The National Underclassmen Combine hit the Los Angeles area recently, as the Home Depot Center in Carson, California played host to two sessions.  The morning session was led by sophomore LB Brandon Brown, who turned in one of the most dominant performances of this 2008 combine season.

 Brown, 6-foot-1 and 243-pounds, of Norco High School, was completely dominating physically during the morning session.  He already possesses D-1 size and speed, and has the potential to be one of the top recruits in the Class of 2010.  Aside from winning the Overall MVP, Brown also won the Strongest Man award with 36 reps on 155-pounds.  He equally dominated the other combine events with a 4.60 40, 8’3” broad, and 30.5-inch vertical.

Also winning two awards was freshman RB Nolan Plummer of Bishop Montgomery High School.  Plummer, 5-foot-6 and 148-pounds, took home the RB MVP, as well as the Freshman Combine King award, after demonstrating his athletic ability, footwork, and overall movement skills throughout the morning.  He also had a 27.5-inch vertical, 4.83 40, 8’9” broad, 4.53 shuttle, and 14 reps on 135-pounds.

Another frosh who impressed was Freshman MVP Antwaun Woods of Taft High School.  Woods, 6-foot-0 1/2 and 268-pounds, has an incredible build for a freshman defensive lineman, and was completely dominant during 1-on-1’s.  Woods also had a 22.5-inch vertical, 5.51 40, 5.08 shuttle, and 34 reps on 155-pounds.

The WR MVP and the Leadership Award both went to players from Lakewood High School.  Sophomore DB Terrence Woods took home the Leadership Award after having an excellent morning during 1-on-1’s, and showing his leadership skills within both his group and the camp.  Woods, 5-foot-4 and 161-pounds, also had a 26.5-inch vertical, 4.87 40, and 4.72 shuttle.  Winning the WR MVP for Lakewood was sophomore Kevin Anderson, who at 5-foot-9 and 166-pounds, has a impressive combination of hands, route running ability, and athleticism.  He also didn’t disappoint during the combine events with a 32-inch vertical, 4.62 40, 4.36 shuttle, 9’5” broad, and 14 reps on 155-pounds. 

Also deserving special mention at the receiver position was sophomore Marc Millan of Mission Viejo High School.  Millan, 5-foot-11 and 173-pounds, is a big-time playmaker, who made numerous deep receptions. He also had a 27-inch vertical, 4.99 40, 4.67 shuttle, 8’8” broad, and 21 reps on 155-pounds.

Winning the DB MVP was sophomore Martin Rogers of Lincoln High School, who at 6-foot-0 and 181-pounds, showcased great cover skills and a physical style of play that made him dominant throughout the morning.  He also had an 8’11” broad, 4.78 shuttle, 4.98 40, and 26.5-inch vertical.

Sophomore Brandon Connette of Santiago High School was named the QB MVP after showing pinpoint accuracy, impressive leadership skills, and a fabulous deep ball.  Connette, 6-foot-1 1/2 and 183-pounds, also had 20 reps on 155-pounds, a 4.45 shuttle, 5.06 40, and 31.5-inch vertical. 

Just missing out on the QB MVP, and deserving a special mention, was sophomore Brett Nottingham of Monte Vista High School.  Nottingham, 6-foot-2 1/2 and 185-pounds, demonstrated great velocity on his throws, plus he had a smooth delivery and good athleticism.  He also had a 27-inch vertical, 4.88 40, 8’3” broad, and 4.39 shuttle.

Making their family proud were the Barnes twins of St. John Bosco High School.  The sophomores took home two awards, with Christopher Barnes taking home the LB MVP, while Justin Barnes won the Combine King Award.  Christopher, 5-foot-9 and 192-pounds, was spectacular during 1-on-1’s, while showing a great combination of speed and power.  He also had a 9’1” broad, 4.60 shuttle, 4.69 40, 24-inch vertical, and 21 reps on 155-pounds.  Justin was the Combine King during the morning session after a 27.5-inch vertical, 9’1” broad, 4.64 40, 4.44 shuttle, and 27 reps on 155-pounds.  Aside from the combine events, the 5-foot-7 and 191-pound linebacker/running back, also showed impressive speed and athletic ability throughout the individual drills and 1-on-1’s.

