Rivals Camp Series: Top athletes
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The regional portion of the Rivals Camp Series presented by Under Armour is over, wrapping up in Chicago and totaling 15 events around the country. Rivals.com breaks down the best of the best at each position. Today we take a look at those players classified as athletes who can play multiple positions but excelled at one at the camp. Led by Speedy Noil, who commanded the Houston RCS, here's the list of athletes.
(Note: The following list does not necessarily reflect future changes in prospect rankings; it is based only on performances at regional Rivals Camp Series events. Many other factors and events will be taken into account before updated rankings are revealed the week of May 20. This list is for the class of 2014 only. Underclassmen will be listed separately.)
RIVALS CAMP SERIES TOP ATHLETES
Noil took over at the RCS Houston, displaying his fancy feet, sharp cuts, and elite speed as he kept defensive backs shaken up all afternoon. He dominated one-on-ones and he dominated drills, showing everyone exactly why he is one of the top prospects in the country. As one of the top prospects, his options are seemingly endless. He does have a top five of LSUClick 1. ATH Speedy Noil, New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr Here to view this Link., Texas A&MClick 1. ATH Speedy Noil, New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr Here to view this Link., USCClick 1. ATH Speedy Noil, New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr Here to view this Link., Texas TechClick 1. ATH Speedy Noil, New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr Here to view this Link. and FloridaClick 1. ATH Speedy Noil, New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr Here to view this Link..
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Brown was exceptional at the Newark RCS. The 6-foot-2, 211-pound Brown has well over 15 offers and has picked up some big offers since the camp, including Notre DameClick ATH Noah Brown, Sparta (N.J.) Pope John Here to view this Link. and Ohio StateClick ATH Noah Brown, Sparta (N.J.) Pope John Here to view this Link.. Playing at wide receiver, he out performed Rivals250 wide receiver K.J. WilliamsClick ATH Noah Brown, Sparta (N.J.) Pope John Here to view this Link. and multiple other four-stars. Last offseason, Brown showed a ton of athleticism and now he has put on a lot more muscle and refined his route running.
Hood worked out at running back during the RCS Charlotte stop and any talk of him being a linebacker at the next level was quickly put to rest. There's no doubt that he's 100-percent running back and will likely be an every-down type bruiser at the next level. However, he did show he can also catch the ball out of the backfield, something the fans at Notre DameClick 3. ATH Elijah Hood, Charlotte (N.C.) Charlotte Catholic Here to view this Link., the school he committed to last month, will be happy to hear.
There were lots of questions about Johnson going into the Richmond RCS and he certainly answered all of them. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Johnson didn't play very much last season due to an ankle injury. He battled with Jamil KamaraClick 4. ATH Demetrius Johnson, Annapolis (Md.) Annapolis Christian School Here to view this Link. until they very end for the offensive skill MVP. Johnson only has a few offers right now but expect him to pull in plenty more offers once he has more game film.
5. ATH Curtis Samuel, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Erasmus Hall
Samuel piled up a ton of offers before the Newark RCS and everyone was anxious to see him perform. Samuel's performance didn't let anyone down. Playing as a wide receiver, Samuel is more of a long strider and was very explosive heading downfield. He has very good length for someone who is 5-foot-11, 180 pounds and Samuel used that to his advantage, hauling in throws that looked to be overthrown.
6. ATH Trent Sherfield, Danville (Ill.)
The 6-foot-1, 184-pound Sherfield has played several positions during his prep career, including quarterback, but it was his play at defensive back at the Chicago RCS that earned him defensive skill MVP honors. Sherfield has the length that colleges are looking for at the cornerback position, and should be in line for a run of offers over the next few months.
Vaughns entered the RCS Dallas as an under-the-radar prospect, but that did not stop him from locking up the top wide receivers. His feet and ball skills were top notch as he made play after play on the ball. He entered the day only holding a NorthwesternClick 7. ATH Verkedric Vaughns, Mesquite (Tex.) Poteet Here to view this Link. offer and has since added SMUClick 7. ATH Verkedric Vaughns, Mesquite (Tex.) Poteet Here to view this Link. and Arkansas State.
8. ATH Kalen Ballage, Falcon (Colo.)
There's a lot to like about Ballage and he showed all of it at RCS Phoenix. A junior in high school, he already showcases the build of a college sophomore. The speed is there, too. He played running back at the camp and was a nightmare on intermediate routes. Always the aggressor, Ballage initiates contact off the line and is capable of creating separation immediately.
9. ATH Michiah Quick, Fresno (Calif.) Central East
Quick was exceptional at wide receiver at the RCS Los Angeles but his coach, Tony Perry, said most schools like him even more at cornerback. That's what is so special about Quick -- he's outstanding on both sides of the ball, is an exceptional athlete and is just comfortable being on the field making plays. Quick has been doing it for years and will be considered one of the better ones coming out of Fresno in recent memory.
10. ATH Tyler Whiley, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral
Whiley played receiver at RCS Phoenix but could end up playing defensive back in college. He is one of few players in the country truly being recruited at multiple positions. As a wideout, Whiley is a polished route-runner and uses his hands well when pressed.
Thompkins does it all for his high school team but worked out as a wide receiver at RCS Charlotte. He has good quickness and knows how to get open over the middle, but needs to work on using his speed to be an over the top threat. He committed to Penn StateClick 11. ATH De'Andre Thompkins, Swansboro (N.C.) Here to view this Link. last month and head coach Bill O'BrienClick 11. ATH De'Andre Thompkins, Swansboro (N.C.) Here to view this Link. could have a player similar to Wes Welker, a player he coached with the Patriots.
