6/24/2015 football Edit

Roadies: IMG 7-on-7 championships

Rob Cassidy and Woody Wommack

Publisher

Hardman has had a terrific month of June, first starring at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge Presented by Under Armour and then turning heads all weekend in Bradenton. His speed in space caught more than a few defensive backs sleeping and resulted in impressive touchdowns with plenty of yards after the catch -- even on the shortened 7-on-7 field. Hardman still sees himself as an athlete, but it's looking more like he will be a special offensive talent.

Smooth operator

ATH Demetris Robertson | Savannah (Ga.) Christian

Because Robertson doesn't do as much talking as some, his big performances can slide under the radar at times. But when his team needed a big play down the field, Robertson was the man to provide it. He had several impressive touchdown catches and even came on to haul in a game-sealing interception while playing defensive back.

Tough guy

LB Ben Davis | Gordo, Ala.

Davis probably could have taken home awards in several different categories -- including Physical Specimen -- but he earns the toughness award for his impressive play in the middle of the field. Even in light contact situation, it's tough to run routes over the middle with the 6-foot-3, 236-pound Davis waiting to make a play. His physicality may have been muted, but the five-star linebacker looked the part during the weekend.

Underclassman achievement

DB Marco Wilson | Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage (2017)

Wilson seems to get taller and add weight between every event he takes part in and looks well on his way to matching the physique of his older brother, Quincy, who signed with Florida in 2014. His improved physical prowess goes along with a very fundamentally sound game as a defensive back. He made play after play for the South Florida Express, including sealing a game with a crucial interception. Wilson already has several impressive offers, but by this time next year he might have an offer from whichever program he desires.

Raised stock

DB Kyle Meyers | New Orleans (La.) Holy Cross

The Florida State commit shied away from some major camp events during the spring but impressed for the second time in less than a month with his showing over the weekend. Meyers is a very physical defensive back who made a weekend out of harassing unsuspecting wide receivers at the line of scrimmage. He also made his share of plays down the field and surely helped his stock with his showing.

Mr. Versatile

DB Julian Love | LaGrange Park (Ill.) Nazareth Academy

The Notre Dame commit did a little bit of everything for his team, serving as the go-to wide receiver on offense and also making several plays while at defensive back. Love's game fits perfectly to the 7-on-7 environment and with his versatility and athleticism, he was an easy choice for this award.

Buzzworthy

WR Austin Mack | Fort Wane (Ind.) Bishop Luers

Any time you lead your team to the national championship, you're going to create your share of buzz, but Mack had plenty of the Southeast prospects in attendance asking just who exactly he was. The Ohio State commit impressed with his physicality and ability to avoid jams as well as his constituent hands and proclivity for big catches in big moments. Mack is a playmaker who will likely be a very good fit in the Buckeyes' offensive attack.

Super standout

WR D.J. Matthews | Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian

Matthews is one of the fastest wide receivers in the class and makes up for his somewhat limited size (6-1, 175) with an incredible burst. He created separation and caught nearly everything thrown in his vicinity. He was the most consistent player at the massive event.

Most accurate

QB Aidan Smith

| Fort Wayne (Ind.) Carroll

Smith came into the event without the fanfare of some of the other quarterbacks that headlined the tournament. That didn't stop him from stealing the show. The Northwestern commit was a technician all weekend and led his team to the tournament title. He rarely threw behind his receivers and showed a knack for finding his second and third options in a hurry.

Deep threat

WR Nate Craig-Myers | Tampa (Fla.) Catholic

When Myers is motivated, there are few wide receivers in America that can match his big-play ability. He was certainly motivated over the weekend and made a number of deep catches that saw him create gaping separation from the jump. Craig-Myers is also a threat in traffic, but he shines particularly bright on fade routes and go routes that challenge defensive backs to stay with him downfield.

Most vocal

DB Chauncey Gardner | Cocoa, Fla.

Gardner was his usually boisterous self during the tournament. He backed up his talk well, though, as he was one of the most impressive defensive backs in attendance. Gardner talks as well as he covers, though, and even engaged Cam Newton, who was coaching an opposing team, in a round of trash talk on Sunday.

Lightning in a bottle

WR Trevon Sidney | La Puente (Calif.) Bishop Amat

Sidney is explosive and uses off-the-line quickness to his advantage especially well during 7-on-7 events. At IMG, he carried his team's offense and routinely turned short passes into massive chunks of yards. Sidney's elusiveness is undeniable, as he somehow showcases it very well even playing touch football.

Biggest surprise

QB Mac Jones | Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles

Jones wasn't a total unknown when he arrived in Bradenton. He carries offers from Kentucky and East Carolina, but isn't exactly a familiar name in most schools' recruiting offices. He looked fantastic on Sunday, however, and was one of the more consistent quarterbacks at the event. Jones showed adequate arm strength and rarely made a poor decision with the football. He's likely to collect more offers as a junior if he continues to play at his current level.