The Rivals 3 Stripe Camp Series presented by adidas kicked off just after National Signing Day and has already rolled through seven different cities. With the circuit on a brief break before starting back up again this weekend in Atlanta, we look back at the first half of the camp series and identify the best performances by position.
Today we highlight the big guys, the offensive and defensive linemen. The respective prospects are listed in alphabetical order.
MIDSEASON RCS TEAM: QB | RB | WR/TE | Full Rivals Camp Series coverage
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A native of Nigeria who started his high school career in Tennessee, Akporoghene was a late add to the Orlando camp but came into the event and dominated. Despite being raw fundamentally, Akporoghene is one of the strongest pound-for-pound linemen to appear on the series this year and he was able to overpower pretty much every defensive lineman he faced. Since the event, Akporoghene has added several offers, with Kentucky and Oregon among his early favorites.
A standout performer at the Miami stop of the circuit who earned an invitation to the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by adidas for his efforts, Bogle is the prototype for an edge rusher in today’s college football. At 6-foot-5, he has terrific length and is a great athlete, showing why some of the nation’s top programs are lining up to try to get him in the fold. Clemson, Miami and Florida State are among the early leaders for his services.
A true center who has an impressive resume at the position already, Bragg added to his list of accolades with an MVP performance at the Dallas camp. With good size and fundamentals, Bragg could probably play anywhere along the offensive line but his ability to lock on defensive linemen and shut them down at the line of scrimmage is very impressive. Texas, LSU and Oklahoma are a few of the major players in Bragg’s recruitment.
One of the biggest offensive linemen in terms of size to compete on the series so far this year, Buelow made the trip from Hawaii and was rewarded with an invitation to the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge for his efforts. Buelow has the frame to get stronger and he’s still growing into his body, but he has the type of physical ability that can’t be taught and he showed it while overpowering several defensive linemen. Notre Dame, Utah, Washington and others are among the contenders for Buelow.
Listed in the Rivals.com database as an outside linebacker, Cutts elected to work out at defensive end in Orlando and made the right choice as he thrived en route to MVP honors. He flashed an array of pass rushing moves and as he continues to grow he will only get more capable of being an every down defensive end at the next level. Since the camp, his recruitment has taken off, with Louisville, Clemson and several others joining his offer list.
The top end of the defensive line group at the Miami camp was loaded, but that didn’t keep Dorceus from surprisingly taking home MVP honors. The edge rusher showed a variety of moves and was impressive from start to finish at the event. NC State and Wake Forest are among his most notable offers to date.
Jackson isn’t the tallest defensive tackle you can find but his low center of gravity and relentless motor make him quite the matchup nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. He showed off his skill at the Dallas camp and left with MVP hardware. Arkansas, Missouri, Texas Tech and several other schools are involved in his recruitment.
The Texas A&M commit came to play at the Houston stop of the series, winning rep after rep and letting the other camps know about it when he made a good play. The future Aggie has everything you look for in a defensive tackle prospect, with the type of motor that can’t be coached at the position.
The hulking offensive lineman got off to a bit of a slow start at the Houston stop of the series but by the time the day was over it was clear why he was the highest-ranked offensive lineman in attendance. With great size and good length, Green has the ability to engage players and lock them up in a hurry, and that’s exactly what he did at the event. The one-time LSU commit earned an invitation to the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge for his efforts and has LSU and Texas battling for his commitment.
An edge rusher who gets off the ball very quickly, Jackson earned MVP honors at the Los Angeles camp. After blowing by several offensive linemen with his speed to the outside, he showed that he wasn’t just a one-trick pony as he later adjusted and used his violent hands to shake off linemen on inside moves. USC, Arizona and Arizona State are just a few of the programs involved in his recruitment.
One of the nation’s top prospects in his class, regardless of positions, Jackson showed a terrific array of skills at the Mobile stop of the series while earning an invitation to the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge. The hulking Jackson has the type of athleticism that is very hard to find at defensive tackle, especially for a player his size and he looks like a special prospect. The one-time LSU commit is still considering the Tigers along with Alabama and several others.
