The Roadies: Midwest Elite 7-on-7
Advertisement
Granted, there were not many other defensive linemen at Saturday's 7-on-7 event, but there are not many other defensive linemen who have the speed and athleticism to compete in that setting, especially at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds. Robertson mans the middle linebacker position for his AWP team, and his length makes it awfully difficult for teams to throw over the middle. But the four-star prospect can also run with tight ends down the field and is quickly developing his play recognition and ball skills. Robertson has always been one of the most physically impressive players on the field, but his game has really developed in the last year and is matching his potential.
Fastest
RB Tyon Woods | Fort Wayne (Ind.) Northrop
It has been a very good off-season for Woods, who is still looking for his first scholarship offer. He has been the backfield weapon AWP needs to complement the stable of wide receivers at their disposal. Woods has clocked 4.42 in the 40-yard dash and he brings that speed over to the football field, where he has the ability to blow by linebackers and defensive backs alike down the field, while also displaying the quickness and agility to make people miss in the open field. The issue that Woods faces is that at 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds he lacks ideal size for the next level.
Best Feet
CB Julian Love | LaGrange Park (Ill.) Nazareth Academy
This category could have been created for Love, a three-star Notre Dame commit. We saw at the St. Louis Rivals Camp Series presented by Under Armour, and several other venues throughout the spring, that Love possesses an exceptional pair of feet that allow him to quickly correct mistakes and make up ground on wide receivers who are trying to create separation. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Love was also noted for being physical at the line of scrimmage, something he is able to do because he has the skills to make up any ground lost.
Best Hands
WR Josh Terry |
Maywood (Ill.) Proviso East
This was a new name to land on my radar Saturday, but Terry stood out both physically and with his play on Saturday. As a junior at Proviso East, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound Terry played primarily free safety, but he worked out almost exclusively at wide receiver for his Top Gun 7-on-7 team. He really caught my attention during Top Gun's match-up with a loaded Boom Black team, and one play in particular stood out from that event. On a skinny post he extended high for a pass over the nickel cornerback and then split the safeties for a 40-yard touchdown. It was a very impressive grab and the three players he beat on that play are all high Division I prospects.
Underclassman Achievement
DB Houston Griffith (2018) | Chicago (Ill.) Mt. Carmel
Well-known underclassmen were well represented with prospects like Michigan tight end commit Carter Dunaway and Rivals100 2017 wide receiver Isaiah Robertson all in attendance. However, the clear winner of the top underclassmen award on this day was Griffith. Both his physical stature and understanding of the game and his position belie the fact that the 6-foot, 175-pound Griffith is just finishing his freshman year. Griffith has hips on a swivel, plenty of speed and he can hang with any wide receiver on the field. But, even more impressive is his play recognition and knack for being in proper position throughout a receiver's route.
Best Arm
QB Aidan Smith | Fort Wayne (Ind.) Carroll
It was a very solid group of quarterbacks in Auburn Hills on Saturday, but Smith showed once again there are few in the region who are as polished passers as the three-star from northern Indiana. Smith was alternating series with one other quarterback for AWP, but always looked in-sync when it was his turn to throw. The 6-foot-3, 188-pound passer is focused on keeping his arm mechanics short and simple so he can get the ball out of his hand quickly, but he is not losing any velocity or accuracy. Smith spins a beautiful football, can throw his receivers open and vary his trajectories appropriately.
Josh Helmholdt
Midwest Recruiting Analyst
Click Here to view this Link.