UA Game: The Farrell Awards
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This award is given to the best-looking prospect on the hoof, the guy who looks like he could play in college or even the NFL right now. Kaumatule was easily the most physically impressive and imposing player during the week. He looks the part of a defensive tackle in college and is already built like an NFL defensive end. You could easily confuse him with a much older prospect or even an NFL guy, he looks that great. Kaumatule is headed to Oregon.
Honorable Mention: You have to include Seffner (Fla) Armwood defensive end Byron Cowart, who looked as good as ever, but Brookhaven, Miss linebacker Leo Lewis was a big surprise as he looked much bigger than when we saw him last, and he has that SEC linebacker size. Suffield (Conn.) Suffield Academy defensive tackle Christian Wilkins stood out physically, as did Clemmons (N.C.) West Forsyth defensive end Jalen Dalton, who was bigger and longer than I expected.
Bull Market
Christian Wilkins | Suffield (Conn.) Suffield Academy
This goes to the player who raised his stock the most during the week and Wilkins came down from Connecticut where he played weak prep competition and was dominant from Day 1. Wilkins showed the athleticism to shoot the gap, the strength to hold the line of scrimmage and the athleticism to block an extra point and outrun everyone more than 90 yards. Clemson is getting a special talent.
Honorable Mention: Big Leo Lewis had a good week and looked the part for sure while Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy quarterback Deondre Francois was the best at his position in practice and the game. Palm Beach (Fla.) Palm Beach Gardens linebacker Tevon Coney was very consistent and received the most praise at his position for Team Armour. Gibsonton (Fla.) East Bay defensive end Marques Ford had a good week and was very active during the game.
Bear Market
Sterling Jenkins | Pittsburgh (Pa.) Baldwin
This award is not one that you want; it's for the player whose stock dropped the most during the Under Armour week. This is a tough call for sure and it's always hard to talk about one or two players who didn't impress in a week of action, but every year there are a few guys who are simply disappointing. Jenkins has great size and looks amazing on the hoof, but he was a turnstile all week long and it was hard to evaluate the rush ends going against him because it just looked too easy. He doesn't move his feet enough or use his long arms so he remains a big project for Penn State.
Honorable Mention: Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick struggled quite a bit in solo coverage as the week progressed and had a rough game handling receivers, Evans (Ga.) Lakeside safety Rashad Roundtree wasn't as rangy as we hoped and certainly wasn't as physical as expected. Corona (Calif.) Santiago quarterback Blake Barnett had a rough week throwing the ball and showed that he has to be moving around and running to be effective and Orange (Texas) West Orange Stark safety Deionte Thompson didn't play like a five-star, especially in coverage. Lawton, Okla. offensive tackle Jalin Barnett also struggled quite a bit, as did most of the Team Armour offensive line. Running back Nicholas Brossette didn't show as much explosion as the other backs.
Fancy Feet
Ronald Jones II | McKinney (Texas) McKinney North
This award goes to the player with the best feet, whether it's an offensive lineman or a cornerback, big man or mighty mite. Jones is very shifty and makes guys in space miss as he showed at times in practice and in the game, where he juked out linebackers consistently. He is committed headed to USC.
Honorable Mention: Long Beach (Calif.) Poly cornerback Iman Marshall has great footwork and is always in the right position. Terry Godwin and Daylon Charlot both showed great feet in space. There were others but these stood out.
Hard Hat
Derwin James | Haines City, Fla.
This one goes to the biggest hitter, which is essentially the guy who laid the lumber in the game or by accident in practice because there was not much tackling to the ground during the week. James always lays the lumber when he arrives at the football and delivered a brutal blow teammate Shaun Crawford in practice when the two teammates collided. There weren't many big hits during the week or game, but the Florida State commit stood out as a thumper.
Honorable Mention: Defensive end Byron Cowart destroyed offensive tackle Keenan Walker in practice in a vine that went somewhat viral and he laid a couple big hits in the game as well. Dallas (Texas) Skyline linebacker Anthony Wheeler filled the lane effectively all week long.
Lunch Pail
Tevon Coney | Palm Beach (Fla.) Palm Beach Gardens
What's the difference between Hard Hat and Lunch Pail? The Hard Hat Award is for the biggest hitter while the Lunch Pail Award is for the guy who does the dirty work that doesn't get into the box score or noticed by many. Coney was consistently the best form tackler in drills and played with the best leverage and was a guy that picked things up quickly. He will be a leader at Notre Dame.
Honorable Mention: Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga College offensive tackle Richie Petitbon wasn't his usual angry self in practice and actually struggled at times, but in team work and the game he was effective, especially in the run game. Jefferson City (Mo.) Helias tight end Hale Hentges wasn't utilized in the passing game but he was a solid blocker and took care of Kaumatule on a solo block on Jones' TD run in the game, which was not an easy task.