12. ATH J.T. Gray, Coolidge (Ariz.)
Gray was the defensive skill MVP at RCS Phoenix and showed his skill in a large sample size. He took as many reps as any player at the event and lost just one rep all afternoon. Depending on how he develops physically, he could play safety, running back or linebacker in college.
13. ATH Jimmy Bayes, Immokalee (Fla.)
Some schools like Bayes on defense, but his offensive skill set has schools keeping an on him for the other side of the ball. When we saw him at the RCS Miami he played on both sides of the ball. He is athletic enough to play receiver, but his size as a defensive back is intriguing. His overall ability and raw talent were a few reasons he made a top performers in the athlete category.
14. ATH Mykale Rogers, Lima (Ohio)
The 6-foot-1, 188-pound Rogers is a solidly built prospect who worked at the wide receiver position at the Cincinnati RCS. Although he could play on defense as well, his speed and athleticism make him a valuable commodity on the offensive side of the football. Rogers is also a star on the track, running sub-11.0 100 meters since his sophomore year.
Although Prater did not possess the size of the bigger wide receivers at the St. Louis RCS, he was one of the smoothest athletes at the position. The 6-foot, 178-pound athlete showed great body control in making several impressive catches at the event. He entered with little college attention, but has since picked up offers from KansasClick 15. ATH Treevon Prater, East St. Louis (Ill.) Here to view this Link. and SyracuseClick 15. ATH Treevon Prater, East St. Louis (Ill.) Here to view this Link..
Ivery is on the small side, but he quickly showed he can overcome that hurdle as he worked at running back and receiver at the RCS Dallas. He was uncoverable on the day as he gave defenders fits. He currently holds offers from Colorado State, New MexicoClick 16. ATH Willie Ivery, Sulphur Springs (Tex.) Here to view this Link., North TexasClick 16. ATH Willie Ivery, Sulphur Springs (Tex.) Here to view this Link., Old Dominion, Texas State and Toledo and continues to receive BCS interest.
17. ATH Jaevon Walton, New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr
Walton is stout, he is strong, and he is a fierce competitor with surprisingly great hands and ball skills. He is a linebacker/H-back/running back who wowed with his receiving ability at the RCS Houston. He was diving for receptions and made catches in traffic and was a mismatch for just about everyone he faced in Houston.
18. ATH Jamal Baggett, Oak Park (Ill.) Oak Park River Forest
The 5-foot-9, 187-pound Baggett worked at cornerback during the Chicago RCS, but he appears best suited for the safety position in college. Whichever position he ends up, coverage will be one of his best attributes. He flips his hips effortlessly, broke on the football well and had the speed to run with receivers down the field.
19. ATH Deionte Gaines, Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips
Gaines is a quick, darter type athlete who could excel as a slot receiver, running back, and return man. In Orlando at the RCS he was a mismatch for linebackers in space and a tough draw for capable defensive backs. He caught everything in his vicinity and displayed yards after the catch ability once turned up field.
20. ATH Montae Nicholson, Monroeville (Pa.) Gateway
Nicholson lined up as a safety for the majority of the Pittsburgh RCS. He made some pretty athletic plays throughout the day but looked to be a little slow when reacting to a wide receiver's cut. Nicholson also wasn't as explosive when breaking on the pass as he has been at past camps. This could have been a side effect of the cold, rainy conditions.
At just 5-foot-9 Foster is a bit of a 'tweener, but he showed excellent receiving skills at RCS Charlotte. What he lacks in size he makes up for in quickness and catching ability and he toasted several defenders during his day at the camp. Foster is still waiting for his first offer, but North CarolinaClick 21. ATH Hyleck Foster, Gaffney (S.C.) Here to view this Link. and West VirginiaClick 21. ATH Hyleck Foster, Gaffney (S.C.) Here to view this Link. continue to show interest.
Crosby seems to have embraced the tight end spot as his position of the future and while he struggled in comparison to some of the other, more-polished tight ends at RCS Charlotte, he still has the physical tools to compete at the next level. South Carolina appears to lead for him right now, with ClemsonClick 22. ATH Kevin Crosby, Bamberg (S.C.) Bamberg-Ehrhardt Here to view this Link. and AlabamaClick 22. ATH Kevin Crosby, Bamberg (S.C.) Bamberg-Ehrhardt Here to view this Link. also in the mix.
23. ATH Raymond Wingo, St. Louis (Mo.) University
Wingo wants to play cornerback in college and it's probably the best position for him. At RCS St. Louis, he used his length and quick change of direction to smoother a few elite wide receivers. He's not overly physical but makes up for that with athleticism.
24. ATH B.J. Hill, Oakboro (N.C.) West Stanly
At 6-foot-3, 262 pounds, Hill's status as an athlete stems from his ability to play O-line or D-line. At RCS Charlotte he worked out as a defensive lineman, taking reps at both end and tackle. He has good quickness off the ball a nice array of moves, but needs to add some muscle no matter which side of the ball he plays on. Right now, East Carolina is the only school to offer, although Clemson has also shown interest.
Additional Note: Certain players will be ranked under our athlete category at the end of the series despite playing one position at an RCS like Elijah Hood, Montae Nicholson, Speedy Noil and others.
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