Roundtable: Big personalities, best combos
Rivals.com football recruiting analysts weigh in on topics in a roundtable format regarding the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge in Atlanta this weekend.
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Mike Farrell: Christian HackenbergClick What QB-WR combo(s) do you expect to emerge as the best during the camp?Here to view this Link. and Marquez NorthClick What QB-WR combo(s) do you expect to emerge as the best during the camp?Here to view this Link. could be a deadly duo for the north team. I am especially intrigued by Max BrowneClick What QB-WR combo(s) do you expect to emerge as the best during the camp?Here to view this Link. and Steven MitchellClick What QB-WR combo(s) do you expect to emerge as the best during the camp?Here to view this Link., and I think they could be the most dangerous combination out there.
Adam Gorney: I have a feeling Max Browne and Steven Mitchell are going to have a great connection during 7-on-7 play. Browne can chuck the ball deep and with accuracy, and Mitchell can go anywhere to get it. It's going to be interesting to see, too, because both are committed to USC. I think it can be a great connection and one we could see for the next few years after high school.
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Josh Helmholdt: The quarterback-wide receiver connection I am most interested to see is definitely Tyrone Swoopes and Ricky Seals-Jones, but in this setting I think the speedy, quick wide receivers are going to really stand out. Christian Hackenberg and Jalin Marshall on the North team could prove to be a dynamic tandem this week. The 6-foot, 190-pound Marshall does not have a lot of experience at wide receiver, but he is an explosive playmaker with the football in his hands.
Chris Nee: Presuming they develop early chemistry, I really believe Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove four-star signal caller Johnathon McCrary and Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln four-star wide receiver Reggie Davis can create a dangerous pair for the Southeast squad. McCrary has a big arm and makes throws over the top look effortless at time while Davis has an excellent combination of speed and size that makes him a very dangerous deep threat. I can see the two forming a bomb squad of sorts on opposing defenses.
Brian Perroni: He's not a wide receiver but I expect Lake Charles (La.) Barbe tight end DeSean Smith to be outstanding catching passes from Tyrone Swoopes. Smith is very well-suited for the 7-on-7 game and plays like a big receiver. He is able to get open deep and has outstanding hands and I think he could emerge as the favorite target for Swoopes.
Mike Farrell: Scott PaganoClick Who will be the biggest personality at the event and why?Here to view this Link. from Hawaii will really bring an outspoken and confident demeanor to the camp and I can see Shaquille WigginsClick Who will be the biggest personality at the event and why?Here to view this Link. trash-talking the most.
Adam Gorney: Montravius Adams issued a warning to offensive linemen that they better be ready for him so it's going to be interesting to see how he performs this weekend with an ankle injury. From everything I've read, the Vienna (Ga.) Dooly County defensive tackle is a talker and my guess is that offensive linemen will be ready to prove themselves against him. It will be interesting to see who steps up the most.
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Josh Helmholdt: I have not met a lot of big personalities in the 2013 class. There are a number of guys who will bring plenty of confidence and swagger to the event, but the 2013 class is unique in that there are not many outspoken kids in the bunch. The biggest personalities may be from the smaller collection of 2014 prospects. Da'Shawn Hand and his vice-grip handshake always makes a strong first impression, and I doubt he will shy away from being outspoken just because he is an underclassman.
Chris Nee: Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek three-star cornerback Shaquille Wiggins has been billed as a guy who talks a lot but backs it up on the field. An avid recruiter for the Georgia Bulldogs and a competitor on the field, Wiggins won't be shy about letting his opponents and cohorts know of his presence during the event. I envision him doing plenty of recruiting as well as challenging opponents during the event. Best part of it all, he backs up with talk with performance.
Brian Perroni: Now that Hawaii defensive tackle Scott Pagano has been added to the roster, I think it will be him. He has been very adamant on Twitter lately in insisting he is every bit as good as the nation's top defensive tackle. If he backs up his talk with his play, it will be even more fun to see how he reacts.
Whose ranking could be impacted most by how he performs this weekend?
Mike Farrell: Reuben Foster has the most to prove here. He's the No. 2 player in the country with Kendall FullerClick Here to view this Link. and Jaylon SmithClick Here to view this Link. breathing down his neck, but he's also on the cusp of that No. 1 slot. He could either end up on top or slide down a bit.
Adam Gorney: It could be Scott Pagano. The fact that the Honolulu (Hawaii) Moanalua defensive tackle decided at the last minute to attend the Rivals.com Five-Star Challenge is impressive enough and now we're going to see him on the field. He might be the best defensive tackle in the country, his ranking could be appropriate or he could get exposed a little bit by outstanding competition. We'll see this weekend.
Josh Helmholdt: Durham (N.C.) Hillside's Josh McNeil is currently the No. 10 tight end in the country, and he will go up against the Nos. 2 and 3 prospects at his position in Atlanta. That is a great opportunity for the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder to prove he is in that company and make a move in the next rankings update.
Chris Nee: Nashville (Tenn.) Brentwood Academy cornerback Jalen Ramsey is already ranked as a four-star prospect, No. 90 in the nation, and the top overall prospect in his home state, but I believe he can make a statement while competing against some of the nation's top wide receivers this weekend. Ramsey has good size, length and excellent athleticism to give receivers a lot of issues. Most of all, he is very competitive in the camp setting and will look to act as a shutdown defensive back. I can see him making a significant move with a strong performance in Atlanta.
Brian Perroni: Several receivers in my region including Ricky Seals-Jones, John Diarse and Eldridge Massington all have a chance to make either big moves up or big drops depending on how they do against the top-notch competition they face this weekend.
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