Top Gun filled with matchups to watch
The annual FBU Top Gun Camp, run by the organizers of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, will take place from Thursday through Saturday in Williamsburg, Va. With top competition and NFL-level instruction, the camp has been a place for many former Army All-Americans to shine. This year, led by five-star defensive tackle Aziz Shittu, some questions will be answered. Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell takes a look at a few of the questions heading into the camp.
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1. Will young OL stand up to a deep DL?
This camp is loaded with talented defensive linemen led by Shittu, the 6-foot-3, 275-pounder from Atwater (Calif.) Buhach. In addition to the five-star defensive tackle, four-stars Hassan Ridgeway (Texas commitment), Eli Harold (undecided), Alex Balducci (Oregon commitment), Korren Kirven (undecided) and Ryan Watson (undecided) will also be on hand.
Throw in some 2013 standouts such as Kenny Bigelow, Tashawn Bower, Jonathan Allen and Lowell Lotulelei, and you have a fierce lineup.
The offensive line is highlighted by three 2013 prospects, Derwin Gray, Chris Fox and Khaliel Rodgers but all three have early offers and plenty of upside. The battle of the big men will be intense.
2. Who's the best linebacker?
It's an interesting group of linebackers at this event as four names pop out. Class of 2012 Rivals250 members Nick Dawson and Abner Logan have been outstanding at different camps and events all spring and summer, but they will be challenged by two fantastic 2013 prospects in Peter Kalambayi and Doug Randolph. Kalambayi is a huge 'backer for his age and many are already starting to talk five-star status for him, while Randolph is an early commitment to Stanford and could be a top five player in the state of Virginia with ease.
And these four will be tested by a great crew of running backs that includes Barry Sanders, Wes Brown and 2013 studs Derrick Green, Adam Lane and Taquan Mizzell.
3. When the ball is in the air, who comes down with it?
Put aside the big men and the backs and 'backers, and let's look at the wide receiver-defensive back matchups. On the offensive side, there's Rivals250 wideouts Germone Hopper and Dominique Wheeler as well as three-star Trent Sewell. Add in 2013 star Richard Benjamin and you have some serious talent on that side of the ball.
Not to be outdone, the defensive backs are led by Rivals100 safety Jordan Diggs and arguably the top cornerback in the 2013 class in Kendall Fuller. Fellow 2013 prospects Leon McQuay III and Michael Parker add to the depth, and 2014 future stud Jalen Tabor is already a tested veteran of camps. This should be fun.
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