Under Armour Atlanta Helps Provide Exposure for Two Wide Receivers
New names emerged from Under Armour Atlanta that not many people knew about. That’s one of the prime reasons that the Under Armour camp series is a vital part of the evaluation and recruiting process.
Going into the Atlanta Under Armour event, everyone knew that Walter Nolen was a stud prospect. The same can be said for Tyler Booker and AJ Harris, amongst many others. Film and personal evaluations do not lie. What’s interesting about the camp, however, would be the new names that emerged and prospects that elevated their status.
The Under Armour camp series always brings about star players, but it also opens the eyes of the media to players that did not yet receive the attention they deserve. While several players from this year’s Atlanta Under Armour event took advantage of the exposure, here are two players that personally caught my eye, as well as other members of SI All-American, to gain the respect they deserve.
RJ Hamilton, Slot, 5-10, 170, Hoover (Ala.) High School - 2023
After accumulating 40 receptions for 767 yards as a sophomore, one would think Hamilton would be a major target for college football programs. Well, Hamilton is committed to an SEC program, but it’s for baseball.
Despite Hamilton’s exploits on the diamond, he’s an electric slot receiver prospect on the gridiron. Could he eventually switch over and play college football instead? Based upon Hamilton’s Under Armour performance, he could play for any college football program in the country.
Hamilton showed excellent burst out of his cuts, timed his moves in accordance with the routes that kept defenders guessing, and displayed soft hands. When this young man hit the gas he consistently left defenders behind him. One-on-one rep after one-on-one rep, Hamilton beat his man deep. He was not just catching passes, he was putting on a show that included several touchdown receptions. Hamilton is a true weapon that deserves national attention moving forward.
As for recruiting, it will be interesting to see if the junior to be decides to consider playing college football. He’s locked in with Vanderbilt right now, but there’s no telling what he might decide to do if he receives several football scholarship offers.
Wyatt Sullivan, WR, 6-5, 205, Tallahassee (Fla.) Munroe - 2022
After transferring from Buford (Ga.) High School, not many people knew about Sullivan. Well, I’ve seen him play three times now -- twice during seven on seven and Under Armour -- and he’s the big-bodied wide receiver that gives defensive backs fits. From what he’s done thus far this spring, Sullivan consistently catches jump balls and contested passes with his long reach and athleticism. One cannot teach Sullivan’s long and muscular 6'5" frame.
Further, he has a gear that many long receivers do not hit. During the Atlanta Under Armour camp, Sullivan even had big-time cornerback AJ Harris beat during a post route only to see the ball underthrown and Harris come up with the pick. Any wide receiver playing on the level of Harris, even if for one repetition, is one to watch. Harris is a special player and earned Defensive MVP for a reason.
Sullivan certainly needs refinement, but he’s a prospect that many schools are likely to monitor moving forward. It will not be long before Sullivan’s offer list grows beyond the one offer he has from Florida A&M.
Final Thoughts
Hamilton and Sullivan are but two of the players that shined with limited or practically no national media exposure. There were certainly others as well, like 2024 quarterback Kamari McClellan from Oxford (Ala.) High School, who won quarterback MVP honors and few people knew that much about. Additionally, 2023 cornerback Kayin Lee from Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove, who certainly had some offers heading into the event, but will see increased recruiting because of his performance against top competition.
That’s what an Under Armour camp can do. It allows media members, and eventually college coaches, to see numerous players at the same time and compete against one another. That’s an excellent opportunity to evaluate prospects against similar talent levels. This year’s Atlanta Under Armour camp did not disappoint with its stars, and it also opened some eyes with really talented under the radar prospects as well.
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