The Fastest Man Award went to sophomore WR Brando Tessar, 5-foot-11 and 167-pounds, of Chimanade College Prep.  Tessar also pushed WR MVP, Kevin Anderson, to the end and just barely missed winning the award himself.  Tessar, who also attended the Ultimate 100 Camp in 2007 and was named one of the Top 75 Freshman in the country by the National Underclassmen Combine, is a great all-around athlete with impressive hands and route running ability.  He showcased his speed with a 4.53 40, which won him the Fastest Man Award.  He also had a 30.5-inch vertical, 9’0” broad, 4.50 shuttle, and 20 reps on 155-pounds.

The final two awards of the morning session went to the lineman position.  The DL MVP went to sophomore George Uko of Don Lugo High School.  Uko, 6-foot-3 1/2 and 283-pounds, is an absolute powerhouse and is destined to be a D-1 defensive tackle.  He also has a 100” reach, 5.21 40, 5.19 shuttle, 21-inch vertical, and 15 reps on 185-pounds.  And the OL MVP went to sophomore Labib Damouni of Arcadia High School.  Damouni, 6-foot-1 1/2 and 270-pounds, showed great technique and footwork throughout the morning session.  During the combine events he also had a 5.09 shuttle, 5.76 40, 19-inch vertical, and 17 reps on 185-pounds.

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The afternoon session of the National Underclassmen Combine at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California was led by the play of sophomore WR Robert Woods.  The talented athlete went by the nickname “Amazin’” during the afternoon, and it was definitely well-deserved.

Woods, the Overall MVP at 6-foot-0 and 167-pounds, really showed the complete package at wide receiver.  Showcasing great range, hands, and speed in and out of his breaks, he repeatedly made amazing receptions throughout the individual drills and 1-on-1’s.  Coming from Junipero Serra High School, Woods also had a 29-inch vertical, 9’0” broad, 4.52 40, 4.45 shuttle, and 13 reps on 155-pounds.

Earning two more awards for Junipero Serra High School was freshman George Farmer, who wow’d the crowd during the afternoon.  Farmer, 6-foot-0 and 180-pounds, won both the Freshman MVP and the Fastest Man Award, after setting the all-time fastest 40-time for a frosh at the National Underclassmen Combine with a 4.38.  Add that amazing speed with his great athleticism, route running ability, and hands, and Farmer is definitely one to watch.  Aside from the 40 time, he also had a 32.5-inch vertical, 8’7” broad, 4.44 shuttle, and 15 reps on 135-pounds.

Another receiver who impressed was WR MVP Kaelin Clay of Long Beach Poly.  Clay, 5-foot-8 1/2 and 167-pounds, used his combination of route running ability and speed to constantly get open during the 1-on-1’s.  During the combine events he also had a 31-inch vertical, 8’6” broad, 4.57 40, and 4.47 shuttle.

The race for the RB MVP went neck and neck between sophomore Michael Boyd Jr. of Henry Kaiser High School and sophomore Da’Jon Hairston of Hart High School, with the eventual winner being Boyd.  At 5-foot-9 and 165-pounds, Boyd showed amazing explosiveness, plus very quick moves during the individual drills and 1-on-1’s.  He also had a 27.5-inch vertical, 4.77 40, 4.50 shuttle, and 18 reps on 155-pounds.  Although Hairston did not walk away with the MVP, he definitely deserves a special mention.  At only 5-foot-5 and 132-pounds, he demonstrated great footwork and pass receiving abilities throughout the afternoon.  He also had a 25-inch vertical, 4.83 40, and 4.58 shuttle.