Stick-Em
Christian Kirk | Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro
This award sounds like it's for a defender who hits, but it's really for a receiver with the best hands during the week. The winner, in a close battle, is Kirk. Kirk was effective not only in getting open but also catching pretty much everything thrown his way. Kirk is committed to Texas A&M.
Honorable Mention: Coconut Creek (Fla.) Monarch wide receiver Calvin Ridley showed great hands on all but one day and Tyron Johnson made some really impressive catches during the week on some poorly thrown balls.
Poise Under Pressure
Deondre Francois | Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
This is essentially for the best quarterback who performs when the lights come on and there is actually a live pass-rush coming at him, and Francois was perfect in the game. He hung in the pocket well and never panicked on a long pass to Campbell. He showed off his field vision and ability to go to a second read on his TD throw to Garrett Williams.
Honorable Mention: Allen, Texas dual-threat Kyler Murray was the only other quarterback really worth mentioning for the game. While his arm strength wasn't that great and he threw a back pick, he is as fast and shifty as advertised when running the ball.
Laser Rocket Arm
Deondre Francois | Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
This award goes to the quarterback with the best arm who showed the ability to make all the passes with zip on the football. Francois clearly had the best arm of anyone and was able to make all the difficult sideline passes in practice. He is bringing his cannon of an arm to Florida State.
Honorable Mention: Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep quarterback Brandon Wimbush had the second-best arm at the event and everyone else had pretty much average arm strength overall. Wimbush made some nice throws during the week and had nice zip on the ball, although accuracy wasn't great.
Athletic Achievement
Soso Jamabo | Plano (Texas) Plano West
This goes to the player who was the best overall athlete at the event. While Jamabo was playing out of position at times at wide receiver, he still showed off his athletic ability both from the running back position and as a pass catcher. He's big, he's fast and he's shifty and I could see him playing anything from running back to wide receiver to safety to linebacker - he's that athletic.
Honorable Mention: Baltimore (Md.) Gilman School dual-threat Kai Locksley showed that he could run good routes, has separation speed and very good hands for a guy who currently plays quarterback and will likely play that position in college, depending on if he sticks with Florida State. Iman Marshall is a great athlete, not much more to say there.
The Snuggie
Iman Marshall | Long Beach (Calif.) Poly
This is for the player who provided the best coverage on defense during the week, and Marshall made things look easy. He knew where guys were going and what moves they were going to use, and he was in position at all times. He's so football smart, it's scary.
Honorable Mention: Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian cornerback Kevin Toliver II had a very good week of practice despite being outmuscled for a touchdown by Da'Vante Phillips in the game, and he showed off good downfield speed. Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga College defensive back Marcus Lewis showed closing speed we didn't know he had and was really good in coverage all week.
Position Precision
Kai Locksley | Baltimore (Md.) The Gilman School
This goes to the player who stood out despite playing a position he is not likely to play at the college level. Locklsey made a great catch in the game and made a few during the week as well. He's a quarterback by trade but he could easily play receiver at the next level at Florida State.
Honorable Mention: Tampa (Fla.) Sickles athlete Ray-Ray McCloud III was playing wide receiver but he's more effective as a running back who can slot out. Canton Kaumatule played defensive end but lacks a great first step and has the size to move inside. Madison (Ala.) Madison Academy Kerryon Johnson is a pure running back but did a really good job at safety overall.
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Mighty Mouse
Christian Kirk | Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro
This goes to the smallest guy who made the biggest impact and played bigger than his size, and Kirk seems to have won this award numerous times at different events. He's not the biggest receiver in the world but it doesn't seem to matter because he's open all the time.
Honorable Mention: Lakewood (Ohio) Saint Edward cornerback Shaun Crawford was the smallest player out there who wasn't a kicker but played well against bigger guys for the most part. Kyler Murray is shorter than listed but man, he can scoot.
Anger Management
Tommy Hatton | Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional
This award goes to the scrappiest player, the guy who competed not only to the whistle but at times beyond it. Hatton has a great mean streak. He feels underrated, disrespected and he plays that way. It's not a surprise as his coach, Augie Hoffman, was a nasty brawler in college and the pros. Hatton is the kind of guy you love to have on your team and hate to go against. He is committed to North Carolina.
