Sunday morning, many of the major high school prospects from the Southeast and Virginia headed to Nations Ford High School in Fort Mill, SC for the annual Rivals 3-Stride Camp that comes to the Charlotte-area. Let’s take a look at how some of the Tar Heels commits and major targets performed, as well as a few others that don’t have offers yet, but could jump on the Heels radar after today.
Commits
2020 4✮ S Cameron Roseman-Sinclair- Myers Park (Charlotte, NC)
After last year’s DB MVP award, Roseman-Sinclair came into Sunday’s camp with lofty expectations and he exceeded those once again. Many think he will shine as an in-the-box safety, and while that may end up eventually being his role at the college level, these camps focus on coverage situations, mostly 1-on-1 coverage against wide receivers. Although he does have some tightness in the hips, Roseman-Sinclair continues to show that he has the ability in coverage. His performance on Sunday earned him the DB MVP for the second straight season at the Charlotte regional and also earned him an invite to the Rivals Challenge later this summer.
2020 3✮ OG Malik McGowan- Charlotte Catholic (Charlotte, NC)
McGowan went up against a solid group of defensive lineman on Sunday and had a solid overall showing. In the 1-on-1’s, he put together some really strong reps, including a great battle between himself and 4✮ DT Alex Huntley. McGowan added in a fantastic rep later in the drill against Jaylen Smith, standing him straight up off the snap. While he wasn’t recognized by Rivals for his efforts, McGowan had a really solid day for himself.
2020 3✮ RB Elijah Burris- Mountain Island Charter (Mount Holly, NC)
With the way the Rivals camp was set up and the restrictions that they have on media involvement, it was hard to get a great look at Burris on Sunday. The limited reps that we were able to see from the stands of him, though, showed he has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Still, these camps are not built to showcase Burris’ skill set as much as some of the other players, so there’s not much you can take away from what we saw on Sunday.
Major Target Standouts
2020 4✮ OLB Trenton Simpson- Mallard Creek (Charlotte, NC)
One of the new staff biggest remaining targets in the 2020 class, Simpson officially made the full conversion to linebacker this offseason and tore up the Under Armour camp down in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago and carried that performance over into Sunday camp. Simpson shined in the coverage drills, showcasing just his athleticism and handling his own in coverage against a strong group of running backs and tight ends. His effort landed him with the LB MVP award and invite to the Rivals Challenge later this summer. Simpson will now head to Chapel Hill this Saturday for the Tar Heels spring game.
2021 4✮ WR Kobe Paysour- Kings Mountain (Kings Mountain, NC)
The 2021 prospect may have had the best overall afternoon of any wide receiver in attendance on Sunday. Paysour caught everything thrown his way, shining most when he had to go up and the get the football in traffic. His best catch of the day was a redzone rep where ball was thrown to the front pylon. The ball sailed a bit, but Paysour was able to go up and snatch the ball was also tapping to tally what would have been a remarkable touchdown.
2020 3✮ WDE Quentin Williams- Mallard Creek (Charlotte, NC)
Amongst a loaded group of defensive linemen, Williams may have flew under the radar to some, but he had a strong camp on Sunday. While most defensive ends were focused on winning with strength or finesse moves alone, Williams put his speed on display and was able to blow by the offensive tackles he faced. Williams also had a couple of reps where he was able to showcase his strength. The only thing that would have been nice to see is Williams go through linebacker drills, as he looks like he could be a solid fit at outside linebacker in a 3-4 base. Unfortunately, these camps separate players into specific position groups and don’t have hybrid drills.
2020 4✮ WR Muhsin Muhammad III- Myers Park (Charlotte, NC)
The wide receiver position was the deepest group on the field on Sunday afternoon, but Muhammad was selected as the WR MVP when it was all said and done, and for good reason. Muhammad has maybe the most natural hands of any receiver in the 2020 class and put those on display while catching anything within reach. He once again showed off his fantastic route running, creating separation all day with his ability to change direction so fluidly. Muhammad is on his way to the Rivals Challenge later this summer.
2020 3✮ S Isaiah Fisher-Smith- Page (Greensboro, NC)
As a safety, it’s never the easiest thing to participate in these camps that focus on the 1-on-1 coverage as an outside corner, but Fisher-Smith had a good day on Sunday. Amongst a defensive back group that had some struggles on Sunday, Fisher-Smith was able to close well on the football and also did a great job in 1-on-1 coverage in the redzone.
Honorable Mentions: 2020 4✮ SDE Jacolbe Cowan, 2021 5✮ WR Gavin Blackwell, 2021 4✮ PRO Drake Maye, 2021 UR OT Andrew Canelas, 2021 UR SDE Jahvaree Ritzie
Non-Offers To Keep an Eye On
2021 UR WR Coleman Jeffcoat- Mallard Creek (Charlotte, NC)
Fantastic size and fantastic hands. Can go up and get just about anything, as he did Sunday.
2020 3✮ RB Quasean Holmes- Mallard Creek (Charlotte, NC)
Looks like a straight tank. Was dominant catching the football against a solid linebacking group.
2020 3✮ OC Cooper Mays- Knoxville Catholic (Knoxville, TN)
Dominated the day against the DL1T’s and won OL MVP award.
2021 UR WR Jordan Bly- Myers Park (Charlotte, NC)
The younger Bly showed off his speed and opened some ahead of what should be a breakout season.
2020 3✮ S Jaidyn Denis- Mallard Creek (Charlotte, NC)
Locked down almost every receiver he faced on Sunday. Placed himself on the inside hip every rep to make plays on the ball.
2020 3✮ ATH Stefon Thompson- Vance (Charlotte, NC)
Opened some eyes with his athleticism and ball skills while a part of the linebackers. Strong day in coverage.
2020 3✮ CB Marqui Lowery Jr.- Vance (Charlotte, NC)
Locked down a group of receiver that repeatedly tried to be him across his face. Didn’t have many if any balls caught on him.
2020 3✮ WR Antonio Barber- Hough (Cornelius, NC)
Speed paid divdeneds. Had some fantastic reps even against Roseman-Sinclair.
Honorable Mentions: 2020 UR ATH Darius Bush, 2020 3✮ PRO Navy Shuler, 2021 UR OT Michael Gonzalez, 2021 UR PRO Parish Metzger, 2020 UR DUAL Blair Garner
Quotes
Malik McGowan on Stacy Searls: “Love that guy. That’s my guy.”
Cameron Roseman-Sinclair on Jay Bateman: “He’s so funny, man. Always full of energy.”
Elijah Burris on new staff: “Really like the new guys, but glad to have Coach Gillespie still there.”
Elsewhere
At The Opening regional in New Jersey, 2020 4✮ CB target Keontae Jenkins ran a 4.42 40-yard dash to win the fastest man award for the New Jersey regional. It will be interesting to see him and Tar Heel commit Josh Downs face each other at The Opening finals.