Top talent to come out for Md. event
The best of the best from the state of Maryland as well as from the District of Columbia and a select few from Virginia will be on hand for the Rivals.com Five-Star Academy run by Haden Sports & Performance in Annapolis, Md., on Friday night, March 13. Led by the state's top prospect, Frederick (Md.) St. John's Catholic Rivals100 defensive end J.R. Ferguson.
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Ferguson, a 6-foot-4, 260-pounder with offers from more than 30 programs in the country, leads a strong defensive line group that will be getting after it at the event. He will be joined by Christchurch (Va.) Christchurch School defensive tackle Nick Acree, a Virginia Tech commitment who is one of the most physically impressive prospects in the nation, and Frederick (Md.) St. John's Catholic end Forrest Mason, Ferguson's teammate who has his first offer from UConn. Others to watch at defensive line include Washington (D.C.) St. John's College tackle Andre Monroe and two 2011 prospects, LaMonte Clark from Washington (D.C.) Ballou and Vincent Croce from Olney (Md.) Good Counsel.
Battling the defensive line will be a strong group of offensive linemen led by Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha's Arie Kouandjio who has offers from Maryland, North Carolina, Pitt and UConn. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder is emerging as one of the better tackles on the east coast. Washington (D.C.) St. John's College lineman Kortlan Jackson and 2011 offensive tackle Jamar Lewter from Washington (D.C.) Ballou will also look to impress.
The wide receivers against the defensive backs will be a matchup to watch as well. On offense, Baltimore (Md.) City College standout Adrian Coxson and Washington (D.C.) H.D. Woodson's Sherrard Harrington lead the way. Others to keep an eye on include Columbia (Md.) Atholton wide out Matt Robinson, who can also play linebacker, Oxon (Md.) Oxon Hill speedster Malik Cross and Magruder wide out Karim Jones.
The wideouts will be challenged by a very strong group of defensive backs. Fort Washington (Md.) Friendly safety Jordan Haden has more than 20 offers and will be joined by Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha defensive back Lorenzo Waters, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel cornerback Louis Young, Washington (D.C.) H.D. Woodson standout Don Hursey and others. And 2011 Baltimore (Md.) Mount St. Joseph safety Devonte Jones is another to watch.
Throwing the passes will be the best quarterbacks in state. Washington (D.C.) H.D. Woodson quarterback Ricardo Young already has a few offers while Gambrills (Md.) Arundel signal-caller Billy Cosh also has a lot of early interest and an offer from Kansas State. Baltimore (Md.) Edmonson-Westside quarterback Jerry Lovelocke and Frederick (Md.) Tuscarora standout Josh Marshall will also be trying to hit their targets.
Finally, the running backs will be tested by some very good linebackers. Leading the linebacker group is Nick Forbes from Frederick (Md.) Thomas Johnson who has more than 20 offers. He'll be joined by teammate Washington (D.C.) Dunbar linebacker Javarie Johnson, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel stud Troy Gloster, Parkville, Md., 'backer Joshua Alaeze and Millersville (Md.) Old Mill athlete Josh Furman. All boast D-IA offers.
At running back, Frederick (Md.) Linganore star Zach Zwinak will be tough to handle as will Washington (D.C.) Coolidge back Avery Williams, who just received an offer from West Virginia. Oxon (Md.) Oxon Hill back Leo Gordon and 2011 prospect Dwayne Randall from Frederick (Md.) Linganore are also players to keep an eye on.
The event is invite only so no walk-ups will be allowed and Rivals.com has exclusive coverage rights to the event. The Rivals.com AMP team will be on hand for video coverage of the event and participants are urged to bring junior film with them if it's not already uploaded on the site.
The camp will be run by Joe Haden Sr., the father of Jordan as well as of Joe Haden from Florida and Josh Haden from Boston College and one of the most respected trainers on the east coast.
There are still a few slots open at certain positions for qualified participants so if interested e-mail mike@rivals.com for further information.
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