Valdosta MVP Camp Standouts

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Over the weekend, almost 300 players from six different states traveled to Lowndes High in south Georgia to compete at the first MVP Camp of 2021. Many players put their names on Rivals’ radar, and we highlight just some of those in this feature.

Chase Belcher is an interesting athlete with the size and athleticism to project at a few different positions. He made a couple of big-time catches playing wide receiver in this camp, and his ability to track the ball and fight for it stood out. He is a thick athlete with strength and could line up on either side of the ball on the next level. South Alabama has offered.

Thomas Castellanos has become a hot name in Georgia over the last few weeks after strong performances at the NFA 7-on-7 in Myrtle Beach and now at the MVP Camp. He worked out at quarterback Sunday and made some nice throws. He is a very intriguing prospect that recently picked up an offer from Florida State. There is no doubt he can project at other positions, but he is looking for an opportunity to play quarterback on the next level. He definitely has that ability.

Kanaya Charlton is an offensive lineman with a big frame that looks more like a guard or center on the next level. He has heavy hands and great balance for his size. He has continued to rework his body and was really strong in 1-on-1’s. His flexibility and ability to bend allows him to create and maintain a great base in the trenches. Schools like Florida State, LSU, Mississippi State and Oklahoma have offered.

Marlon Corey has a long tackle body, and he showed athletic feet/flexibility and balance. As he continues to grow and physically mature, he showed the look of a future SEC caliber player. His length and body control allowed him to compete at a high level even though he has a lot of room for improvement with technique. Look for him to pick up early offers.

Nick Covington passes the eye test. He is a long, physical cornerback who competes for the ball. He showed that he can run with and mirror routes in man in man coverage. He demonstrated the hips and feet to play off man and zone coverage as well. With his length and body, he is a versatile defensive back who can project at cornerback or safety. He should see his recruitment take off soon.

Damarcus Creecy is not a physically imposing kid, but he showed he can throw the deep ball with accuracy. He has the ability to throw the deep out from the opposite hash with rhythm/velocity and accuracy. As he progresses as a quarterback, he could emerge as a big-time quarterback in the Sunshine State.

The new Florida State commit showed up in Seminole gear, and if there were any Florida State fans in the stands, they were likely telling their friends about Davis’ talent Monday at work. In camp settings, it is not easy for running backs to stand out, but Kameron Davis did, and he did quite often. He showed great hands out of the backfield, elite quick cuts on a dime, and he looks like one of the top players at his position early on in 2024.

Zavion Hardy drew attention right away as he checked in with his size. Once the camp got going, the long edge rusher shined with his quickness and athleticism. He is only a sophomore, and with his frame, he could grow into an interior player down the road as well. He has the frame, athleticism and upside that will draw him a lot of attention in the coming months. Georgia offered him Sunday afternoon.

Adam Hopkins broke his ankle in a basketball game as a freshman, then battled COVID-19 over the summer, but he had a strong sophomore season, and showed he is fully healthy now. He is an elite athlete, and could project on either side of the ball, but worked at wide receiver Sunday. He played that position very well. He ran away from defenders, he created separation, and he made quite a few plays down field. Purdue recently offered, and he also has offers from Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech and others.

Antwon Jackson is a lean cornerback with good length and physicality. He is not afraid to play aggressive at the line of scrimmage, and he was able to turn and run with receivers in coverage. He needs to add weight, and get stronger, but he is a name you should hear more about moving into the 2021 season.

Ashton Jackson has become a regular at the MVP Camps, and he continues to improve. He is more of a combo player with long arms. He has developed as an offensive lineman over the past year, and he has really improved his technique. He demonstrated the ability to move and play with power in a confined space. As he continues to reshape his body, he will improve, and his is likely nearing his first offer.

Malik Leverette is a big wide receiver now, but could project as a FLEX or hybrid on the next level. He is only a sophomore, and as he will be one to track as he continues to grow. His hands are strong, he will fight for the ball, and he showed Sunday why Maryland recently offered.

Exavier McDowell is an intriguing athlete. He is a lean edge rusher with great quickness off the ball and the ability to turn the corner. He is likely more of a rush-drop outside linebacker in college. He has a lot of room to grow, so he is one worth keeping an eye on.

Aaron Philo has been working and training with 2021 Georgia signee Brock Vandagriff, and he looks ready to take over the reigns next fall at Prince Avenue Christian. Philo looked good with his reads, he showed arm strength, and the freshman will be one to watch moving forward. He took a lot of reps, and was sharp much of the day.

Persean Taylor is an athlete who has played all over the field throughout his high school career, and could be one that draws a lot of interest his upcoming senior year. He missed his sophomore season due to a knee injury, but is back now, and he showed that in this event. Taylor is related to Joe Burns and Adam Choice, two former stars at Thomas County Central, so he has the bloodlines in his favor as well.

Ka’Shawn Thomas worked on both sides of the ball, and flashed at defensive tackle and the center positions. He is a powerful player with the ability to get off the ball quickly on defense, and the flexibility and agility to dominate as an interior offensive lineman. His power and agility separated him from others in this group. Has an early offer from South Carolina.

Stantavious Smith has a good frame for an interior defensive lineman, and he showed a nice get-off and power in the trenches. He is still raw from a technique standpoint, but as he develops his hand skills to get off blocks, he will be very hard to handle. He has a long list of offers, including Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia and Ohio State.

Landen Thomas is only a freshman, and he is already 6-feet 4-inches tall, 210 pounds, and a super long athlete. His catch radius stood out multiple times, and he really caught the ball well with his hands. He is more mature as a player than his grade level, and it was easy to see why he has early offers from the likes of Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Tennessee and others.

Dijmon Wheeler was at worst in the top two at the wide receiver position Sunday, and his stock is on its way up. He is a tough receiver off the line of scrimmage, and he was quick out of his breaks, so he was tough for defensive backs to cover without holding. Schools like Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina and Minnesota have offered. He will add plenty more.

Dylon Worthen is only in the 8th grade, but he created quite a buzz at the camp. He has elite athleticism, and showed a great first step working at defensive end. He has the frame right now to be a LB prospect as a middle schooler. He has great power, and that showed while working at end and linebacker Sunday.