Barry's Top Performers - NUC Atlanta "Beat the Heat"

Winder, Georgia- This was the last week for athletes to qualify for the Regional Ultimate100's. There were over 150 athletes from around the Southeast on hand for the Atlanta 'Beat the Heat" held at Winder-Barrow High school this past Saturday. The morning session was comprised of prospects in the class of 2015 and 2016. The afternoon session saw the rising juniors and seniors compete. Each session comprised of a testing portion, individual position work, and one-on-ones. Below are some of the top performers seen, by NUC National Analyst Barry Every, as having potential of playing football after high school.

Devin Adams, QB, Vigor, AL (2014)

Official Size: 6-3, 233

Assets: This massive quarterback had the strongest arm in the camp. Adams had the most consistent spin of any signal caller regardless of age group. But it was not just his arm strength and throwing mechanics that stood out as he was able to put touch on his fade routes. There was not a throw that he could not make with precise accuracy and velocity. His strong performance allowed him to share the QB MVP for the rising junior class. Look for him to have a big season this fall at Vigor, AL.

Development: Adams needs to work on shifting some bad body weight around. This should help improve his overall athleticism thus allowing him to make yards with his feet and buy more time in the pocket. Adams does already have good strength as he benched 155-pounds 26 times.

Auston Banks, RB, Notre Dame, TN (2015)

Official Size: 5-7, 162

Assets: Banks has excellent overall body structure and good strength. He was able to bench 135-pounds 28 times while also jumping 30-inches in the vertical. His strong testing effort earned him the Combine King for the freshman class. But he was more than a testing monster as he demonstrated good change of direction (4.12 shuttle) and possessed soft hands. The running back group was by far the most talented position in this camp. Banks was one of three running backs that abused the linebackers in one-on-ones.

 Development: He can continue to add muscle mass while working on maintaining his overall athleticism. Banks definitely has a chance of playing football beyond high school.

Khari Blasingame, DB, Buckhorn, AL (2014)

Official Size: 6-0, 182

Assets: Blasingame has good size for a potential safety at the next level.  He also put up some crazy testing numbers with a 9-6 BJ and a 35-inch vertical. He did a nice job during individual position work by staying low in his backpedal allowing him to bounce out and attack the ball. During the one-on-ones he was physical at the point of attack. His strong effort earned him the sophomore DB MVP Award.

Development: He could work on shifting some body weight around. Right now he seems a bit thick through the powerbase region of his body. Adding some upper body strength and size while maintaining his athletic ability will only make him a more imposing figure in the secondary.

Malik Broughton, WR, Veterans, GA (2013)

Official Size: 6-4-1/2, 189

Assets: This prospect put up some of the sickest testing numbers in NUC History. Broughton brought his hardwood skills to the football field on Saturday. He ran a 4.63 40, 4.25 shuttle, and had a 9-6 BJ. But more amazingly he leaped 38-inches in the vertical testing. His size gave matchup problems to the smaller defensive backs in this camp. If the quarterbacks kept the ball high he was the only one that would have a chance to make a play on the ball. Really hard to believe that he has no DI offers at this point. His strong day earned him Combine King and WR MVP.

Development: As a receiver he is a bit raw as a route runner and he needs to attack the ball like he attacks rebounds. Adding upper body strength will also help him get off press coverage and improve his overall durability.

Steve Covington, DB, Whitewater, GA (2015)

Official Size: 6-1, 157

Assets: He possesses two things college coaches like in their cornerbacks. Covington has ideal height and extremely long arms for the position. He stood out during individual position work and was able to translate that to the one-on-ones. He used his long arms to reroute receivers and make plays on the ball. His strong performance earned him DB MVP for the freshman class.

Development: Covington will need to add some muscle mass and strength on his long frame. As he becomes stronger he should also improve his overall speed and quickness.

Christopher Fletcher, RB, Bob Jones, AL (2013)

Official Size: 5-8, 164

Assets: Fletcher was at his best during the one-on-ones using his superior change of direction and acceleration to create space for the quarterback to fit the ball into. He is definitely your quintessential all-purpose back. He runs sharp routes and possesses very soft hands. He simply abused linebackers in this camp. He ran a solid 4.65 on a thick grass surface and had a 4.35 shuttle. Fletcher's skill set will allow him to project as a slot receiver and a running back. His sheer dominance earned him the Overall MVP Award for the rising senior class.

