Sound Mind, Sound Body: Key takeaways

WHITTIER, Calif. – Sound Mindy, Sound Body partnered with the Kings of Cali College Showcase for a big event on Friday. Here are some takeaways as some of California’s top prospects worked out.

One of the best cornerbacks in the state is Elijah Blades and he continues to have an excellent offseason.

The best attribute about Blades’ game is his length. At 6-foot-3, the Pasadena (Calif.) Muir standout does an excellent job poking the ball away and getting his long arms in the path of the ball. And he stays with receivers on deep routes without a problem.

Arizona and Florida remain the favorites for Blades, who just moved to four-star status and could keep climbing the charts with a big senior season.

The top of the cornerback rankings are ripe for an intense debate because at least the top three players have a serious argument for No. 1 status.

Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake’s AJ Terrell is a physical specimen and showcases his athleticism and speed maybe better than anyone else. He’s the top-rated cornerback at this point.

But Clairton, Pa., recruit Lamont Wade was absolutely fantastic and earned MVP honors at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge Presented by Under Armour, and Calabasas, Calif., prospect Darnay Holmes was dominant again at the Sound Mind, Sound Body Camp.

Holmes has great size, he’s fabulous in one-on-one coverage, physical and tough through the route and he can rip the ball out even if the receiver comes down with it.

In one of the more anticipated reps of one-on-ones, Holmes knocked the ball away from four-star receiver Tyjon Lindsey. And if you know anything about the Corona (Calif.) Centennial receiver, that rarely, if ever, happens.

Plenty of talk has surrounded five-star receiver Joseph Lewis and 2018 five-star WR Jalen Hall at Los Angeles Augustus Hawkins, and rightfully so since they’re two of the best prospects in the country.

Aashari Crosswell is another special recruit at Hawkins who has seen his recruitment take off this spring, and many more offers could be coming.

Crosswell is a physical defensive back who doesn’t give up an inch to any receiver, he’s tough and hard-nosed and he has an extra burst to make up ground late in the route. Going up against Lewis and Hall every day cannot hurt his development, either.

This was already well-known and well-documented but should be reinforced: There might not be a receiver in this class who is as unstoppable in one-on-one situations as Tyjon Lindsey, who was also awesome at the Five-Star Challenge.

He can catch short passes and make cornerbacks look like they’re stuck in the sand or he can separate on the deep ball and be wide open for a big gain. Press him and Lindsey shakes the corner and is gone. Give him any space and he catches something short and picks up yards.

Not only does he run sharp routes and not only does he have great speed, the Corona Centennial standout also has excellent hands. He doesn’t have a large catch radius but if the ball is put anywhere near him, Lindsey has the skill and athleticism to go up and get it.

For a college coach looking for lightly-recruited prospects who can really play, head to Mission Hills (Calif.) Alemany. There you will find three-star receivers Johnny Edwards and Warren Jackson.

Edwards is smaller but faster and more electric with the ball in his hands. Jackson is a long, lanky 6-foot-5, 177-pound outside receiver who can stretch the field and he has the size to go up over any corner.

Looking for a linebacker? Lamin Touray shut down every running back in one-on-ones, moves really well and he’s a physical kid who loves the game.