Lucas transferred high schools from the Miami area to IMG Academy but returned to his home turf for the Miami stop of the camp circuit and walked away with MVP honors. The hulking offensive lineman was dominant all day and also earned an invitation to the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge for his efforts. Miami, Florida, Florida State and Alabama are just a few of the schools high on his list.
Robinson earned his way into the Houston camp with an excellent showing at the Rivals adizero Combine the day prior and then took it a step further when he won the MVP award at his position. Robinson came into the event under recruited and showed that schools around the country are sleeping on his potential to become a valuable contributor at the next level. Robinson is still waiting on his first FBS offer.
A tall, thin defensive end prospect, Russell is the type of hybrid pass rusher that is becoming more prevalent in college football and he showed why with an MVP showing at the Mobile stop of the tour. Bigger, slower offensive linemen couldn’t get a hand on him all day as he showed a nice arsenal of moves to go along with his natural quickness. LSU, Florida and Ole Miss are just a few of the programs after Russell.
The San Francisco stop of the series wasn’t loaded with talent at the offensive line position but make no mistake, Schmidt turned in a performance that would have garnered MVP consideration at any number of the camp stops. Playing center, Schmidt basically went undefeated in one-on-ones, using his low center of gravity and strong base to stop defenders in their tracks. The Washington native is still waiting on his first offer.
One of the more confident players in the class, Stripling talked a big game and backed it up at the Houston stop of the series. He continues to get bigger and stronger and that combined with his natural speed and ability makes him a matchup nightmare for offensive linemen. Oklahoma, Texas and several others are among the programs jockeying for his services.
Tauanu’u won MVP honors at the Los Angeles stop of the series after turning in a dominant performance while working at tackle. Tauanu’u has length and strength that can be tough to find and is a major reason why USC, Oregon, Texas, Florida State and others are lining up to get him on campus.
Thomas has been making highlight reels at camps for years now and he turned in another dominant performance at this year’s Mobile camp, earning MVP honors at his position as well as a return invitation to the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge. Thomas continues to get taller and longer, allowing him to add some versatility to his game. The longtime LSU commit is a special player who will be in the discussion for five-star status in the future.
Another talented hybrid prospect who could play either defensive end or linebacker depending on the scheme at the next level, Watson walked away with MVP honors at the San Francisco stop of the circuit. Watson’s speed and strength were frustrating to opposing linemen, who often came up empty-handed in their attempts to slow him down. LSU, Oregon and Arizona are a few of the schools to offer Watson thus far.
Others that impressed: OL Chester Baah (Dallas), OL Jermarques Bailey (Houston), OL Shayne Brennen (Orlando), DL Cade Briggs (San Francisco), OT Rey Burnett (Dallas), DL Jamil Clemons (Mobile), DL LeDarrius Cox (Mobile), DE Nikale Davis (Dallas), OL Elias De Leon (Dallas), OL Kingsley Equakun (Orlando), OL Izeya Floyd (Dallas), OL Dustyn Hall (Miami), DT Robert Harbor (Houston), DE Tre Huntley (Orlando), OL Jovens Janvier (Miami), DL Calijah Kancey (Miami), OL Donovan Jackson (Houston), DL Latrell Jean (Orlando), OL Jaren Laughlin (Dallas), DL Patrick Lucas (Mobile), DT Christian Njoku (Houston), DT Jeramy Passmore (Miami), OL Bryce Ramsey (Mobile), OL Logan Sagapolu (Los Angeles), OL Laurence Seymore (Miami), DL Kamari Stephens (Orlando), OL Cameron Vaughn (Orlando), OL Issiah Walker (Miami), DT Keyon Ware-Hudson (Los Angeles), DE Landyn Watson (Dallas), OL Stacey Wilkins (Dallas), DE Cameron Williams (Miami), DE Edgerrin Williams (Houston), OL Jamari Williams (Miami)
