Rivals Recap: B2G Battlefield

LOS ANGELES -- The B2G Battlefield was filled with top players mainly from Southern California, a bunch of outstanding underclassmen and prospects who have already become national recruits. Here is a look at some of the top performers throughout the workout and some news and notes on each:

The wide receiver group was simply outstanding led by Los Angeles Hawkins standouts Joseph Lewis (2017) and Jalen Hall (2018), Buena Park, Calif., three-star Taariq Johnson and 2018 WR Rayshawn Williams out of Los Angeles Crenshaw.

Lewis runs excellent routes and has phenomenal hands as a bunch of passes were thrown over his head but the 2017 four-star still came down with the catch. Hall is a physical specimen who looks like a young Martavis Bryant, from Clemson and now the Pittsburgh Steelers, who was on hand at the workout. Long, lean, excellent runner, Hall is a special recruit.

Johnson had a great day. Some thought he would grow into a tight end but it looks like the 2017 three-star has slimmed down and it’s made him faster and more electric down the field. He also showed off excellent hands and the ability to make tough catches.

Other than the receivers, one of the best-looking groups at the workout were the defensive backs, led by a bunch of 2018 prospects in San Diego (Calif.) St. Augustine’s Isaac Taylor, Los Angeles Hawkins’ Aashari Crosswell and Mission Viejo, Calif., standout Olaijah Griffin, who is rapper Warren G’s son.

Taylor, who has early offers from Utah and San Diego State, looked the best physically at 6-foot-2 with long arms so he could reach around defenders and poke the ball away.

Crosswell stepped up against top receivers and seemed to relish in the competition. He even shut down Lewis, his Hawkins teammate, on one route. So far, Arizona State, Boise State, Colorado, Tennessee, UNLV, Washington and Washington State have offered.

Griffin, who has early Oregon and Colorado State offers, is smooth, runs well and can cover well especially down the field.

Two others defensive backs who looked the part were 2017 four-stars Brandon McKinney, who recently landed his latest offer from Utah, and Greg Johnson, who has a bunch of national offers.

The biggest surprise of the day was Williams, who has not heard from any colleges yet but could become a top recruit. The 2018 wide is about 6-foot-4 with long arms, he covers ground very quickly and showed off phenomenal hands. Offers could be coming his way soon once college coaches see more of him in person.

Los Angeles Cathedral has a big-time quarterback in 2019 Bryce Young, who is still undersized but his dad is 6-foot-2 so in a few years height should not be an issue. His skills are great. He drops back quickly, scans the field incredibly well and then the ball jumps off his hand. The Cathedral coaches think he could be special and he definitely backed that up on Saturday.

* Brevin White is a top 2018 quarterback with offers already from Arizona State, Washington and Washington State with many more possible. The Mission Hills (Calif.) Alemany QB said North Carolina is expected to see him throw soon and he could take a visit to Chapel Hill soon. His brother, Brady, plays for the Sun Devils and that could be a factor in White’s recruitment but it’s still so early.

* Washington is showing the most new interest in hard-hitting 2018 linebacker Merlin Robertson, who recently landed offers from Oregon State and BYU. USC is also inching along in recruiting the Gardena (Calif.) Serra prospect who had a phenomenal sophomore season.

* Johnson, the three-star receiver from Buena Park, said he heard Texas A&M was supposed to stop by his school soon and he would definitely be interested in an offer from the Aggies. Long-term position depends on how Johnson fills out as he could be a big outside receiver or possibly move to tight end. So far, Johnson has landed offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Washington and others.