Three-Point Stance: Gorney's thoughts from San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO – It was a relatively light day at the All-American Bowl Week as install and special teams took precedence, but there was still some action from both the East and West teams. Here are Adam Gorney's thoughts on the opening day in San Antonio.

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Auburn flipped four-star defensive end Keldric Faulk and four-star cornerback Kayin Lee on signing day and after one day of practice at the All-American Bowl, both look like massive steals

Faulk, who flipped to Auburn from Florida State, is not only one of the best-looking prospects at the entire event but he was so dominant off the edge that there were no offensive tackles who had regular success against him. The Highland Home, Ala., standout has length, size and a motor that never, ever stops as he would not stop taking reps.

A former Ohio State commit, Lee flipped on signing day and while the Buckeyes should be just fine, it’s a huge win for the Tigers. The Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove cornerback bit on a double move early but closed and knocked the ball away from a fast receiver. Lee then followed that with two really nice pass breakups later during some 7on7 work.

December was a really good month for first-year coach Hugh Freeze and his staff on The Plains, as flipping Faulk and Lee is proving to be bigger than first imagined.

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Both the East and West teams did one long session of one-on-ones and there was a lot to learn. Here are the defensive linemen who made the biggest impressions:

Jordan Hall: The Georgia signee said that he was coming to San Antonio to prove he’s one of the best defensive tackles in the class and he did that – and more. The Jacksonville (Fla.) Westside four-star was completely unblockable. He could not even be slowed down during one-on-ones and he also took a ton of reps to prove himself even more. With surprising speed and a relentless attitude, Hall was awesome.

Brenan Vernon: Vernon had an interesting day. When he won reps, the Notre Dame commit looked great coming off the edge or moving inside and blowing by offensive linemen. But when the four-star got hands put on him by offensive linemen and he needed a counter move, there was nothing there and the rep was over. The Mentor, Ohio, standout was very hot or cold.

Keon Keeley: What stands out first is Keeley’s length as his arms hang so low at his sides but what was even more surprising was his burst off the edge. When the five-star Alabama signee went to the edge, there was no offensive linemen who could even get out of their stance before Keeley was by him. He also went inside multiple times and while he’s not the most powerful defensive lineman, Keeley still got the job done.

Keldric Faulk: Read above. If that wasn’t enough praise, Faulk was unstoppable and only Utah signee Spencer Fano got the best of Faulk on one rep. Otherwise, the Auburn signee beat everybody on almost every rep and they were convincing wins.

Tomarrion Parker: The Clemson signee is listed at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds but he looks taller because of his excellent length. There is not a lot of difference among him, Faulk and Keeley as elite defensive linemen as he came off the edge and was unstoppable. He moved inside for some reps where he won as well.

Yhonzae Pierre: The Alabama signee was so active and aggressive during one-on-ones and he could not be slowed down, another defensive lineman who had an excellent day. Pierre even had an interception during team drills when he leaped up to block a pass and the ball fell in his hands. From a production standpoint, the four-star really stood out.

It wasn’t a busy day at the All-American Bowl practices as the teams install offense and defense, get the terminology down and work on special teams, but from a physical standpoint there were definitely standouts on both teams.

On the East team, quarterback Dante Moore looked best but that offense didn’t do much. No. 1 running back Justice Haynes separated himself at that position, especially in drills where he just had an extra burst and looked different.

The receivers didn’t do one-on-ones but tight end Pearce Spurlin had some nice catches, including a one-hander early in the day. That team is loaded at receiver, though, with five-stars Brandon Inniss, Carnell Tate and others, so more is expected throughout the week.

Georgia offensive line signee Monroe Freeling was excellent at left tackle especially early in the day. At defensive back, Oklahoma signee Makari Vickers and uncommitted Tyler Scott looked best knocking passes away all day.

On the West team, Oregon signee Austin Novosad threw the nicest ball consistently throughout practice. Texas receiver signee Ryan Niblett used his speed and stretched the field better than anybody and LSU tight end signee Ka’Morreun Pimpton looked like a million bucks.

On defense, Bai Jobe had a great morning and Samuel Omosigho was not super active but he has great length. That defensive back group is absolutely loaded led by Ohio State signee Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Ole Miss signee Braxton Myers and Jelani McDonald, who’s down to Texas, TCU and Oklahoma State.