (Va.) Woodbridge Senior
Williams has put up sick numbers this year through his team's first six games. He has 1,221 yards and 16 touchdowns on only 146 carries, highlighted by a 318-yard game with five scores against Potomac, Va. He's also showing soft hands as a receiver and is living up to his four-star status.
RB David Wilson, Danville (Va.) George Washington
Wilson struggled in his first game against a loaded Varina team but has been on fire since. He's already gained more than 1,000 yards rushing – including a 331-yard, seven-touchdown effort against Matoaca – and he's doing it with a depleted offensive line.
STOCK DOWN
ATH E.J. Banks, McKees Rocks (Pa.) Montour
Banks led his team to a 12-1 record last season while passing for 1,235 yards and rushing for 920 more. This year his team is 4-3 and struggling, and Banks hasn't been as explosive. His production on defense has diminished as well, and teams have been passing on Montour with ease.
WR Vincent Davis, Monroe (N.C.) Sun Valley
Davis wasn't having a stellar year before suffering a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury recently, so it will be interesting to see how he rebounds from a tough senior season.
DT Tyrone Ezell, Homestead (Pa.) Steel Valley
Ezell hasn't had a very productive senior season and a recent ankle injury might end it prematurely. It doesn't look like it's anything that will hamper his college career, but it does hurt his development.
WR Brandon Felder, Oxon Hill (Md.) High
Felder hasn't played a down of football this season due to torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. Felder is a bit raw to start with, and it will be interesting to see if he loses a step. He's not expected to recover until the spring.
WR Shawney Kersey, Woodbury (N.J.) High
Kersey is more and an athlete than a football player at this stage in his career, so missing numerous games this season hasn't helped his development. And the fact that he's missed time with a concussion makes you wonder about his future a bit.
ATH Theron Norman, Richmond (Va.) Hermitage
Norman has been hampered by an early leg injury. But even when he's been close to 100 percent, he just hasn't looked as explosive as last season. He's playing out of position at quarterback and his future in college is on defense, but he's not making as many plays.
QB Danny O'Brien, Kernersville (N.C.) East Forsyth
O'Brien has been somewhat effective running the ball this season, averaging more than five yards per carry and scoring four touchdowns. However, he's struggling a bit throwing the ball, completing less than 50 percent of his passes in four of his first six games and throwing two key interceptions in his team's 35-13 loss to West Forsyth.
ATH Nyshier Oliver, Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep
Oliver has been nursing a hamstring injury that caused him to miss St. Peter's Prep's big game against Wheaton (Md.) Good Counsel and has limited him since. He rushed for 1,400 yards and 22 scores last season, but those numbers look out of reach this year.
RB Alex Owah, Harrisonburg (Va.) High
Owah got off to a nice start this season but has missed a few games with a leg injury. His replacement, a sophomore, has bettered his numbers in his absence. After a 1,795-yard rushing year as a junior, Owah has had a disappointing season so far.
DT Tyler Stockton, Princeton (N.J.) Hun School
Stockton is another injury casualty. His recent knee injury could keep him out for the rest of the season. Although he's expected to make a full recovery, Stockton's strengths are his quickness and lateral movement. If any of that is hampered, he won't be nearly as effective as expected.
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