Ignite Showcase Notes
By Don Haggard
I moved in and out of position groups Saturday at the Ignite Showcase and here are my observations:
Offensive Linemen
Gimme these linemen all day and all night.
Corey Martinez, 2014, Tampa Catholic: He not only brings physicality on every play but he has that mean streak I look for that he uses to protect his house; then within seconds can bring it down to give a good interview. Earned one of the Offensive Linemen MVP Honors.
Isaiah Wynn, 2014, Lakewood: 2nd straight year earning an OL MVP Honor with both his strength and agility.
Richard Bush, 2014, Plant: Good technique.
Jake Fruhmorgen, 2015, Plant: Lots of upside.
Receivers
Codaryl Pandolfo, 2014, WR, Ridge Community: quick feet and ran some of the smoothest routes in receiving drills and 1-on-1 action. Took home one of the WR MVP honors.
Roderick Burney, 2015, WR/TE, Plant City: claimed the other WR MVP honor. Roderick led a number of Plant City young receivers including Tavares Chase, 2016, WR, which glided effortlessly throught receiving drills; can see how this rising Sophomore had a 24.5 yards reception average as a Freshman.
DarQuez Watson, 2014, TE, Lakewood: quick feet and fluid throughout receiving drills; caught my eye multiple times.
Reggie Campbell, 2015, WR/TE, Largo: has a chance to be special and already has very good hands.
Auden Tate, 2015, WR/TE, Wharton: safe bet he will be a top target for Chase Litton in the fall, very promising.
Also showing promise: Marquel Hines, 2014, WR/TE, Manatee; Jahrvis Davenport, 2015, WR/TE, Robinson.
Quarterbacks
Most impressive sounds at Ignite Showcase were Alex McGough’s and Chase Litton’s throws whistling through the air. Man what arms! McGough, 2014, plays for Gaither and Litton is 2014, QB, at Wharton.
Colby Brown, 2014, Plant: won QB MVP Honors and is promising.
Tyler Kaminski, 2014, Palm Harbor: had some of the best throws of the day, right on the money in tight spots.
Ryan Davis, 2015, Northeast: potential as both a Dual-threat QB and as a Receiver.
Dwayne Lawson, 2015, Hillsborough could be special.
Curtis Fitch, 2014, Steinbrenner: was very accurate.
Other QBs which were promising: Brad Mayes, 2015, Berkeley Prep; Kyle Ploucher, 2014, Tampa Catholic
Running Backs
Keith Harrington, 2014, Northeast: won one of the RB MVP Honors and showed why he rushed for over 10 yards a carry last season.
Michael Duclos, 2015, Robinson: won the other RB MVP Honor and delivered punishing blocks to showcase LBs.
Another back that caught my eye a number of times was Ray Ray McCloud III, 2015, Sickles: moves, receiving ability, very special.
Jaylin Vereen, 2014, RB, Riverview: standout in the broadjump event; played FB last year and will be getting reps at HB in fall. Has high upside.
Jake Carroll, 2014, RB/Returner, Steinbrenner: selected as one of the top 5 backs in the showcase, very versatile.
Defensive Backs
Best CB (MVP) and one of the best standouts at the Showcase Saturday was Cordell Hudson, 2014, Largo. He locked down receivers and may have had the longest broad jump of the day.
Brandon Peters, 2014, Robinson was the Safety MVP just edging out Devin Abraham, 2014, East Lake who also impressed.
Really liked the footwork of Mazzi Wilkins, CB, 2014, Plant.
Other DBs who showed promise: Sydney Adams, CB, 2014, Wharton; Keon Brown, 2014, CB, East Lake; Hassan Bailey, 2014, S, Plant City; Terrance Baldwin, 2014, CB, Robinson and Chavez Pownell, 2014, S, Jefferson.
Linebackers
Last guy we signed into the Ignite showcase Saturday morning was Josh Black, 2014, Sickles and he was well worth it, took home one of the LB MVP Honors.
Andrew Beck, 2014, Plant: could be really good and he was awarded the other LB MVP Honor.
Ethan Thompson, 2014, Clearwater Central Catholic: speedy and was able to get off blocks.
Andrew Fakolade, 2015, King: good use of hands getting off blocks.
Defensive Linemen
Three participants were awarded DL MVP Honors:
Sedrick King, 2014, Plant City; Demetrius Artis, 2015, Seminole; Scott Patchan, 2015, Freedom (Tampa).