It was a successful afternoon for St. Bonaventure High School, which produced three award winners.  Winning the DB MVP was sophomore Tim Bennett, who at 5-foot-9 and 150-pounds, showed great athleticism and cover skills during the 1-on-1’s.  He also had a 4.72 40, 8’4” broad, and 4.50 shuttle. 

Winning the QB MVP for St. Bonaventure was sophomore Tieler Souza.  Although a bit undersized at 5-foot-9 and 160-pounds, Souza is a very accurate passer, with a great long ball and very good drop back skills.  He also had a 4.26 shuttle, 4.80 40, 8’4” broad, and 20-inch vertical. 

The LB MVP went to sophomore Dylan Davis.  Davis, 5-foot-10 1/2 and 210-pounds, is a great athlete who has an impressive combination of power and hip movement to help him excel in coverage.  During the combine events he had a 27.5-inch vertical, 8’1” broad, 4.71 40, 4.61 shuttle, and 20 reps on 155-pounds.  And as a special mention, sophomore LB Cody Berry, 5-foot-9 1/2 and 194-pounds, of Righetti High School showed great power and strength, while getting 19 reps on 155-pounds, a 4.91 shuttle, and 5.08 40.

Winning the DL MVP was sophomore Josh Shirley of Henry Kaiser High School.  Shirley, 6-foot-1 1/2 and 200-pounds, is a bit undersized for the defensive line, which may result in a future move to the linebacker position, however for now he showed a great speed rush and is an all-around impressive athlete.  He showed this athleticism off during the combine events with a 4.76 40, 29.5-inch vertical, 9’0” broad, 4.73 shuttle, and 19 reps on 185-pounds.  Deserving of a special mention at this position was sophomore Brady Burk of Liberty High School.  Also undersized at 6-foot-0 and 208-pounds, Burk showed great athleticism and speed during individual drills and 1-on-1’s.  During combine events he had a 29-inch vertical, 8’4” broad, 4.96 40, 4.71 shuttle, and 22 reps on 185-pounds.

The battle on the offensive line also produced two viable candidates for the MVP award.  Finally winning was sophomore Jonathan Hernandez of Rancho Cucamonga High School, who at 5-foot-10 and 257-pounds, showed a good combination of hands and feet, plus is an all-around impressive athlete.  He also had a 5.28 40, 5.00 shuttle, and 16 reps on 185-pounds.  Pushing Hernandez the entire way was freshman Troy Sexton of Artesia High School.  Sexton, 5-foot-10 and 230-pounds, showed impressive technique and good quickness during the individual drills, and followed that up at the combine events with a 5.17 40 and 7’4” broad.

The Combine King Awards went to freshman RB Ryan Henderson of Rancho Verde High School and sophomore RB DJ Morgan of Taft High School.  Henderson, 5-foot-8 and 153-pounds, is a fabulous all-around athlete with a 35.5-inch vertical, 8’10” broad, 4.56 40, 4.68 shuttle, and 23 reps on 135-pounds.  Morgan, 5-foot-9 and 162-pounds, used his athleticism and explosion to excel throughout the afternoon.  He truly shined during the combine events, however, where he had a 9’7” broad, 4.42 40, 4.26 shuttle, 36.5-inch vertical, and 17 reps on 155-pounds.

The last two awards in Los Angeles went to sophomore OL Emmanuel Wilson of Henry Kaiser and sophomore QB Brian Blechen of Royal High School.  At 5-foot-9 1/2 and 318-pounds, “Manny” won the Strongest Man Award by getting 25 reps on 185-pounds, while Blechen took home the Leadership Award.  The quarterback, 6-foot-2 and 182-pounds, is both a great leader and athlete, plus he throws a very impressive deep ball.  He topped that off by getting a 25.5-inch vertical, 4.89 40, 8’8” broad, 4.57 shuttle, and 15 reps on 155-pounds.

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