Top Prospect Elite - Class of 2015/2016 Top Performers

Norman, Oklahoma- Over 550 prospects from around the country were on hand for the final NUC Camp of the season held on the gorgeous Oklahoma University campus. One of the largest groups at the camp was the class of 2015 and 2016. Each of these participants earned their way into one of the most elite camps in the nation by qualifying at an earlier NUC event. They had the opportunity to show off their football acumen during agilities, individual position work, one-on-ones, and in a 7-on-7 instructional camp. Below are the young prospects that caught the watchful eye of, NUC National Analyst, Barry Every. These prospects demonstrated the skill and possessed the size potential to play football at the next level.

Michael Daniel, RB, 5-10-1/2, 186, Brookings, SD (2015)

Assets: Daniel made his mark during the 7-on-7 instructional tournament by dominating on both sides of the ball. This back has the knack for finding the holes in the defense. He also has the size and strength to fight defenders for the ball. There was no question that he was the marquee player on his team making his name known for his quality play on the field and leadership off the field. He made circus catch after circus catch using his hands away from his body.

Development: Hailing from an area of the country that is not known for producing major DI talent may be one strike against Daniel. Once he has a couple of good games this fall he must get his film up on the web. It is also never too early to start mapping out some one-day college camps next spring/summer. Daniel must continue to work hard on the weights while remaining very flexible.

Sam Letton, TE, 6-4-1/2, 203, Lexington Catholic, KY (2016)

Assets: It's hard to believe this young tight end already has the size, hands, and body control to take over camps. Letton does a nice job of running routes by making hard plants and using a good head and shoulder fake. He is also strong enough to take balls away from linebackers and safeties in jump ball situations. During the 7-on-7 instructional tournament and the one-on-ones he proved to be a pure mismatch going against smaller defensive backs. His superior effort earned him the TE MVP over his peers at this position.

Development: He will need to work on adding that extra muscle mass to become an every down tight end while also maintaining his overall athletic skill set. He has four years to do this and he will get a chance this fall to play varsity football for the first time.

Markale Moses, DB, 5-9, 148, Tulsa Memorial, OK (2015)

Assets: Moses caught my eye immediately at the first agility station. No other young prospect could pick his feet up and down with quickness and balance like this young defensive back. He possesses excellent change of direction and has hips on a swivel. Moses already has good height for the corner position. During individual work and one-on-ones he was able to backpedal low and smooth affording him the opportunity to make plays on the ball. His strong performance garnered him the coveted DB MVP.

Development: He will need to add about 20 pounds of muscle mass while maintaining his overall athletic ability over the next three years. I would also like to see him work on being more physical with the receivers at the line of scrimmage.

Tre Nation, RB, 5-9, 172, Leeds, AL (2016)

Assets: Nation was the other young 2016 athlete that was able to outshine older kids in the camp. He has great size for a young back with all the bells and whistles included in his skill set. Nation is quick, fast, and explosive with the ball in his hands. He is also a very good route runner that possesses excellent hands and the ability to get north and south in a blink of an eye after the catch. He was the easy choice for the NUC coaches as the RB MVP for the class of 2015/2016.

Development: He needs to get his freshman year off to a good start athletically and academically. It will go a long way to legitimizing his athletic skills and putting him on the radar of DI colleges.

Emmanuel Prather, WR, 5-9, 166, Duncanville, TX (2015)

Assets: Prather was one of those athletes that caught my eye right away during agilities with his light feet and superior change of direction. But it was the way he attacked the ball with his hands and made yards after the catch that set him apart from his peers. He was one of the kingpins that led his team to the freshman 7-on-7 instructional tournament championship. His body control and leaping ability allowed him to make play after play. His dominate performance earned him WR MVP in a deep and talented group of athletes.

Development:  As a slot receiver he will need to work on getting stronger and using his hands to keep defenders from jamming him at the line of scrimmage. He will have to fight hard this fall to win a spot on the Duncanville Varsity squad. If he makes the squad he will get a chance to prove himself in the most athletic district in the Lone Star State.

