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Sophomores shine at Nashville NUC

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Nashville NUC 2011 standoutsClick Nashville NUC 2012 standoutsClick VIDEO: Here to view this Link. | Here to view this Link.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Some of the top talent from the Volunteer State competed in Saturday's National Underclassmen Combine at Glencliff High School in Nashville.
The 2012 class put on quite a show in the early session. Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth wide receiver Cory Batey took home the camp Overall MVP Award after posting a 4.49 shuttle and a 4.6 40-yard dash on a very soggy field and dominating in one-on-ones.
The 6-foot, 183-pound Beaty is a close friend of heavily recruited teammate Antonio Richardson, a Class of 2011 offensive tackle prospect who took home the MVP trophy from last year's Nashville NUC.
Knoxville (Tenn.) Austin East running back Cordy Cox not only won the MVP for the backs, but he also received the leadership award for the 2012 class. Coaches loved the 5-foot-8, 185-pound runner's quickness and cutting ability. He also showed that he can catch the ball out of the backfield in one-on-ones.
Mount Juliet, Tenn., cornerback Josh Shelton already has the size (6-2, 180) to play at the next level. He was the only defensive back that could challenge Batey in one-on-ones. Shelton runs well and shows great ability to recover, but needs to work on his hips.
Big Men Dominate
The 2012 class of defensive line prospects was the highlight of the day. Defensive line MVP Jamel Hall was one of several standouts that dominated the one-on-ones. The Greenville, Tenn., prospect consistently beat down his opponents during one-on-ones, dominating almost every rep. Hall might be a bit undersized at 5 feet 10 and 250 pounds, but he has a motor that won't stop.
Knoxville (Tenn.) Austin East defensive end Devante Nail was the most impressive-looking defensive line prospect. Nail has good size (6-2, 247) and displayed a wide array of moves in one-on-ones.
Two other defensive ends that impressed were Caleb Azubike from Nashville (Tenn.) McGavock and Henry McClendon from Cleveland, Tenn. Azubike has a great frame to build on at 6 feet 4 and 214 pounds, with long arms and he used his hands well. McClendon (6-3, 245) was very impressive in one-on-ones, using his brute strength to overpower the offensive linemen.
Baylor School offensive tackle prospect Barrett Gouger looked very good in one-on-ones. At 6 feet 4 and 273 pounds, he used his strong legs and wide base to stop oncoming rushers in their tracks.
QBs Headline 2011 Class
The talk of the late session began and ended with the quarterbacks. Mike Wegzyn walked away with the MVP award. He recently transferred from Northville, Michigan to Knoxville (Tenn.) Catholic. He was an all-conference performer in 2009 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association. Wegzyn already looks college-ready, measuring in at 6 feet 5 and tipping the scales at 210 pounds. Wegzyn has a very strong arm, puts nice spin on the ball and showed good touch. He already has an offer from Buffalo and is hearing from several schools including Duke, Boston College, Northwestern, Wake Forest and Central Michigan. Wegzyn's brother Matt is a walk-on tight end at Tennessee.
Nashville (Tenn.) Brentwood Academy signal caller Matthew Hamby was runner-up in the MVP race at QB. Hamby also has a nice-looking, long frame at 6 feet 4 and 206 pounds. He needs to work on his accuracy, but has a very live arm and nice touch. Hamby has been hearing from Vanderbilt, Northwestern and Middle Tennessee State among others. Hamby will participate at the Elite 11 QB regional camp in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on May 22.
Best of the Rest
Oak Ridge, Tenn., offensive tackle Jose Valedan was named Co-MVP for the offensive line. Valedan moved his feet well, showed great agility and did very well in one-on-ones. Valedan, who checked in at 6 feet 4 and 265 pounds, doesn't mind to mixing it up and playing physical. He has been hearing mainly from Auburn. Lafayette (Tenn.) Macon County offensive tackle Matthew Key also impressed. The 6-foot-4, 286-pounder held his own in one-on-ones and moved his feet well. Key doesn't have any offers, but is hearing from Vanderbilt.
On the defensive side of things, Columbia (Tenn.) Zion Christian Academy defensive end Javaris Neal showed good explosion off the ball while dominating every rep of one-on-ones. Neal has nice size at 6 feet 2 and 245 pounds and he is a physical prospect with plenty of upside. Johnson City (Tenn.) Science Hill defensive end Alex Payne also impressed. Payne showed plenty of athleticism, and is extremely quick off the ball. He might be undersized at 6 feet 1 and 225 pounds, but he makes up for it with surprising strength and an array of moves.
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