Under Armour Analysis: Black team standouts
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.– Rivals.com recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg breaks down some of the top performers from Thursday's Black squad practices at the Under Armour All-American Game.
Under Armour All-American Game Black Team Standouts: Thursday
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S Ray Ray Armstrong, 6-4/218, Sanford (Fla.) Seminole
ASSETS: Versatile talent that shows outstanding athleticism coupled with great size and instincts for the game.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Struggles somewhat in coverage against some outstanding receivers on the Black squad.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: Tremendous athlete that lined up everywhere on the field. He had an outstanding open field tackle on the elusive Russell Shepard.
CONCLUSION: What's the best position for Armstrong? Early on he appears to be headed to play free safety but he is likely to grow into an outside linebacker.
WR Duron Carter, 6-3/183, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas
ASSETS: Has outstanding hands and finds a way to get open and make plays.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to get bigger and continue to work on getting faster.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: Had a dominating day two practice by showcasing his excellent route running and glue-like hands, making plays in every phase of the passing game.
CONCLUSION: Carter may lack top end speed but he gets open and catches everything in sight. He has a chance to be a star at Ohio State.
WR Andre Debose, 6-0/183, Sanford (Fla.) Seminole
ASSETS: Super speed and quickness, good hands and the ability to beat a defense a variety of ways with his versatility and play making ability.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to get stronger and continue to work on his route running.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: Caught the ball with consistency.
CONCLUSION: Debose can impact a game similarly to Percy Harvin. He could easily fit into any type of offensive scheme at receiver. He has great natural ability and is a threat to score from anywhere.
DT Abry Jones, 6-3/273, Warner Robins (Ga.) Northside
ASSETS: Powerful defensive lineman that shows versatility.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to play lower and with better technique.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: Like his teammate, Demonte McAllister, Jones is lining up at defensive end even though he projects as a defensive tackle. He played well in one-on-one drills and applied some pressure on quarterbacks in scrimmage action.
CONCLUSION: Jones looks like he could grow into a beast in the middle. He looks strong, quick and fast for a big man and should have a chance to shine at Georgia.
DT Demonte McAllister, 6-3/273, Tampa (Fla.) Alonso
ASSETS: McAllister has a strong-side defensive end body right now and he shows enough athleticism to play that very position. He has long arms, carries 263 pounds very well and moves well for a big man.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to play hard on every play.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: McAllister is playing defensive end and looks good at that position. He looked very good in the one-one-one drills against offensive linemen and he got in the backfield on a few occasions in 11-on-11.
CONCLUSION: McAllister looks like he could play inside or out in Tallahassee and has shown good versatility on the defensive line. He's quick for a big man and makes plays in the backfield.
DT Jacobbi McDaniel, 6-0/267, Greenville (Fla.) Madison
ASSETS: Very strong and quick off the ball. He also runs well for a defensive tackle.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: There's not much you can pick apart about his game other than he needs to continue to work on technique.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: Had a couple of impressive battles with Jack Mewhort. On one play he tossed Mewhort to the ground. In 11-on-11 McDaniel penetrated the offensive line often and was a disruption for the offense.
CONCLUSION: I have seen two days of practice here and McDaniel looks like the top defensive line prospect on the field.
S Darren Myles, 6-1/175, Atlanta (Ga.) Carver
ASSETS: Has talent at free safety, showing great range and good coverage skills.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to bulk up and continue to work on getting better in run support.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: I really like the way Myles patrols the secondary from his safety position. He did a nice job today of covering the field and breaking to the ball on a few different occasions.
CONCLUSION: Myles is every bit as talented as any safety on either squad and looks like he has a great future ahead of him.
ATH Greg Reid, 5-9/175, Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes
ASSETS: Reid has excelled for two days at corner, showcasing outstanding cover skills.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Will always be labeled too small to play cornerback and will really have to work hard and fight against the much bigger receivers.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: For the second consecutive day Reid was outstanding at corner, locking down receivers and making plays. He jumped one route early on in 11-on-11 for an interception on Shepard. Even when a receiver did make a catch against him the coverage was good.
CONCLUSION: Coaches here in Orlando are raving about Reid and for good reason. He has it all but ideal height. Some feel he's even better on offense.
WR Nu'Keese Richardson, 5-9/151, Pahokee (Fla.)
ASSETS: Playmaker with blazing speed and quickness and is terrific in space.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: The one area of concern is Richardson's lack of size, which he really can't control except to continue to get stronger.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: Had a nice day playing wideout and in the slot. He made a beautiful catch along the sideline with Greg Reid draped all over him, showing the ability to go up in the air with good body control, field awareness and concentration.
CONCLUSION: Richardson, like Debose, is electric with the ball in his hands and should excel playing slot receiver in the Florida offense.
OG Peter White, 6-5/340, Washington (D.C.) St. John's College
ASSETS: Good feet for a player of his size.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to shed some pounds, get stronger and continue to work on technique.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: Showed the footwork and athleticism to keep some athletic and strong linemen in front of him during one-on-one drills.
CONCLUSION: White had a much better practice on day two and showed his raw talent.
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