MATTHEWS, N.C. — The UC Report’s final stop of the spring moved into the Charlotte suburb and gave an opportunity for the top players in the region to compete.
There were a lot of strong performances, but several stood out about the rest at the Sportsplex at Matthews.
ALPHA DOG
WR Noah Rogers — The offensive group was strong, but it was the class of 2023 Polesville (N.C.) High who stood above everyone else. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Rogers took a ton of reps, was quick out of his breaks, showed strong and reliable hands and he caught pass after pass in one-on-ones. His offer list includes Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan State, NC State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, and look for a bunch more to come his way in the next few months. He is the No. 242 in the 247Sports rankings, and he could rise after this performances.
NEXT FIVE OFFENSE
RB George Pettaway — The Suffolk (Va.) Nanesmond-Suffield standout and No. 6 running back in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite showcased his talent in drills and running route. He was clean and crisp during drills and then showed he can catch the ball down the field. He made a beautiful catch on a deep ball in which he first turned to his left and had to adjust and catch the ball over his other shoulder. And he made it look simple. He has official visits set to Michigan and Penn State and unofficials to North Carolina and Virginia. His top 10 also includes Florida, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, Auburn, Alabama and Oregon.
OT Fisher Anderson — The Franklin (Tenn.) High four-star prospect has an ideal build with length while being lean. He bends well and does not waste movement. His body control was excellent and he was technically sound in one-on-ones. He was able to cover the outside and was also in control of the rep. Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Duke, Stanford and North Carolina are all recruiting him heavily.
OT Jacob Hood — Hood, who plays at Nashville (Tenn.) Hillsboro, is massive and moves well. He is pushing 6-8, and he moved well. His length and strength were too much for defensive ends to mount a serious challenge. He was strong with his initial punch, and he was strong beyond the first contact. He was able to move laterally. Going thorough drills, he was able to sink his hips and get low for leverage. He has official visits set for Georgia, Auburn and Miami, and he is looking to set more in the fall.
WR Wesley Grimes — Right behind Rodgers in the receiver group was Grimes, who plays at Raleigh (N.C.) Millbrook. Grimes has size (6-2, 180) and was very good running routes. He flashed time and again and consistently beat defensive backs. He was open over the middle, on deep routes and he attacked the ball in the air. He has official visits set to Duke, Louisville and Wake Forest, and also will either camp at or visit Clemson, Notre Dame and NC State.
OT Ty Chan — The Notre Dame commit from Groton (Mass.) Lawrence Academy has thickness throughout his frame. He was agile and athletic in drills. He lined up at right tackle during the one-on-ones and he was in control. His initial punch was strong and he played with heavy hands. He had the foot speed to cover the edge and also change direction on an inside move. He committed to the Irish in December and remains solid with his decision. He was invited to the Future 50 off his performance.
FIVE ON DEFENSE
DT Jamaal Jarrett — The Greensboro (N.C.) Ben L Smith class of 2023 standout plays on both sides of the ball, but he chose defensive tackle and shined. His frame is big (6-5, 302), and he moves well. He was quick in firing off and his power was evident. He is strong throughout his frame and he showed a swim move and solid technique. He is built to play defensive tackle and be a force inside. His offer list includes Duke, Florida, Georgia Kentucky, NC State, North Carolina, Penn State and Virginia Tech.
ILB Deuce Caldwell– Give the Mauldin (S.C.) High prospect plenty of credit because he competed with a tweaked ankle a day after a spring game for his school. Caldwell could have pulled out, but kept going and going. He was strong in coverage and showed closing speed on passes in the flat. He changed direction well and accelerated down hill. He has official visits set to UCF and North Carolina, and also has Clemson, Baylor and West Virginia among his suitors.
OLB Torren Wright — The Top247 prospect from Kannapolis (N.C.) A L Brown has an ideal frame (6-3, 315) for a high school junior with plenty of room to bulk up. He was athletic in drills and his length showed. His change of direction was good. He was able to cover in one-on-ones and he showed he could stay on the running back’s hip on wheel routes. He has Duke and West Virginia official visits set and also has NC State, Michigan and Kentucky among his suitors.
DL Xzavier McLeod — The class of 2023 Top 50 prospect from Camden (S.C.) High flashed during drills and in the one-on-ones. He fired off quickly at the snap and manipulated his torso to get through a gap. He was agile and athletic. His offer list includes Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisville and South Carolina. He also picked up an invite to the Future 50.
CB Braylon Johnson — The Highland Springs (Va.) High class of 2023 prospect has length and his frame will fill out, but his hip looseness is already there and his feet were quick. He showed he could flip his hips and run with the receiver. As he adds strength, he will be more effective with jams but he showed he could cover down the field and his ball skills were very good. Johnson’s offer list includes Boston College, Maryland, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
AROUND THE COMPLEX
–Cornelius (N.C.) Hough Top247 class of 2023 quarterback Tad Hudson threw some wonderful deep balls. On successive passes he completed beautiful tear drop throws down the left and right sidelines.
–Class of 2023 quarterback Raheim Jeter of Duncan (S.C.) Spartanburg demonstrated a strong arm and a free and easy release.
–Imro (S.C.) Dutch Fork’s Aliam Appler, a class of 2023 quarterback, had a free, easy release and spun the ball well.
–Class of 2023 receiver Chris Lawson Jr. of Cornelius (N.C.) impressed with his reliable hands. He was sharp coming out of his breaks.
–Loganville (Ga.) Grayson safety AJ Lopez was one of the better defensive backs in the one-on-one session. It was tough for receivers to find open space and catch contested balls.
–Jack Luttrell of Dacula (Ga.) Hebron Christian was solid in coverage and showed an ability to explode and close ground down the field. The class of 2023 prospect has a nice frame for the position.
–Top247 receiver Grant Tucker, a 2023 prospect from Charlotte Christian, ran effortlessly and has length. He accelerated out of breaks and consistently got open.
–Maryville (Tenn.) High receiver Markel Fortenberry consistently flashed with his route running and ability to get open. He could earn so Power 5 offer during the June camp period.
–Class of 2023 receiver Keaton Kubecka of Austin (Texas) Westlake ran his routes well and caught everything he got his hands on. He showed body control as well.
–Tight end Jake McTaggart of Hayesville (N.C.) High took advantage of the time to get in a ton of reps and put in a lot of work. He was effective getting out of his breaks.
–Rico Walker is a Top 100 prospect in the 2023 class as a defensive end, but the Hickory (N.C.) High standout played receiver/tight end at the camp. His athleticism stood out but would have loved to see him mixing it up with one-on-ones on the defensive line.
–Class of 2023 Top247 offensive lineman Markee Anderson oozed athleticism in one-on-ones. He needs to continue to develop is technique, but there is a ton to work with for Anderson.
–It was the first time seeing class of 2023 Windsor (Conn.) Loomis Chaffee Top 247 offensive tackle Olaus Alinen live since he arrived from Finland, and he did not disappoint. He competed hard, moved his feet well and showed a lot of strength.
–Loomis Chaffee Brady Wayburn has a host of Ivy League offers and some Group of Five offers, but he could earn some Power 5 ones in June camps. He was strong with his initial punch and his physical approach showed through.
–Greenwood (S.C.) Emerald’s Robby Harrison has size and showed his technique. He used a swim move for success in one-on-ones and looked technically sound.
