Tampa NUC top performers
TAMPA, Fla. - The National Underclassmen Combine made a stop in Tampa, Fla., recently and attracted some of the area's best freshman and sophomore talent.
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Here is a look at 25 of the top performers from the combine.
Tampa NUC Top 25 Performers
Gideon Ajagbe, RB, Coconut Grove (Fla.) Ransom Everglades
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Ajaybe (6 feet 2, 198 pounds) had an awesome day at the field as he was awarded the RB MVP as well as sophomore combine king. Ajaybe had a 33-inch vertical, 10-foot broad jump and ran a 4.59-second shuttle. The king was also able to bench press 155 pounds 19 times.
C.J. Bennett, QB, Tampa (Fla.) Alonso
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Bennett (5-11/198) was the QB MVP. Bennett had a 22.5-inch vertical and bench pressed 155 pounds 16 times.
Marcus Cunningham, WR, Lakeland (Fla.) Kathleen
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Cunningham, a 5-11, 160-pounder, earned the WR MVP after displaying his great athleticism. Cunningham, who had a 33.5-inch vertical and 9'0 broad jump, is one of those receivers who can save quarterbacks from throwing potential interceptions because of his leaping abilities.
Jeremy Davis, WR, Fort Myers, Fla.
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Davis was crowned the sophomore combine king as well as the fastest man after his impressive day on the field. Davis, a 5-11, 152-pounder had a 30-inch vertical leap, 9'0 broad jump, and ran a 4.5 40. Davis will definitely give defensive backs fits during the 2008 season.
Dalton Diehl, OL, Ruskin (Fla.) Lennard
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: When it comes to hitting the weights, Dalton knows the 'Diehl', as he was awarded the combine's strongest man. The 5-11.5, 270-pound lineman bench pressed 185 pounds 23 times.
Chris Dunkley, WR, Royal Palm Beach (Fla.) Royal Palm Beach
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: The 5-11, 168-pound Dunkley was the WR MVP after having a 31-inch jump-stand vertical and running a 4.66 40. Dunkley will definitely use his leaping ability in the future to catch balls that are thrown a bit too high.
Tevin Drake, RB, Brooksville (Fla.) Nature Coast
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Drake was named the RB MVP after a very good effort at the combine. Drake, a 5-10.5, 195-pounder had a 28.5-inch jump-stand vertical, 8'5 broad jump and bench pressed 155 pounds 16 times.
Jeremiah Gates, RB, Ocala (Fla.) Trinity Catholic
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Gates (5-10/203) won the RB MVP following his impressive performance. Gates had a 28-inch vertical and 8'4 in the broad jump. Gates also benched 135 pounds 20 times.
Jeremiah George, LB, Clearwater, Fla.
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: George won the overall MVP after an excellent effort during the entire combine. The 5-9.5, 175-pound linebacker had a 32.5-inch jump-stand vertical, a 9'1 broad leap, and bench pressed 155 pounds 25 times. His leaping abilities should lead to some interceptions for him this season.
Hunter Joyer, FB, Wesley Chapel, Fla.
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Joyer was named the freshman MVP. Joyer (5-10/223) had a 25.5-inch vertical and set a combine record by benching 135 pounds 64 times.
Jatyuan Landing, S, Palm Harbor, Fla.
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Landing actually took quite awhile before landing as his 39.5-inch vertical sent him sky high. Landing, a 5-8, 145-pounder also benched 155 pounds 12 times which is impressive considering that is more than he weighs.
William Lucas, LB, Lakeland, Fla.
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Lucas was the recipient of the LB MVP after stuffing the stat sheet at the combine. Lucas (5-10/200) had a 32-inch jump-stand vertical, 8'7 broad jump, ran a 4.69 40 and bench pressed 155 pounds 35 times.
Cameron Mahone, RB, El Dorado, Ark.
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Mahone (5-5.5/165) won the RB MVP after a good effort at the combine. Mahone had a 27-inch jump-stand vertical, 8'3 broad jump and bench pressed 135 pounds 26 times.
Khiry McQuay, CB, Tampa (Fla.) Hillsborough
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: McQuary won the overall MVP after excelling in all the categories. The 5-7, 149-pounder had a 9'2.5 broad jump, ran a 4.54 shuttle, 4.75 40 and bench pressed 155 pounds 17 times.
Gary Myrick, DE, Brooksville (Fla.) Nature Coast
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Myrick was the winner of the DL MVP. This 6-4, 238-pounder had a 26.5-inch vertical jump and ran a 4.85 shuttle. Myrick also bench pressed 155 pounds 23 times.
Evan Neville, LB, Englewood (Fla.) Lemon Bay
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Neville (6-1/220) won the LB MVP after displaying both athleticism and power. Neville had a 26.5-inch jump-stand vertical, and bench pressed 155 pounds 31 times.
Raymond Nixon, OL, Wesley Chapel, Fla.
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Nixon was the winner of the OL MVP as well as the strongest man following his dominant performance at the combine. The 6-3.5, 311-pound force benched 185 pounds 36 times and ran a 5.31 shuttle. Any QB with Nixon on his offensive line will definitely be protected well.
Isaac O'Neal, QB, Lakeland (Fla.) Kathleen
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: O'Neal (5-8.5/155) was awarded the QB MVP. O'Neal had a 27.5 jump-stand vertical, 8'8 broad jump and 4.81 shuttle.
Kyle Peck, RB, Lakeland (Fla.) George Jenkins
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Peck was impeccable as he was named the fastest man and won the leadership award. The 5-7.5, 161-pounder had a 30-inch vertical and ran a 4.59 49 while displaying a great attitude and leadership skills.
Shaman Richardson, OL, Ocala (Fla.) Trinity Catholic
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Richardson was announced freshman combine king after showing his Herculean strength. Richardson bench pressed 155 pounds 40 times.
Alex Sanders, WR, Lakeland (Fla.) Kathleen
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Although he isn't Deion, Alex Sanders is definitely primetime as he was awarded the freshman combine king. Sanders (5-11/159) had a 30-inch jump-stand vertical, 8'5 broad jump and ran a 4.69 shuttle.
Mark Smith, OL, Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: While Mark Smith may be a typical name, Smith's strength was anything but typical. This 6-2, 250-pound lineman bench pressed 185 pounds 24 times.
Cody Van Deboe, QB, Trinity (Fla.) Mitchell
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: As all good quarterbacks do, Van Deboe showed his leadership abilities en route to winning the leadership award. This 5-9, 154-pounder ha a great attitude and is a coaches dream.
Grayson Weber, OL, Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Weber's excellent feet and blocking ability enabled him to win the OL MVP. The 6-4.5, 250-pounder also bench pressed 185 pounds 14 times.
Shaman Richardson, OL, Miami (Fla.) Northwestern
COMBINE HIGHLIGHTS: Wilson was a very good defensive lineman and was awarded DL MVP. Wilson had great feet and good physical strength as he bench pressed 185 pounds 22 times. Wilson is a major force on the line as not many high school players grow to be 6-3, 325 pounds.
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