Rivals Camp Series Midseason Team: Wide Receiver/Tight Ends
The Rivals 3 Stripe Camp Series presented by adidas kicked off just after Signing Day and has already rolled through seven different cities. With the circuit on a brief break before starting up again this weekend in Atlanta, we look back at the first half of the circuit and identify the best performances by position. Today we look at the wide receivers and tight ends. The respective prospects are listed in alphabetical order.
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Bridges has long held a reputation as a big-play and brash wide receiver, but he backs it up with his ability time-after-time at every event he competes in. He won position MVP honors and punched a ticket to the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge at the Dallas Rivals 3 Stripe Camp with his incredible knack for beating defenders deep and for jump-balls. Bridges committed to Oklahoma last fall.
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Curry earned an invitation to the Five-Star Challenge after going toe-to-toe with several elite wide receivers at the Houston stop of the series. Curry is known for his playmaking ability and he showed that and more as he continues to get more consistent at marquee events. Texas A&M, LSU, Florida State and several others are among the programs in pursuit of Curry.
Dellinger traveled south to Florida from his Indiana home to take part in the Rivals adizero Combine and ended up earning his way into the camp in Orlando. The trip was well worth it as he went from combine invitee to MVP after a very impressive showing. Dellinger has great size and soft hands for a tight end and since his MVP turn he’s continued to add to his offer list, with programs like Army, Ball State, Eastern Michigan and several others in the mix.
Dunmore’s star has continued to rise over the past year and has culminated with a dominant spring on the circuit, which kicked off with an MVP performance at the Miami stop of the series. Dunmore had one of the best plays of the year when he made an eye-popping one-handed catch that helped him wrap up not only MVP honors but an invite to the Five-Star Challenge. The one-time Florida commit is still considering the Gators along with Florida State, Miami, Ohio State and several others.
One of the biggest surprise MVPs on the entire circuit, Jackson wowed at the San Francisco stop to take home MVP honors. A versatile athlete who could play cornerback or wide receiver in college, Jackson made several impressive catches while making defensive backs look silly in one-on-ones. Jackson is still waiting on his first offer but looks like he will have plenty of opportunities based on his abilities.
The son of former All-Pro NFL receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, the class of 2020 prospect showed he’s capable of being a star in his own right as he won MVP honors at the Los Angeles stop of the series. Johnson was so good at getting open that he didn’t have to make many tough catches at the Los Angeles event, but did show that he has what it takes to be a star in the future. Oregon State and Arizona State are two of Johnson’s biggest early offers.
A standout performer at the Miami camp, Ladson would have probably won the MVP at several other stops on the tour. But he still found a way to stand out among the loaded group in Miami thanks to his size and playmaking ability and earned an invitation to the Five-Star Challenge for his efforts. Clemson, Miami, Georgia and Florida State are among the programs in the mix for Ladson.
A standout Louisiana prospect, Lee earned his invitation to the Five-Star Challenge with an excellent showing at the Houston camp while working at wide receiver. Lee, who is being recruited by some schools as a safety, has the type of physicality that’s not easy to find at the position, especially if you factor in his ability to make big plays and tough catches. LSU, Alabama and several other major programs have offered Lee.
One of the most physically impressive wide receivers to compete on this year’s series, regardless of grade, Manuel punched his ticket to the Five-Star Challenge at the Orlando stop of the tour. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound prospect has no problem overpowering defensive backs or running by them depending on the situation. Manuel has made an early pledge to Miami and has offers from several other major programs.
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Mingo surprised with his performance at the Mobile stop of the circuit, dominating during one-on-ones on his way to MVP honors. Solidly built at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, Mingo can get open down the field but is also a quality route runner who can make defensive backs pay for the smallest mistake. Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Arkansas are among his early offers.
Palmer made the trip west to compete at the Houston event of the series and spent the day toasting defensive backs down the field en route to earning an invitation to the Five-Star Challenge. A two-way star at the high school level, Palmer can do a little bit of everything and is still refining his game as a wide receiver, which makes his performance that much more impressive. LSU, Texas A&M, Texas and several others are in pursuit of Palmer.
Stogner is the second-ranked tight end prospect in the country and earned his spot in the Five-Star Challenge with another strong and steady performance at the Dallas Rivals 3 Stripe Camp. After battling back from a knee injury last season, Stogner has shown that he is ready and willing to take - and win - rep after rep with his elite size and sure-handedness. He’s been committed to Oklahoma since June of last year.
Wease has been a five-star since lighting up last year’s Five-Star Challenge and he hasn’t slowed down since. At the Dallas Rivals 3 Stripe Camp, he showed more of what he’s always been able to do best as a player - use his size, strength and explosion to put defensive backs to shame. He has been committed to Oklahoma once, and the Sooners are still considered the favorite in his recruitment, but he has a top five that also includes Alabama, LSU, USC and Texas A&M.
Wilson has been the most dynamic player on one of Texas’ top high school football programs since his sophomore season and he just seems to keep getting better. He won the wide receiver MVP and earned an invite the Five-Star Challenge with a dazzling performance at the Houston Rivals 3 Stripe Camp, where he made catches up, over, and around defenders. He has narrowed his commitment down to a choice between Ohio State and Texas.
Others that impressed: Langston Anderson (Dallas), Shadrach Banks (Houston), Jaelin Benefield (Houston), Jacorey Brooks (Miami), Lavon Bunkley-Shelton (Los Angeles), Kris Draine (Mobile), Demond Demas (Houston), Kaleb Ducros (Houston), Simon Gonzalez (Houston), Elijah Higgins (Houston), Aydin Henningham (Miami), Joseph Hodge (Orlando), Demaryion Houston (Dallas), Johnquai Lewis (Miami), Mike Martinez (Los Angeles), Nolan Matthews (Dallas), Semar Melvin (Miami), Koy Moore (Mobile), Jamie Nance (Dallas), Deamikkio Nathan (Dallas), Kalani Norris (Miami), Kyziah Pruitt (Movile), Marcus Rosemy (Miami), Collin Sullivan (Houston), Matt Sykes (San Francisco), Corey Williams (Houston), Jude Wolfe (Los Angeles),
