BCP E7 Warner Training Camp powered by C4 Performance Gear
***Before you read the following, our observations are not limited to the names below. More will be released during the week***
What’s better than attending a ‘Baller Convention’ on a beautiful spring Saturday in the heart of Florida? The 2014 E7Warner Training Camp in Lake Wales flipped the stage lights and started drawing the curtains back to reveal the next wave of talent that is to be unleashed on gridirons across the Suncoast and Tampa Bay Area for the next 2-3 years. The effort, along with the will to compete was there; and most importantly, there were young men feeling like they got better while others began to believe they WERE better. Perspective over premise however, so before we anoint dudes that haven’t earned much “yet”, let’s get into the highlights of this one particular day and then let the chips fall where they may.
OFFENSE: Offensive Lineman
Let’s start with the unheralded, yet always most valuable fellas in the trenches. Once the beasts of the buffet decided to pull up a chair and eat, these young men started to show why it all starts up front.
Winter Haven’s Romello Sekura (2015) tipped the scales at 302lbs and at 6-1 can play actually on both sides. Sekura showed his natural strength in the individual stations along with his ability to be coached up. There appeared at one point to be a solar eclipse during the OL/DL drills however it was just Weeki Wachee’s Israel Cardona. The 2016 prospect checked-in at 6-2, 347lbs., brought his lunch pale and hard-hat to the event and was showing during the Tug of War that if you believe you’re going to get leverage easily on him, than you should probably reconsider your approach. All-in-all the group was full of players that should and will be major reasons for their teams’ success.
OFFENSE: Running Backs
Nearly too many to count, but these young men definitely got the chance to show a little bit of separation from the rest. The 2016 tandem from Auburndale of Jessie Britt (5-8, 166) and Artavis Pierce (5-10, 184) were carrying the torch for Polk County. Britt’s performance had plenty of coaches confirming with their mouths what their eyes and jaw-drops were showing; and that he’s a legit D-1 prospect. Other guys catching looks in individuals or 7v7 were Durant’s Jalen Forte (5-6, 160) and Weeki Wachee’s Shawn O’ Gorman (5-7, 161) both from the class of 2016. O’Gorman & Forte were especially crisp in their route-running. Some guys you might want to check back-in sooner, rather than later on as well: Lennard’s 2015 Joshua Shelman (5-11, 225), and East Lake’s 2016 Anthony Battani (6-0, 161).
OFFENSE: Wide Receivers
“WHO CAN MAKE A PLAY?!? I CAN!!!…” Some guy named Terrell Owens once said that; and there’s no other way to describe what these guys were doing out on the field in 1v1’s, individuals, and 7v7’s. Actually one of the best WR’s was a tight end. Sickles’ Dante Tedesco (2015) used his size (6-3, 226) to gain leverage on the smaller DB’s and showed soft hands as well in traffic. Other guys making plays at the position were a pair of 2015’s from Sunlake in Zach Faulkner (5-11, 160) and Naejuan Jackson (5-7, 161) along Fivay’s Tenton Soto, a 5-11, 187lb. class of 2015 prospect. Robinson’s Jahrvis Davenport and Wiregrass Ranch receiver Mark Hutchinson blew the top off the event. Monster Day for both!
QBs up next!
– Doug Pugh