Washington, D.C. - The North and South teams are set for Saturday's Chesapeake Bowl. After two days of practice, here are the top performers heading into the game.
Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peters Prep cornerback Tre Bell
North Top Performers
Tre Bell: The Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peters Prep cornerback showed well on both days of practice leading up to Saturday's Chesapeake Bowl. The Vanderbilt commitment was stuck to receivers on both days and didn't give ground to the bigger receivers fighting for inside position.
Al-Rasheed Benton: The Newark (N.J.) Malcolm X Shabazz linebacker was the heart of the North's defense in Thursday's and Friday's practices. He's a physical 'backer that plays with emotion and a mean streak. West Virginia are going to be pleased with Benton when he arrives in Morgantown.
DeShawn Coleman: West Virginia fans are also going to be pleased with Coleman. The Hermitage (Pa.) Hickory running back has speed and elusiveness that will fit in with what Dana Holgorsen does with the Mountaineers offense. He had North defenders on their heels on both days of practice.
Curtis Cothran: The Newtown (Pa.) Council Rock North defensive end wreaked havoc off the edge on Thursday and Friday. The Penn State commitment showed speed to get to the quarterback on the outside but also an impressive array of moves to get back inside of the offensive tackles that tried to cheat on the outside.
Brian Lemelle: The Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt wide receiver has been the star of the North squad this week. The speedy receiver showed crisp routes, great hands, and was nearly impossible to check in the North's two practices.
Marcell Lazard: The Bloomfield (N.J.) offensive tackle was a fixture with the North's first team at left tackle. The 6-foot-6, 307-pounder passes the eye-ball test but he had solid footwork to match his size and power. Like with Benton and Coleman, West Virginia fans are going to like what Lazard brings to the table.
Shakir Soto: The Wilkes Barre (Pa.) G.A.R. Memorial defensive end didn't stand out in drills, but he shined in 11-on action in the North's practices. Soto, who has already signed with Pitt, was in the backfield with regularity on Thursday and Friday.
Delton Williams: The Erie (Pa.) Cathedral Prep standout stood out on both sides of the ball in the North's practices this week. Williams, who now weighs in at 225-pounds, shined at wide receiver and safety. He plans to play on both side of the ball in college as well.
South Top Performers
Devin Butler: The Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga defensive back has been more than solid throughout the week in pass coverage. Butler, who's committed, to Notre Dame has roomed with fellow Irish commitment Doug Randolph this week. There are high expectations for the four-star two-some in South Bend.
Delando Johnson: The Towson (Md.) Calvert Hall safety has been a steadying force in the South's secondary throughout the week. On Friday, the four-star defensive back returned two inceptions for touchdowns, bring an impressive two days of practice to a close heading into Saturday's game.
Taquan Mizzell: The Virginia Beach (Va.) Bayside running back has been the talk of the South offense for the past two days. Mizzell, who is committed to UVa, has consistently left defenders grasping at air in 7-on and 11-on action, living up this nickname, 'Smoke'.
Andrew Motuapuaka: Although not the highest rated linebacker on the South roster, the Virginia Beach (Va.) Salem defender is one of the most impressive prospects on the field at Georgetown University. The Virginia Tech commitment is up to 225-pounds and has showed a knack for being around the ball for the last two days of practice.
Yannick Ngakoue: The Washington (D.C.) Friendship Academy linebacker has shown exactly why he's been targeted by Miami, Florida State, and South Carolina in addition to Maryland. The four-star 'backer has been one of the more physical defenders in action at Georgetown this week.
Braxton Pfaff: The Lynchburg (Va.) Liberty Christian offensive lineman has been a consistent force at right guard for the South in practices on Thursday and Friday. The Virginia Tech commitment has shown excellent punch and solid footwork despite not being among the highest rated linemen in the Chesapeake Bowl.
Na'ty Rodgers: The Pomfret (Md.) McDonough offensive lineman has worked at left tackle, right tackle, and left guard in the practices leading up to Saturday's game. Rodgers, who is rated four-stars by 247Sports, has more than lived up to his ranking.
Donta Wilkins: The Dumfries (Va.) Potomac defensive tackle has been a havoc causer throughout the week for the South. The four-star UVa commitment has been virtually unblockable in the two days of practice leading up to Saturday's game.
- Jamie Oakes
- Virginia Insider - Wahoos247