Under Armour Atlanta: The SI All-American All-22
ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- There was so much future college football talent at the Under Armour All-America Game camp in the Atlanta area on Sunday that SI All-American couldn't limit its look at top performers.
Instead, we'll look back at the camp from a true football standpoint, putting together an All-22 from the top performers, constructing a dream team of competitors who looked and played the part during the one-day event.
[Related: UA Atlanta Recruiting Notebook]
Quarterback (1)
Holden Geriner
This was one of the closer calls between our staff but the Auburn commitment won out because of his consistency all the way through the event, including throwing into the wind during a portion where others on the list struggled in one-on-ones. Geriner is comfortable on the move or in the pocket, but the consistent velocity and accuracy while stationary won out in what was a diverse group of passers.
Under Consideration: Kamari McClellan, Zach Pyron, Raheim Jeter, Tad Hudson
Running Back (2)
Rashod Dubinion, Kam Davis
There wasn't a running back who won more vertical reps down the field Sunday than Dubinion, the Arkansas commitment. He is angular and a strider, but tracks the ball like a wide receiver or center fielder with relative ease. Before that point, his hesitation moves were too much for just about every linebacker -- in a strong crop -- to handle.
Florida State commitment Kam Davis was not only the most well put-together running back in the field, but he was the one who competed with most conviction. A decisive runner, his cuts are razor sharp and he was able to finish at the catch point in every setting. Davis profiles as a churner but looked like a three-down back on this day.
Under Consideration: Quinshon Judkins, Damari Alston, Dicenzo Miller
Wide Receiver (3)
Karmello English, Adam Hopkins , RJ Hamilton
English looks the part and plays it quite well. He was one of the elite prospects who looked better each rep he took, capping the afternoon with big contested wins during one-on-ones. His best rep came along the sidelines on a vertical route, in which the defender tried to stack, so English decelerated, elevated and hauled in a back-shoulder pass while getting two feet down in bounds. English showed some stem physicality at times, too, part of the reason his polish is such a strength at this stage.
As smooth as any wide receiver in attendance, Hopkins embodies the definition of the word competitor. Whether it was the wide receiver gauntlet where Hopkins would catch a pass and move to the next pass with ease, or cutting out of his break and making a catch, Hopkins shined. Overall, Hopkins did three essential items well: catch the ball away from his body, change direction against man coverage, and accelerate to run past defenders.
Not only did Hamilton have the catch of the day (see below), but he went a cool three-for-three during the competition portion of the event. He showed the ability to set up defenders with hesitation and acceleration, with clear ball-tracking skills and strength at the catch point. Coming off of a 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown season at Hoover (Ala.) High School, one wouldn't expect Hamilton to be thinking about another sport. However, he is committed to Vanderbilt baseball and tells SIAA his focus is on the diamond at the moment.
Under Consideration: Jordan Anthony, Jordan Martin, Jarnorris Hopson, Quincy McAdoo,
Tight End (1)
Cole Spence
With the look of a new-age tight end or traditional jumbo wide receiver, Spence won in every way, shape and form Sunday. Through drills he was consistent and displayed strong hands away from his body. Against cover guys, he won with enough quickness at the line of scrimmage and even worked well against off coverage. Spence was too big for corners and too quick for safeties, with minimal wasted movement regardless of route.
Under Consideration: Landen Thomas
Offensive Line (5)
Addison Nichols, Waltclaire Flynne Jr., Maurice Clipper, RyQueze McElderry, Tyler Booker
Nichols was among the offensive line prospects who took the most reps and looked the most technical Sunday. He plays with a wide base and has little issue initiating hand combat against the opposition, touch to beat when a strong anchor is factored in. The only questionable rep he took, his first working tackle after beginning the day inside, wasn't a win was due to over-aggression but he corrected it on the next rep and ran off the speedy edge defender.
The youngest offensive lineman to be recognized by the on-side staff was well-earned in Flynn's case. The interior prospect is just a freshman at Loganville (Ga.) Grayson but the first impression Sunday will create buzz for years to come. He showed great lateral quickness and enough leverage power to contend with older power rushers. Flynn even posted a rusher with one hand and created some frustration along the way.
'Mo' Clipper was another offensive line prospect we didn't see lose a rep on Sunday. The Milton (Ga.) prospect looks like a potential future swing prospect with great length and movement skill. Clipper lined up inside and won despite a major size disadvantage against his initial assignment and secured another win with his initial punch and inside grip strength.
