Speed Skill Challenge: What to watch for in Orlando
The first ever
Advertisement
Speed & Skill Challenge presented by Under Armour will take place Saturday
at West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Fla. As usual, the Sunshine State
has no shortage of talent, with plenty of the top names from North and Central
Florida set to descend on the Orlando area for the event. The event is the first
of its kind on the camp circuit, with all positions except linemen given the
chance to learn from top coaches and show off skills in agility, athleticism,
speed, quickness and ball skills. The challenge will include one-on-one
competitions and skeleton sessions. There figures to be plenty of standout
showings, but what are we most excited to see?
Here's a breakdown of the five storylines we are watching heading into the
event.
How will Henry fare?
The Rivals Speed & Skill Challenge will be Malik
Henry's first marquee Southeast event since transferring to IMG Academy.
Five-star Florida State quarterback commitment Malik Henry is
a seasoned veteran of the Rivals Camp Series, having already competed in
regional camps and at the Five-Star Challenge in Baltimore last year. But with
his recent transfer to IMG Academy, Henry will get his first taste of a marquee
Southeast event. After an impressive performance at the Elite 50 Experience in
January, the Florida State commit has solidified his five-star status. Now the
question is, can he make case to be mentioned among the best of the best, fellow
five-star quarterbacks Jacob Eason and Shea Patterson? A
strong showing on Saturday could go a long way toward helping his case.
Five-star defenders
While Henry is the most notable offensive player scheduled to participate in the
event, his IMG Academy teammates, linebacker Rahshaun Smith and
defensive back Saivion Smith are the two most notable names on the
defensive side of the ball. Much like Henry, Rahshaun Smith will be getting his
first taste of a Southeast event after transferring to IMG. The touted
linebacker is also transitioning from his role as a defensive end, so it will be
interesting to see how he handles playing in space against top talent. Saivion
Smith is no stranger to big events and will look to continue his lockdown ways
that made him a five-star to begin with.
Will a Peach State star steal the show?
Richard LeCounte is already up to double-digit
offers.
There are plenty of 2017 players registered with a laundry list of big-time
offers, but Hinesville (Ga.) Liberty County athlete Richard LeCounte
has a list that can rival pretty much any player in his class. The versatile
playmaker already has a Five-Star Challenge under his belt and he'll surely be
looking to earn another shot at Baltimore. Because of the rivalry between
prospects in Georgia and Florida, LeCounte will likely be challenged by several
of the Sunshine State's best in both reps and trash talk.
Buckeye commits on display
In addition to 2017 star LeCounte, a pair of Ohio State's commitments
are expected to add an impressive 2017 flavor to the
event: versatile athlete Bruce Judson from Cocoa, Fla. and lockdown
defensive back Shaun Wade from Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian.
Both players are a long way from signing a letter of intent, but Urban Meyer and his staff have made it clear that they plan on recruiting the
state of Florida harder and harder as the years move along. Judson and Wade are
both already held in high regard, but will they become examples to other
Buckeyes targets of the caliber of player the school is going to land going
forward? Players respect other players who go out and compete and both prospects
will have ample opportunities to shine.
Johnson is one to watch for 2018
Class of 2018 defensive back Tyreke Johnson was in the eighth grade last
year when he was one of the top performers at the Rivals Camp Series event in
Orlando. Now that he's actually in high school, the nation's top 2018 player
will look to continue his success. With offers from most of the nation's elite,
always eager to prove that he's worthy of his lofty status. With top-notch wide
receivers like Rivals100 prospect Elijah Stove set to attend, Johnson
will have his work cut out for him. But he's risen to the challenge before and
likes to compete against the best, so it will be fun to watch him square off
against players like Stove in one-on-ones.
