Sims among DBs to stand out at Vick Elite Playmakers Showcase

ATLANTA — Former NFL quarterback Mike Vick brought his V7 Elite Playmakers Showcase series to his old stomping grounds Sunday, where several top prospects turned out for the event. Here are some takeaways from a hot, sunny afternoon.

Atlanta is known for producing elite defensive backs, so it wasn’t surprise to see several elite prospects make their mark. The group was highlighted by Rivals100 Michigan commit Myles “Spider” Sims, but four-star defensive back Trey Dean was also very impressive, as was Georgia defensive back commit Christopher Smith.

In addition to the Atlanta contingent, players from Nashville and New Orleans also impressed. Rivals100 defensive back and Kansas commit Corione Harris made the trip up from the Bayou to flash his talent and three-star Nashville-area defensive back Jarek Campbell turned in one of his best camp showings ever. Campbell is a converted wide receiver and continues to look more effective in coverage. Louisville, Cincinnati and Memphis are in the mix for him.

Rivals250 defensive lineman D’Andre Litaker suffered a knee injury in the first game of his junior season in 2016, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. Since then, Litaker has battled adversity on and off the field, including the tragic death of his mother in an automobile accident. Litaker returned to the field for his first action in a camp setting in more than a year.

He said it felt good to be back in action and while he didn’t participate in one-on-ones, he enjoyed receiving coaching and competing. Litaker is on track to participate fully with his team this upcoming fall. Tennessee and Alabama are the two programs vying to land his commitment.

It’s been 11 years since Vick suited up for the Falcons, but the amount of cache he still has in Atlanta can’t be denied despite the messy ending of his career as a Falcon. Several fans turned out just to meet Vick and watch him in action and even the most elite prospects at the event were lining up to take photos with him after the camp. Vick clearly loves being on the field working with prospects and the camp setting gives him a chance to meet and coach players from all over the country.

One player Vick was particularly impressed with was Auburn quarterback signee Malik Willis, who worked the event as a coach. Vick spent a lot of time talking with Willis and giving him tips on his game. Since Willis arrived at Auburn in January, two quarterbacks have transferred and it’s clear Willis is a name for college fans to remember.

Willis has gotten bigger and stronger in the six months since enrolling early at Auburn and looked effortless throwing the ball deep down the field during warm-ups. After blossoming during his senior season at Roswell High in the Atlanta area, Willis could be shaping up to be a huge steal for Tigers.

Not every five-star prospect pans out, but it doesn’t mean they stray far from the football field. That as the case on Sunday as Marcus Vick, a five-star in the Class of 2002 and Michael’s younger brother, and Enrique Davis, a five-star in the Class of 2008, turned out to coach at the event as well. Marcus Vick’s promising career was derailed thanks in part to some off-field troubles, but he looked in his element being back on the field working with some of the event’s top players.

Davis lives in the Atlanta area and trains prospects, with some of his past players being 2017 Virginia Tech signee Jalen Holston and 2017 Louisville signee Justin Marshall.