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The West will be well-represented at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge Presented by Under Armour this weekend in Atlanta. Here are five predictions to watch as the action unfolds inside the Georgia Dome.
1. Carr will make run to MVP
Najee Harris is the lone five-star running back in this class and the Alabama commit from Northern California has dominated events for at least a year. Harris has definitely backed up his ranking and then some.
But Stephen Carr should not be overlooked. The soft USC commit from Fontana (Calif.) Summit more than held his own against Harris in drills at the Los Angeles Rivals Camp. Perhaps more than any prospect in the state this spring, Carr has been unstoppable at 7-on-7 events.
The four-star has a perfect combination of size, speed and playmaking ability where he can make linebackers miss. Carr also is excellent catching the ball out of the backfield. With a dominant performance, Carr could definitely be in the discussion for a bump in the rankings.
2. Undersized WRs will shine ....
Two receivers from the West to watch especially during 7-on-7 play is Los Angeles Cathedral’s Jamire Calvin and Corona (Calif.) Centennial’s Tyjon Lindsey. They might be undersized, but both are tough to contain in the open field and both four-stars have shown an ability to stretch the field with the deep ball.
Lindsey is absolutely dynamic, whether catching a short pass and making people miss or going deep and testing bigger defensive backs. Calvin is hard to stop at the line of scrimmage, he’s a great route-runner with excellent hands and he’s definitely a reliable target in the passing game.
3. .... but Hawkins WRs will take over
Two five-star teammates will be in Atlanta and both Joseph Lewis and Jalen Hall could have big weekends.
Lewis has been dominant this spring, shows off surprising speed, soft hands and when he wants to, he can take over on the outside. He’ll be challenged by bigger and more physical corners from the Southeast, but Lewis is no pushover and should be able to stretch the field at will.
Hall, a 2018 prospect, has superstar written all over him, but like many prospects heading to the Five-Star Challenge, he could be tested like never before. With his size, his ability and his athleticism, Hall could really make an impression this weekend since he’s had no problem dominating events in California over the last few years.
4. Neilon will dominate inside
No. 1 overall prospect Marvin Wilson, five-star Tyler Shelvin and others will be huge tests, but four-star offensive guard Brett Neilon is fired up for this event – and to prove he’s one of the top interior offensive linemen in the country.
The Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic prospect is no-nonsense and turned in an incredible performance at the Los Angeles camp, where he overpowered some linemen and showed off excellent technique.
This will be his biggest test yet against many of the best – and biggest – defensive linemen in this class, but Neilon should be up to the challenge.
5. Graham will be motivated
Four-star Thomas Graham is one of the best cornerbacks in the country, but some others at his position have moved ahead of the Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., standout in the latest rankings release, so he’ll be out to prove he deserves to move back up the list.
Graham definitely has the ability and he will have every opportunity in the world to showcase his talents inside the Georgia Dome.
Many of the top receivers will be in attendance so Graham will have his chances through drills, one-on-ones and then an extensive 7on7 tournament to lock down some of the best guys.
The Rancho Cucamonga recruit definitely has the talent to continue to prove he’s one of the best corners in California –- if not the country.