Top Performers from the Power 5 Exposure Camp
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. -- This past weekend, several players impressed at the Power 5 Exposure Camp in central Florida.
Combines are a big part of the current recruiting scene. There are a plethora of players that are competing for exposure and opportunity. At Sunday’s Power 5 Exposure Camp, held at West Orange High School just outside Orlando, several big-time talents showed up and showed out.
While just a preliminary list, here are a few takeaways from the players that came to compete.
Derrick Leblanc, DE, 6'4.5", 254, Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola - 2023
One of the things that anyone can applaud Leblanc for would be his persistence. He holds numerous Power 5 offers already, yet this young man still showed up and did one-on-ones when most top prospects would simply hang out and watch.
And there's a good reason for why Leblanc earned those offers. Blessed with a wingspan of 81 inches (6'9"), Leblanc’s long lower body matches well with his long arms. When he lines up at an outside seven technique, in true pass rush mode, he’s an imposing player.
While an edge rusher, Leblanc showed he can use a power bull rush as well. Coupled with that bull rush was Leblanc’s best move of the day. Starting out like he was going to bull rush once again, Leblanc quickly came off his first inside step and chopped down on the offensive tackle’s outside arm with his inside hand. After gaining the outside leverage he sought, Leblanc finished off the play with a rip move to get past the offensive tackle en route to the quarterback.
Plays like that one are why programs like Ohio State, Alabama, Miami, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Georgia offered scholarships to Leblanc already. A really humble young man, Leblanc is a player with an incredibly high ceiling.
TJ Shanahan, OL, 6'5", 300, Orlando (Fla.) Timber Creek - 2023
For you old school football fans, Shanahan fits the bill. Pure power; Shanahan is a bull in a china shop. What makes him a special player, however, would be Shanahan’s quick feet to go along with his massive frame.
Playing against multiple pass rushers, Shanahan showed the ability to play left tackle with a solid kick step, and an even better “punch” to slow down each pass rusher he faced. This is where the old school fans will love Shanahan’s game.
Even during a pass set, Shanahan showed tremendous power. He’s one of the most physical players in the country, and his punch allows him to offset most pass rush moves almost instantaneously. Now the question of position comes into play.
Going into yesterday, I believed Shanahan would be best served as an offensive guard. After watching him move his feet as a left tackle, Shanahan’s stock took another uptick. Shanahan’s offer list is already massive, with programs like Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, LSU and Notre Dame just being a few of the programs coming after him.
Josiah Robinson, LB, 5'10.5", 198, Apopka (Fla.) - 2022
Apopka needs no introduction as a program, and Robinson is helping to keep the Blue Darters’ tradition going strong. A very athletic and fluid athlete, Robinson patrols from sideline to sideline for Apopka, and he’s not just a run defender.
One of Robinson’s best attributes would be his ability to run, then plant his foot in the ground, and change direction. He’s not your usual weak side linebacker. He can cover massive amounts of ground like a defensive back.
Robinson’s recruitment is just now starting to heat up, as he earned an offer from Marshall on March 19th. Marshall was Robinson’s second offer, with the first offer being Troy on February 1st.
Considering Robinson’s physical abilities, including running an electronic 4.45-second 40-yard at the camp Sunday, more offers are probably headed his way.
Brendan Flakes, DE, 6'3.5", 255, Lake Minneola (Fla.) - 2022
One of the rising seniors in central Florida would be Flakes. A tireless worker that’s put on really good weight over the last year, he’s increased his speed while adding size. Flakes finished his forty-yard dash with an impressive 4.75-second time.
During drills, Flakes showed a perseverance that was as good as any player attending the event. He wanted to dominate every one-on-one repetition, and he wanted to do so in convincing fashion.
Blessed with very quick feet, Flakes has already adapted to being more than just a power player or finesse edge rusher. He will use counter moves with his hands to keep offensive tackles guessing, and he’s strong enough to go with a traditional club-rip move and get home to the quarterback.
Flakes’ recruitment has picked up major steam in recent months, and he boasts offers from several Ivy League schools, as well as Marshall, Temple, Navy and Western Michigan. Look for that list to expand in the very near future.
There were several other talented college prospects in attendance this weekend, including but not limited to some of the following players: quarterback CJ Brooks, Orlando (Olympia); defensive lineman Kaven Call, Apopka; defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, Orlando (Ocoee); offensive lineman Darius Polite, Orlando (Evans); offensive lineman Chrisdasson Saint-Jean, Orlando (Evans); defensive end Nick Campbell, Lake Minneola; cornerback Javan Robinson, Winter Garden (West Orange); cornerback Tony Newsome, Winter Garden (West Orange); wide receiver Asaad Waseem, Winter Garden (West Orange); defensive back Jordan Castell, Winter Garden (West Orange); defensive tackle John Walker, Kissimmee (Osceola); defensive end Zane Durant, Lake Nona; offensive lineman Payton Kirkland, Orlando (Dr. Phillips); running back Cedric Baxter, Orlando (Edgewater).
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