James Proche, II, WR, 5-11, 170, Prime Prep Academy, TX (2015)

Assets: All I can say is Wow! From start to finish this prospect dominated the entire camp with his athleticism and ball skills. He was footloose and fancy free whipping through all three agility stations. He then proved to be a dynamic route runner with crazy sick ball skills during individual position drills. There wasn't a defensive back in the camp that could stay with him during one-on-ones and he totally dominated the 7-on-7 portion of the camp. He is so athletic and gifted he could project on either side of the ball. He would have gave the class of 2013 and 2014 stars a run for their money.  Needless to say he was the unanimous choice for Overall MVP for the class of 2015/2016.

Development: Al I can say is that he needs to stay focused on being the best and not to get big head syndrome. If he continues to work hard he will become a national level recruit.

Reese Ryan, QB, 6-1, 170, Lexington Catholic, KY (2015)

Assets: Ryan backed up his strong showing at the Midwest Ultimate100 with an even better performance at this camp. He gets good depth in a hurry in his drops while holding the ball high allowing him more time to make a decision on where to throw the ball. Ryan has a quick ¾ arm throwing motion as the ball comes out spinning like a bullet. He has good weight transfer and is able to pinpoint his passes with velocity. Ryan was the easy choice for QB MVP in this camp.

Development: This fall he will backup Louisville commit and former NUC star Kyle Bolin. Hopefully they will blow out some teams so he can get his first taste of varsity action.

Alfred Smith, WR, 5-9, 168, Destrehan, LA (2015)

Assets: Smith has the build of a running back being thick in the midsection of each muscle on his body. He has quick feet and can change directions on a dime. But the best part of his game is his ability to attack the ball with his hands and contort his body to make circus catches. During the 7-on-7 instructional tournament he made back to back catches while lying on his back demonstrating superior concentration. His play did not go unnoticed as he was named the Athlete MVP for the camp.

Development: Smith could work a tad on his homerun speed allowing him to become a deep ball threat. His skills surely will not go unnoticed playing at one of the best public schools in the Pelican State.

Zach Stewart, OL, 6-3, 264, Coalfield, TN (2015)

Assets: Stewart totally dominated this camp from an athletic point of view and a physical point of view. It's hard to believe that someone this young and big is so athletically gifted. He must have taken 25 reps of one-on-ones going against all challengers losing only one rep. He is a natural hip and knee bender with the strength to totally stonewall smaller quicker pass rushers. Stewart proved to be very tough playing with an attitude bent on destruction. There was no question about who the most dominate OL/DL was in this camp. His herculean effort earned him OL MVP.

Development: He could possibly work on getting into his pass set a tad quicker but that is just me being picky. It's time for him to take his talents to college one day camps so he can show off his superior skill set.

Nick Thomas, LB, 6-0-1/2, 197, Concordia, KS (2015)

Assets: Thomas has a great build for a young linebacker. He possesses excellent overall body structure and long arms. He looked natural dropping in coverage while being physical at the point of attack. His frame will easily allow him to hold another 30-pounnds of muscle mass. During the 7-on-7 instructional tournament he did a nice job of closing down the middle of the field to all receivers. Though the competition at linebacker was talented Thomas shined above all others earning LB MVP. 

Development: Adding quality muscle mass while continuing to work on being a superior athlete will be his biggest challenge. He has three years left of high school so hitting the weight room while working on flexibility and speed will propel this athlete into the radars of college coaches.

Deionte Thompson, WR, 6-1, 162, West Orange-Stark, TX (2015)

Assets: For the second big camp in a row this receiver proved to one of the best route runners for his age in the country. No one snatches the ball out of the air like this intended target. He is silky smooth in his route running keeping defensive backs from cheating on his breaks. During the 7-on-7 instructional tournament he proved to be one of the go-to-guys on third down and in the red zone. His change of direction sawed off several defensive backs at the knees. For his hard work he was voted 7-on-7 MVP.

Development: Thompson is rail thin at this time and will need to add at least 20 more pounds of muscle mass over the next three years. This added weight will improve his blocking, ability to get off press coverage, and durability. If he does this while continuing to hone his skills he will become one of the next great prospects from West Orange-Stark.