If there was an award for best rep in the trenches Sunday, McElderry would have snatched it up. Working against Under Armour All-American and Georgia commitment Tyree West very early on, he absorbed a club attempt and countered with leverage and power en route to getting the future Bulldog to the turf -- and he let him know about it. McElderry won the previous rep against West with lateral movement and satisfactory extension.
Booker dealt with as much opposing talent as any blocker Sunday and he handled it relatively well. While working at left tackle, he was beat inside by Kelby Collins before returning the favor. He then shifted inside and looked even more comfortable, somewhat easily dispatching the assignment to close out the performance.
Under Consideration: Eston Harris, Jonathan Hughley, Nick Williams, Cason Henry
Defensive Line (4)
Walter Nolen, Lebbeus Overton, Kelby Collins, Mykel Williams
Nolen had all eyes on him from the moment he pulled up to the Denmark High facility and he didn't disappoint at any juncture. Physically impressive with a wide and filled-out frame, the Tennessean brought the power in one-on-ones and quickness through the drills, leaving little doubt about his status among the nation's top overall prospects.
There was quite a bit of hype regarding Overton coming into Under Armour, and he’s certainly a great prospect that’s earned his reputation. On the hoof, he surpasses the eye test with ease. In drills, he changed direction extremely well, and showed good flexibility. During his one-on-one reps, Overton proved he’s an intelligent player. He made a great underneath club-rip move during the first match up. Immediately after, he countered his first move by going outside the offensive tackle by using a slap move to knock down the offensive tackle’s hands.
Collins came in looking like he packed on good weight, but still moved like an edge talent against elite competition. He set up Tyler Booker with an outside stem and won underneath with power before splitting their second head-to-head rep. At this juncture he looks like a true inside-out threat, the type of defensive lineman who doesn't come off the field.
A very long legged player, Williams showed his excellent change of direction skills during bag drills and one-on-one competition. With his power, size and hand use, he’s definitely a threat as a run stopper as well. Williams also showed off the athletic prowess to be a true every down college player during one-on-one drills.
Under Consideration: Kavion Henderson, Cartize Booth, Keldric Faulk, Tyree West, CJ Madden
Linebacker (2)
Joshua Josephs, Dee Crayton
Length. Joshua Josephs wasn't the most technically sound linebacker Sunday but he made as many plays as anyone at the position with his instincts, closing speed and a wingspan. There were several reps in which the running back created some separation but by the time the ball arrived, Josephs was there to make the play. The margin for error with him is simply wider than most, so when the technique catches up to the rangy prospect, watch out.
Performing on his home field at Denmark, Crayton looked quite comfortable in the most one-sided of drills in the setting. He covers like a nickel or safety more than a linebacker, maintaining leverage, turning when cushion breaks down and driving on the ball without panicking or proving over-aggressive. The 2023 prospect moves effortlessly, yet still has room to fill out.
Under Consideration: Jaylon Sneed, Jaiden Ausberry, T.J. Dudley
Defensive Back (5)
Kayin Lee, AJ Harris, Emory Floyd, Kody Jones, Jace Arnold
Lee has great length and pairs it with an explosiveness that makes accuracy that much more critical for the passer. He closes well, can stack with ease and showed some strength at the catch point. As he fills out and becomes more comfortable with physicality, his game will begin to come together further.
It’s rare for a player that’s physically suited to play boundary cornerback to also be able to change direction and run like a field cornerback, but that certainly defines Harris. A big-time athlete first and foremost, Harris is really hard to throw passes beyond his reach and he’s really fast as well. Even when trailing a wide receiver, Harris flashed the speed to not only make the distance, but also make an interception. For the day, Harris recorded two interceptions and a pass deflection during one-on-ones.
Floyd has great length but showed he can win without relying on winning at the line of scrimmage Sunday, running well and showing great technique along the way. Against one vertical, he turned and stacked the opponent to perfection along the sideline for an incompletion. During another win, he read at 45 degrees before transitioning and screaming downhill for a pass breakup.
Jones is a versatile defensive back who can line up throughout a secondary (or even on offense) and the Michigan commitment was perhaps the best defender at the line of scrimmage Sunday. He is truly comfortable in re-routing the opponent and he has the speed and strength to compete even when things don't go his way.
Arnold won with technique and grit throughout Sunday afternoon, often against bigger pass catchers. His backpedal is among the most fluid in the field and he transitions out of it with a purpose (and with speed). Even when a rep wasn't successful, it didn't run through without Arnold in position to make a play.
Under Consideration: Michael Daugherty, Audavion Collins,
Matt Ray, Brooks Austin, Brian Smith and Dale Dowden contributed to this feature. Video by Justin Nichols.
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