 Development: He really needs to add about 15-pounds of muscle mass while maintaining his overall athleticism. This should help him get yards after contact while improving durability.

Justin Jones, DL/OL, South Cobb, GA (2014)

Official Size: 6-3, 266

Assets: Jones is an incredible athlete for a lineman. He ran a solid 5.31 40, 4.68 shuttle, and had a vertical jump of 27-inches. He possesses excellent overall body structure and extremely athletic legs that are attached to a great powerbase. Jones was the best defensive lineman and offensive lineman in the camp. He does a nice job of using his arms and hands to keep opponents off his body. But watching him take reps at left offensive tackle was a thing of beauty. He is a natural hip and knee bender and he used his arms like battering rams on the chest of rushing defensive lineman. His strong day earned him the Overall MVP for the class of 2014.

Development: Jones is ready for stiffer challenges like the Ultimate100 or one day prospect camp on a college campus. As a defensive lineman he needs to improve pad level at the point of attack. Offensively he just needs work against other athletes his caliber.

Mikell Lands, RB, Alexander, GA (2015)

Official Size: 5-11-1/2, 201

Assets: This is one big back for a freshman. He runs with good speed and power while possessing very soft hands for a big back. Lands ran a solid 4.72 40 and a 4.34 shuttle. He also has good strength having benched 135-pounds 23 times. His strong performance during the one-on-ones is what set him apart from the other good backs in this camp. He used his size and speed to bounce of linebackers while consistently getting deep. His strong performance garnered him the Overall MVP award for the class of 2015.

Development: He can work on running with lower body lean not exposing his body to hard hits. This will also allow him to make yards after contact by running behind his shoulder pads. His size may allow him to eventually grow into a big athletic linebacker.

Marchello Lewis, LB/DE, West Laurens, GA (2013)

Official Size: 6-2-1/2, 224

Assets: Lewis stood out from the crowd as he was clearly one of the best looking athletes on the hoof at this camp. He has the frame to add at least 25-pounds of muscle mass. He possesses a great powerbase and he is very strong as he benched 185-pounds 26 times. During the one-on-ones he stood out chasing faster backs deep down field. He never gave up on a play. He also took three reps of one-on-ones as a defensive end and looked like a superior pass rushing specialist. His overall performance earned him the LB MVP for the class of 2013.

Development: As a linebacker he had a tendency to over extend and get off balance when jamming running backs at the line of scrimmage. This left him chasing running backs down field. He may better project as an inside linebacker or pass rushing defensive end at the next level. College coaches need to take a look at his film on YouTube. Really hard to believe he has no DI offers at this time.

Charles McCoy, QB, Glen Allen, VA (2014)

Official Size: 6-0, 187

Assets: McCoy just turned 16 so he is a young rising junior signal caller. He really stood out because of his short compact throwing motion. He did one of the best jobs I have seen all year of checking down to the underneath route. He has nice spin on his passes and he threw with touch. When other signal callers were trying to continually throw deep this prospect knew that moving the chains with high percentage completions is the more effective decision. His good day earned him a share of the QB MVP for the class of 2014.

Development: McCoy needs to add some solid muscle mass to his frame. This will improve his arm strength (which is already good) and help with durability. Getting some quality experience at the varsity level will also give him much needed game experience. Glen Allen, VA had a really rough season last year.

Kamryn Pettway, RB, Prattville, AL (2014)

Official Size: 6-1, 224

Assets: Pettway is a massive athletic running back. He ran a solid 4.63 40, 4.36 shuttle, and had a 33.5-inch vertical. He also had an impressive 10-3 BJ and benched 155-pounds 29 times. His strong testing performance earned him Combine King honors. But it was his ability to make plays during the one-on-ones that allowed him to win the coveted RB MVP Award. His size and athleticism allow him to project as a running back, H-Back, or linebacker. Pettway recently transferred to Prattville so look for him to have a major breakout season and attract loads of recruiting attention.

Development: Pettway needs to work on using his outside foot to make sharp cuts thus not losing his footing. I would also like to see him work on running with more forward body lean.