Honorable Mention: Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Oakland offensive tackle Jack Jones started a few scraps here and there in practice and didn't care who he ticked off. Jacksonville (Fla.) Bishop Kenny offensive lineman Tyler Jordan got into a few fights in practice. Birmingham (Ala.) Shades Valley defensive tackle Daron Payne showed he wasn't one to mess with, and Tevon Coney also got into at times. East St. Louis, Mo. defensive tackle [db Beckner Jr.][Terry Beckner Jr.[/db] was always slapping away hands and bodies after the play ended in practice. Byron Cowart also played like his friend, the Chuckie doll, all week and smacked some people around. Honolulu (Hawaii) Farrington defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko brought energy and anger with him each day as well as the loudest and most inspired family fan base.
All or Nothing
Daylon Charlot | Patterson, La.
This is for the player who will either make a huge play or potentially make a mistake or be invisible at times. Charlot fumbled a punt and caught one at his own one-yard-line but he also returned one for a score and looks like a big play waiting to happen, with a high risk factor as far as decision making.
Honorable Mention: George Campbell seemed to make almost every catch during the week way downfield or in the end zone during red zone work. Ronald Jones II has homerun ability but can be bottled up because he bounces too much outside. Monroe (La.) Prime Prep wide receiver Brandon Martin made a big play or was invisible overall. Somehow, Cedar Hill, Texas wide receiver DaMarkus Lodge has gone from one of the most consistent pass catchers to a guy who could drop or catch anything depending on the play. Meanwhile, Lawrenceville (Ga.) Central Gwinnett linebacker Adonis Thomas can make a big play or can be juked out of his shoes at times leading to a big play.
Mr. Consistency
Damien Harris | Berea (Ken.) Madison Southern
This award goes to the player who was simply good all week long and could be relied upon to bring it each and every day. Harris was terrific from the first day of practice, when he showed off good burst and excellent hands. In the game he was just steady and patient and was as good late as he was in the first quarter.
Honorable Mention: Memphis (Tenn.) University offensive tackle Drew Richmond had a good week of practice, especially having to go against Byron Cowart all week. Cowart was consistent every day, bringing that motor and rage to his game.
Game Changer
Daylon Mack | Gladewater, Texas
This award goes to the player who had the biggest impact in the game itself. Mack had seven solo tackles in the game, including three for a loss, and a fumble recovery. While he was unblocked quite a few times as the center and right guard for Team Highlight struggled, he did what he was supposed to do and that was make plays.
Honorable Mention: Daylon Charlot had the big punt return while Wilkins had the play of the game with the blocked extra point and 90+ yard return. Eric Glover-Williams had a big punt return for a touchdown, Damien Harris and [db Jones II][Ronald Jones II[/db] both had big runs and Orlando (Fla.) First Academy tight end Garrett Williams had a nice TD catch/ Miami (Fla.) Central wide receiver Da'Vante Phillips took a touchdown pass away from Toliver. Deondre Francois had a very good game as well.
Silent Assassin
DeShon Elliott | Heath (Texas) Rockwall-Heath
This goes to the player that didn't make a ton of lists and didn't get a lot of attention. Elliott flits that description. Though he didn't receive a lot of hype, the Texas commit led his team in tackles in the game, was solid in practice despite being beaten a few times in solo coverage and was solid overall.
Honorable Mention: Marcus Lewis had a very good week and a big game while Montezuma (Ga.) Macon County linebacker Roquan Smith led his team quietly in tackles and filled well all week long.
Victim of Circumstance
Jacques Patrick | Orlando (Fla.) Timber Creek
This award goes to the player who couldn't really show what he could do because of his surrounding cast. This clearly belongs to Patrick who was running behind a horrible offensive line. Patrick couldn't get any space in practice and his only productive run in the game was his doing as he just used his explosive power and speed to will his way to some yardage.
Honorable Mention: Soso Jamabo was also victimized by a bad offensive line and some poor quarterback play while all of the Team Armour quarterbacks, De'Andre Johnson, Kyler Murray and Brandon Wimbush were harassed all week. Ray-Ray McCloud II had a big run in the game but wasn't used the way he should have been for the most part. Kerryon Johnson didn't get a chance to show his ability at running back because he was playing defense.
Star Gazing
Richie Petitbon | Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga
Lester Cotton | Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Richie Petitbon
This award goes to the player entering the game that was in prime position to earn that extra star, whether it was a fifth or fourth star, but didn't meet those expectations. This one goes to two Alabama commits in Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga offensive guard Richie Petitbon and Tuscaloosa, Ala. offensive guard Lester Cotton. Petitbon was steady at times earning honorable mention in our Lunch Pail category but he wasn't nearly as dominant as he needed to be to earn that fifth star. Cotton suffered a concussion on day one, effectively ending his chances of moving up.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Wimbush clearly didn't have the week that could have pushed him up while Norcross (Ga.) Greater Atlanta Christian cornerback Micah Abernathy was victimized most of the week and especially in the game as he searched for that fourth star.
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Mike Farrell
National Recruiting Director
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