The Heel Tough Blog 2019 Scouting Reports series began this season with 2020 4✮ DT commit Kedrick Bingley-Jones and the Providence Day Chargers. On Friday night, Bingley-Jones and the Chargers opened the postseason scouting reports as they played for the NCISAA Division II state championship, searching for the schools first state title in eight years. Let’s breakdown the performance of one of the Tar Heels top commits in the 2020 class on Friday night in a game where he earned his first state title ring.
Bingley-Jones may not have blown anyone away with the stats on Friday night, but he still managed to have a big impact when needed. He finished the game with two total tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry, but he made his most impactful play of the night after a touchdown for Metrolina that pulled them within a point of the Chargers. On the ensuing extra point attempt, Bingley-Jones would barrel his way through the protection up front and swat the extra point down to keep Providence Day in the lead.
His most impressive play of the night was his one tackle for loss. Bingley-Jones simply overpowered the Metrolina right tackle with his right arm, driving the offensive tackle right back into the lap of the quarterback, who was attempting to bail from the pocket. Bingley-Jones wouldn’t let him escape, though, swallowing up the quarterback with his left arm, dropping him for a loss on the play. This was easily one of the most impressive play that I've seen all season while doing the scouting reports.
There was another play from Bingley-Jones that deserves recognition, but this one won’t show up on the stat sheets. Bingley-Jones' athleticism is not talked about as much as some of the other commits in this class, but he was forced to showcase how good of an athlete he is often on Friday night, with Metrolina using screen and swing passes to neutralize the Providence Day pass rush. On a swing play in the second quarter, Bingley-Jones didn’t give up on the play or take an aggressive angle to the football, but instead belined down field, taking an angle where he would have had a chance to catch up with the running back if he had been able to get out in the open field.
That final play that we just highlighted was an example of what was the most impressive aspect of Bingley-Jones game on Friday night. His football smart is extremely encouraging and is a big reason why he’ll have a chance to make an impact early when he arrives to campus. Just like in the opener, Bingley-Jones was more effective in the snaps that he played at the 4i or 5-tech defensive end spot. Bingley-Jones continued to thrive because of his quick release of the line and physical edge that allows him have success off of the edge. Don’t be shocked if this young man is a name you see in the two deep as early as next fall.
There were some other nice performances in this NCISAA Division II championship game that deserved recognition. Ohio State commit Jacolbe Cowan had a solid night on both sides of the football, providing plenty of extra blocking for running back Nickel Fields, who was the star of the game, running for 166 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries. Fields, the brother of former Duke cornerback Bryon Fields, has two offers so far, but could earn more over the offseason, especially with his powerful running style and strong back vision. Providence Day wide receiver Thomas Flynn was also having a big night before he departed in the third quarter with a right leg injury. Metrolina had some standouts, as well, led by big defensive performances from defensive tackle Christian McLemore and defensive end Indiana Moen. The best overall performance of the night, though, for the Warriors came from athlete Jadus Davis, who played a big role at both running back and defensive back.
As of right now the location for next week’s scouting report has not been determined yet. We will allow you, the fans, to decide which of the three matchups below we will go to next week. Will it be Ardrey Kell @ Myers Park to see 2020 4✮ S commit Cameron Roseman-Sinclair and 2020 3✮ ATH Cedric Gray face off, Charlotte Catholic @ Hunter Huss for the meeting between 2021 4✮ S commit Dontavius Nash and 2020 3✮ OG commit Malik McGowan, or our first look at 2020 3✮ WR Ray Rose when him and the South Point Red Raiders head to West Lincoln? Vote below.