Elite 11 Atlanta/NFTC preview

More than 50 prospects with BCS offers are expected to converge at Buford High School near Atlanta this weekend for Friday evening’s Elite 11 regional quarterback camp and Saturday morning’s Nike Football Training Camp.

Butler (N.C.)'s Riley Ferguson won quarterback MVP honors a year ago.

And that doesn’t include the invariable collection of prospects yet to garner the exposure or be in position to nab an offer following camps and evaluation this spring and summer.

The Elite 11 field is highlighted by Georgia commitment Brice Ramsey (Camden County/Kingsland, Ga.), ranked as the nation’s No. 83 overall prospect by 247Sports.

But it’s a deep field, with one of the more compelling storylines being the unofficial competition for top North Carolina quarterback between Riley Ferguson (Butler/Matthews, N.C.) and Connor Mitch (Wakefield/Raleigh, N.C.). Ferguson was the top passer regardless of class at last year’s Elite 11 in Athens, Ga., and has a track record of thriving at these events. Yet Mitch has made it evident through Twitter that he feels he belongs at the top of the state’s list.

Other significant 2013 participants include Brayden Scott (Sequoyah, Okla.), Kyle Kempt (Washington, Ohio), Vanderbilt commitment Johnathon McCrary (Cedar Grove/Cedar Grove, Ga.), UCLA commitment Eddie Printz (Lassiter/Marietta, Ga.) and Anthony Jennings (Marietta, Marietta, Ga.).

Last year’s weekend unveiled eventual Auburn quarterback signee Jonathan Wallace, and there’s a strong cast of candidates to perhaps fill BCS needs this year.

Several lower-radar prospects include tall B.J. Beecher (Concord/Concord, N.C.), Parker McLeod (Walton, Ga.), Keenan Wise (Locust Grove/Locust Grove, Ga.) and Taylor Lamb (Calhoun/Calhoun, Ga.).

To that end, while last year’s field was defined by the underclassmen showcase, this year’s crop of 2014 prospects is equally relevant.

Clemson dual-threat commitment Deshaun Watson (Gainesville/Gainesville, Ga.) earmarks a cast of talent sure to have staying power on the recruiting radar.

The microscope will also focus on, among others, strong-armed Tyler Harris (Pierce County/Blackshear, Ga.), ECU offer Will Grier (Davidson Day/Davidson, N.C.), a pair of tall talents in D.J. Gillins (Eagle’s View Academy/Jacksonville, Fla.) and Elijah Staley (Wheeler/ Marietta, Ga.), legacy B.J. Nagle (Briarcrest Christian/Memphis, Tenn.) and Shuler Bentley (Byrnes/Duncan, S.C.), brother of Rutgers quarterback Chas Dodd.

Saturday’s NFTC camp field simply has too many significant expected competitors to list.

But we’ll try.

Among the highest-profile prospects (excluding many of the aforementioned quarterbacks) include coveted corner Brendan Langley (Kell/Marietta, Ga.); Georgia defensive back commitments Shaq Wiggins (Sandy Creek/Tyrone, Ga.) and Tray Matthews (Newnan/Newnan, Ga.); Alabama receiver commitment Deon Johnson (Spanish Fort/Spanish Fort, Ala.); running back Alvin Kamara (Norcross/Norcross, Ga.); Auburn linebacker commitments Trey Johnson (Central Gwinnett) and Paul Davis (Cairo/Cairo, Ga.); offensive tackles Delando Crooks (Carver/Columbus), Shamire DeVine (Tri-Cities/Duluth, Ga.), Alan Knott (Sandy Creek/Tyrone, Ga.) and Devondre Seymour (North Gwinnett/Suwanee, Ga.); UNC safety commitment Donnie Miles (North Gwinnett/Suwanee, Ga.); South Carolina linebacker commitment Kight Dallas (Decatur/Decatur, Ga.); Alabama offensive tackle commitment Bradley Bozeman (Handley/Roanoke, Ala.) 2014 linebacker Raekwon McMillan (Liberty County/Hinesville, Ga.); Georgia receiver commitment Kyrin Priester (Brookwood/Snellville, Ga.); four-star receivers Isaiah Jones (Milton/Milton, Fla.), Ryan Jenkins (Lassiter/Marietta, Ga.) and Jarren Johnson (Jackson/Jackson, Ala.); tight end Arshad Jackson (Lovejoy/Lovejoy, Ga.); defensive tackles Jay Woods (Jackson) and Domonique Threatt (Tri-Cities/Duluth); Clemson running back commitment Wayne Gallman (Grayson/Loganville, Ga.) and tight end commitment Jordan Leggett (Navarre/Navarre, Fla.); four-star athlete Jason Smith (McGill-Toolen/Mobile, Ala.); 2014 receivers Bo Scarborough (Northridge/Northridge, Ala.) and Artavis Scott (East Lake/Fla.) and 2014 offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (Peachtree Ridge/Atlanta).