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Rivals Recap: Defensive line delivers in Kansas City

Trevor Trout
Trevor Trout

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The final stop of the 2016 Rivals Camp Series Presented By Under Armour was in Kansas City on Sunday with prospects on hand from numerous states. Here is a look at the best players at each position.

MORE: Rivals Camp Series Presented by Under Armour | Live from Kansas City

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WE WERE IMPRESSED BY...

The defensive line was one of the deepest positions at the event, but 2018 Rivals100 defensive tackle Trevor Trout from St. Louis (Mo.) Chaminade was a level above everyone else. The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder worked from the inside as well as at end and his aggression, get off and athleticism showed out in one-on-ones. His motor and light feet were evident in drills, and while he needs to add to his array of pass rushing moves, he was head and shoulders above the rest taking home Defensive Line MVP honors. Trout was also good enough to earn a Five Star Challenge invitation.

The wide receiver group was very deep as well and it was a close battle between numerous prospects, but Missouri commit DaRon Davis took home MVP honors at the position. The tall, filled out receiver gained separation consistently, caught the ball out in front with reliable hands and never wore down despite taking a ton of reps. Mizzou is getting a good one here from Kanas City (Mo.) Hogan Prep.

There were also a ton of talented defensive backs at the event, but 2018 cornerback Jalen Green from Houston (Texas) John H Reagan took home MVP honors. Green is tall and rangy, very smooth in his backpedal and he didn’t overcommit or flip his hips too quickly on double moves. His patience belies his age and his length helped him make up for any separation receivers got on him.

WE WERE SURPRISED BY...

Offensive lineman Marquis Hayes from Maryland Heights (Mo.) Pattonville was the surprise of the camp. The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder came in as a high three-star but didn’t have a ton of impressive offers to back that ranking. He also showed he’s due for a bump with a great camp, taking home MVP honors with ease. He extends his arms very well and delivers an excellent punch at times, has good feet for a massive lineman and when he does give a step he uses those long arms to recover. He was dominant all day and earned a Five Star Challenge invitation for his efforts as well.

It wasn’t the deepest running back group, but scat back Jaylon Bester from Belleville (Ill.) Althoff came away with MVP honors and surprised many with his burst and steady hands. He’s hard to cover in a camp setting like this with room to roam and he gave linebackers fits.

Speaking of linebackers, again, it wasn’t a deep position, but Wichita (Kan.) Collegiate linebacker Cooper Root beat out some other good-sized linebackers to win MVP. The younger brother of Northern Illinois 2014 signee and now Kansas State quarterback Landon Root is making a name of his own.

The quarterback position was actually quite deep with a few younger prospects who will gain a ton of offers down the line, but the MVP was Fayetteville, Ark. signal-caller Taylor Powell. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder has some nice early offers led by Illinois, Maryland, Memphis, Purdue and Washington State and showed off a strong arm and excellent accuracy throughout the day, beating out some tough competition. Powell is coming off a junior year that saw him throw for 3,594 yards and 49 touchdowns and win a Class 7A title.

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