**Here are some of my thoughts on the B2G Sports 7-on-7 tournament from over the weekend. These are my observations from Saturday.
**For the second week in a row, Da’Vante Phillips blew me away. His ability to go up and get the ball at its highest point is special and also snatch the ball with his hands away from his body really makes up for his lack of “elite” speed. Phillips made an incredible catch over Tyrek Cole in the back of the end zone where he just manhandled Cole. FSU leads.
**Speaking of Cole, I like him as a prospect, but I don’t think he is anywhere near a 5-star type corner like some (including myself) were making him out to be earlier in the process. He’s still a top-level corner, but he lacks size (strength) and does not have elite speed. Cole does have extremely long arms and elite cover skills.
**I have been one of JaQuan Johnson’s biggest advocates for a few years now, but some have questioned whether or not he would be big or fast enough to sustain is level of play at the next level. I never worried about his athleticism or size, but those critics need to be put to sleep. It is evident that Johnson is putting in major work in the weight room. He has really grown into his frame (says he is weighing 185 now) and wants to get to 190 for his season. His straight-line speed may not blow people away, but his change of direction is elite as well as his instincts. He is always around the football.
**Cavin Ridley (younger brother of Calvin) is a mystery man to most recruiting fans. I’ve mentioned him a few times recently on the site but finally got the chance to speak with him on Saturday. Cavin just transferred to Monarch from Stranahan, which was an expected move as he will now be with his brother and Shawn Burgess-Becker. As most would guess, him and Calvin are planning to play together in college. Cavin seems infatuated with UF and has Miami in the mix as well, but interestingly enough says he has not been in contact with any schools up to this point. There has been talk for months that Calvin Ridley would have to go to prep school instead of playing high school ball next season. There is no absolute confirmation on whether or not that will happen, but the talk from Saturday was that it is still a major possibility. Cavin is in a similar situation where he is older than his 2016 classification and we have been told that his transcripts are even worse off that Calvin’s at this point. The positive is that both have time to correct their situation in the classroom. The interview with Cavin will be up this week.
**A prospect who caught my eye this weekend was Flanagan’s Devin Gil (2016). Gil was playing safety for the Fire and is already a legitimate 6-1, 195. I spoke to Gil and he knows that schools will be looking to move him to linebacker, which he is open to doing. Gil’s frame along with his ball skills and athleticism look like an intriguing combination. He likes Miami a lot and that interview will also be posted this week.
**In some general recruiting news, keep an eye on the name Ben Humphreys from Mater Dei (Ca.). Humphreys (6-3, 210) is a 2015 4-star S/LB prospect who is friends with Brad Kaaya and Kaaya has let the staff know about him. I exchanged messages with Humphreys tonight and he is very interested in Miami. His highlights are impressive - http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1442761/ben-humphreys
**For the second week in a row, Da’Vante Phillips blew me away. His ability to go up and get the ball at its highest point is special and also snatch the ball with his hands away from his body really makes up for his lack of “elite” speed. Phillips made an incredible catch over Tyrek Cole in the back of the end zone where he just manhandled Cole. FSU leads.
**Speaking of Cole, I like him as a prospect, but I don’t think he is anywhere near a 5-star type corner like some (including myself) were making him out to be earlier in the process. He’s still a top-level corner, but he lacks size (strength) and does not have elite speed. Cole does have extremely long arms and elite cover skills.
**I have been one of JaQuan Johnson’s biggest advocates for a few years now, but some have questioned whether or not he would be big or fast enough to sustain is level of play at the next level. I never worried about his athleticism or size, but those critics need to be put to sleep. It is evident that Johnson is putting in major work in the weight room. He has really grown into his frame (says he is weighing 185 now) and wants to get to 190 for his season. His straight-line speed may not blow people away, but his change of direction is elite as well as his instincts. He is always around the football.
**Cavin Ridley (younger brother of Calvin) is a mystery man to most recruiting fans. I’ve mentioned him a few times recently on the site but finally got the chance to speak with him on Saturday. Cavin just transferred to Monarch from Stranahan, which was an expected move as he will now be with his brother and Shawn Burgess-Becker. As most would guess, him and Calvin are planning to play together in college. Cavin seems infatuated with UF and has Miami in the mix as well, but interestingly enough says he has not been in contact with any schools up to this point. There has been talk for months that Calvin Ridley would have to go to prep school instead of playing high school ball next season. There is no absolute confirmation on whether or not that will happen, but the talk from Saturday was that it is still a major possibility. Cavin is in a similar situation where he is older than his 2016 classification and we have been told that his transcripts are even worse off that Calvin’s at this point. The positive is that both have time to correct their situation in the classroom. The interview with Cavin will be up this week.
**A prospect who caught my eye this weekend was Flanagan’s Devin Gil (2016). Gil was playing safety for the Fire and is already a legitimate 6-1, 195. I spoke to Gil and he knows that schools will be looking to move him to linebacker, which he is open to doing. Gil’s frame along with his ball skills and athleticism look like an intriguing combination. He likes Miami a lot and that interview will also be posted this week.
**In some general recruiting news, keep an eye on the name Ben Humphreys from Mater Dei (Ca.). Humphreys (6-3, 210) is a 2015 4-star S/LB prospect who is friends with Brad Kaaya and Kaaya has let the staff know about him. I exchanged messages with Humphreys tonight and he is very interested in Miami. His highlights are impressive - http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1442761/ben-humphreys
