NORWALK, Calif. – The amount of talent on hand at the Nike Football Training Camp over the weekend in southern California made it nearly impossible to see every elite performer but there were a few that were impossible to miss.
Poasi Moala
We take a look at the standouts from Sunday’s camp on the offensive side of the ball.
(ranked in order of performance)
1. Demorea Stringfellow, WR, Rancho Verde – There was no clear choice for top performer on the offensive end at Sunday’s camp but Stringfellow could state as strong of a case as anybody. He was easily the most physically imposing receiver there and though he doesn’t create great separation with speed and quickness, Stringfellow’s body control and quick hands allows him to make catches on balls thrown away from the defensive back rather than at him. Stringfellow could even project to tight end due to his size but he is still elite at wide receiver.
2. Poasi Moala, OT, Rancho Verde – Moala is currently an unknown on the recruiting scene but that won’t last long. He has an athletic frame and he’s got great quickness in his kick step and the athleticism to change directions and block in space. Only around 260 pounds, he needs to add some mass but look for Moala to be one of the real risers on the recruiting trail this spring.
3. Alex Redmond, OT, Los Alamitos – Another lineman with limited recruiting interest to date, Redmond had arguably the best all-around day in the OL/DL one-on-ones. He showed really good feet, confidence in his strength and rarely lost a rep to the defensive line. At 6-4.5, 290 Redmond may end up on the inside long term but he showed a lot of promise on Sunday.
4. Steven Mitchell, WR, Bishop Alemany – With high expectations coming into the event, Mitchell met them and earned the MVP award for the wide receiver group from the Nike staff and he also earned an invite to The Opening. Mitchell showed great quickness in and out of his routes, natural hands and was one of the purist route-runners in attendance.
5. Kendal Keys, WR, Helix – Keys was one of the bigger wide receivers in attendance but even at his size he was able to create separation from defenders and he made some spectacular catches. Keys is not simply a vertical threat. He’s a guy that can work the middle of the field and when it touches his hands, it’s a completion.
6. Nico Falah, OT, St. John Bosco – There are not many offensive linemen on the west coast that are as athletic in a pass set as Falah. He plays with a proud chest, a flat back and very quick feet. He has the reactive quickness to mirror defensive linemen with ease and even smaller speed rushers have a tough time pressing the edge against Falah. Recently Falah added USC to a steadily growing list of major offers.
7. Zachary Green, RB, St. Bonaventure – During pass routes on air and agility drills, Green looked good but hadn’t really separated himself from the rest of the pack. Then came the pass-block one-on-ones and Green dominated the linebackers with great strength and toughness, a competitive attitude and a desire to take on all comers. His domination of that drill and his solid play throughout the rest of the camp earned him the running back MVP award.
8. Harrison Handley, TE, Alta (Utah) – Handley was one of the most unique prospects at the event on Sunday. He currently holds an offer from Utah State and is the type of sleeper that could slip to a program like that and develop into an NFL tight end. He has a legit 6-6 slender frame that looks capable of adding good strong weight. At that size, Handley runs well and changes directions with ease, creating major mismatches with linebackers and safeties.
9. D.J. Martin, RB, Stockdale – One of the more highly-touted running backs in attendance, the Cal commit has a stocky but extremely strong frame. He was aggressive and physical in pass block skills and natural and fluid as a runner and pass catcher. Martin has the look of a kid that can play on every down despite his 5-8 heights.
10. Jordan Robinson, RB, Ayala – The super sleeper offensively, Robinson has very little recruiting interest to date but he should. Robinson competed with the running backs at 5-10, 175 pounds but when he was catching the ball out of the backfield he had receiver skills and movement ability. As an multi-purpose athlete that can line up in different roles, Robsinson has plenty of upside.
- Barton Simmons
- National Recruiting Analyst - 247Sports