RCS Dallas: Youth takes center stage
CEDAR HILL, Texas – The Rivals Camp Series Presented by Under Armour made its stop in the Dallas area on Saturday and there were plenty of top performances. Here is a look at some of the best underclassmen at the event who were not included in the top offense or top defense stories earlier in the week.
MORE: Top performers: Offense | Top performers: Defense | Rivals Camp Series | Sooner commits shine at iLLSPEED | Rivals Recap |Recruiting Notes
Recruiting wrap: Texas A&M could have an early edge on Simpson but Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, SMU, TCU and Texas Tech have also offered.
Performance: For someone 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, Simpson moves exceptionally well, and he has light feet. The 2018 prospect does a nice job of overpowering defensive ends and kind of swallowing them up if they get into his body. He handles spin moves well and has the speed to prevent defenders from getting to the edge on him.
Recruiting wrap: Many notable programs have already offered Preston including Baylor, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and others.
Performance: When cornerbacks gave Preston cushion off the line, he would win rep after rep, and he even caught some poorly-thrown passes in windy conditions. Even when corners ran with him stride-for-stride, Preston usually came up with the ball because of excellent hands and concentration. He didn’t blow by anybody, but he kept catching all the passes thrown his way.
Recruiting wrap: Bailey is waiting on his first offer, but he has seen interest from Texas A&M and Missouri.
Performance: Bailey was one of the smaller prospects in the linebackers group, measuring just under 6-foot and 220 pounds, but he was easily one of the most athletic. The 2018 prospect has defensive back-like movement skills, which showed exceptionally well in a camp setting. Because he is 220 pounds, Bailey will almost certainly stay at linebacker in college and appears to be a perfect fit at a WILL role.
Recruiting wrap: SMU is the first offer for the 2019 quarterback.
Performance: Tisdale had the moxie, composure and control of a senior quarterback as he worked through every drill and did an excellent job in one-on-ones as well. A favorite of the camp coaches because he took to the coaching and implemented it, Tisdale has a tremendously strong arm, knows how to put the ball where only his receivers can get it and showed he has a really bright future.
Recruiting wrap: Cotton has an offer from UTSA.
Performance: Cotton was exceptionally quick off the snap and if he won the rep, he won it in that first split-second. Speed was the advantage that Cotton utilized most during one-on-one reps, but he also had impressive power if an offensive lineman handled him immediately. Cotton had a relentlessness that was nice to see and that’s why he was so productive.
Recruiting wrap: Orji’s recruiting process has not yet started.
Performance: The linebacker group was loaded with top 2017 talent, but Orji more than held his own against prospects like Baron Browning and Anthony Hines. It is unlikely you have heard of Orji’s name before, but he is a legitimate breakout candidate for his upcoming junior season. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound prospect has a solid linebacker build and plenty of athleticism. He was great in space during one-one-ones.
Recruiting wrap: Kansas and SMU are the first two offers for the 2018 receiver.
Performance: Shaw has tremendous length, which allows him to outmaneuver smaller cornerbacks, especially on 50/50 balls. He has good athleticism, not great speed, so he uses his length to his advantage on medium and deep routes and he made some tough catches throughout the camp. Very strong hands and his length make him a top recruit.
Recruiting Wrap: Dotson’s recruitment is in the early stages.
Performance: Measuring in at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds in Dallas, Dotson has the look of a strongside defensive end who could also end up as a defensive tackle in college. The element of Dotson’s game that might keep him on the edge, though, is quickness. Even in a camp with smaller, nine-technique edge rushers, Dotson’s speed stood out, and he also has good arm length to negate the leverage advantage of offensive tackles.
Recruiting Wrap: Elder is in the early stages of his recruiting process.
Performance: Elder is a shorter running back with a stocky build who measured in at 5-foot-7 and 202 pounds. Linebackers who tried to rough him up at the line of scrimmage usually found themselves on the losing end of those battles. Elder’s low center of gravity translated into great change of direction quickness and the class of 2018 prospect showed excellent ball skills and a soft pair of hands.
Recruiting wrap: Marshall is up to 10 offers and all have come since Jan. 1. His most recent was from Alabama late last month. Marshall lists no leaders.
Performance: The 6-foot-4, 189-pound Marshall already has the look of a college wide receiver despite being just a sophomore in high school. One of the most heavily-recruited 2018 prospects in the state of Louisiana, it was apparent why he has double-digit offers. Marshall is a fluid athlete who pops out of his breaks and has the size to shield defenders from the football.
Recruiting wrap: Braun is in eighth grade, so his recruitment hasn’t started yet.
Performance: Braun was not perfect and has a lot of fundamentals to work on, but for an eighth-grader going up against elite high school juniors, he had a really good day. At 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds already, Braun seems comfortable with his size and he handled players trying to overpower him. He’ll get used to the speed of defensive ends and when he does, watch out.
Recruiting wrap: Osagiede is just starting his recruitment.
Performance: Osagiede stands in at 6-foot, 254 pounds and could eventually be a three-technique defensive tackle or five-technique defensive end. He was very effective from both spots, winning reps with a quick first step and good use of his hands. Despite his lack of height, Osagiede does a good job with leverage and plays with excellent pad level.