It was easy to miss with so much going on in the Portal and the Playoff, but the Under Armour Game took place yesterday afternoon in DeLand, Florida. This was the first year that both juniors ('26) and seniors ('25) were able to compete together. Numerous Cane targets and commits participated. Below are my thoughts on the game, including non-Canes:
- I wouldn't be surprised if OL SJ Alofaituli (Las Vegas) starts at some point in his true freshman year. Aside from an ugly snap late in the game, he was clean all day and won his share of battles against elite Georgia signee DT Elijah Griffin (Savannah, GA). He played both LG and C, but C is the more natural spot due to his size. Alofaituli has an outstanding combination of flexibility, balance/base, technique, awareness, and quickness to the second level. He wrenched open a TD run (over Griffin) and an 80-yard run by Ohio State commit Anthony Rogers (Montgomery, AL). He is an exceptional center prospect.
- '26 CB J'Vari Flowers (Northwestern) is a must-get player in next year's class. I thought Ben Hanks had the look of a potential first rounder in Dade County last year, and Flowers is following in his footsteps. He made an incredible break on the ball to pick off a KJ Lacy (Texas signee) screen pass, including a juggling catch to finish the play. Elite football speed and a verified 10.4 on the track.
- '26 LB commit Jordan Campbell (Carol City) looked the part of a Top 100 player in next year's class. He took over one series in particular, making back-to-back plays in the red zone where he beat the offense to the sideline. He played WILL and seems like a fit there- long arms, excellent speed, striking ability. He needs to gain some weight, but he has the frame.
- '26 five-star RB target Derek Cooper (Chaminade) started in the backfield and made a nice catch down the sideline, beating Mississippi State '25 commit LB Tyler Lockhart (Kilmichael, MS). He reminds me of Seattle Seahawks RB and Broward County product Kenny McIntosh. Not in terms of running style-- McIntosh was shiftier, Cooper is more upright and fast--but in terms of projection. He can be a very good RB or a great defender. If he insists on playing offense, I'd sell him on the Travis Hunter plan.
- All of the 2026 offensive tackles struggled in the game, which makes sense given their earlier stage of development. Keenyi Pepe (IMG) played the most and is probably the furthest ahead. His teammate '26 DE Jake Kreul (IMG) beat him repeatedly with natural pass rush feel and motor. When Pepe wasn't going against Kreul, he did OK. The difference between him and his predecessor Francis Mauigoa is that Pepe is a little more narrow and underdeveloped in the upper body. When he gets stronger there, he should make huge leaps. He is a good athlete with a strong lower body.
Jackson Cantwell (Nixa, MO) was the backup RT and had some very ugly reps in pass protection. You can tell he barely pass blocks in high school. He has a great frame and elite power in his hands, but didn't really get to show it much in this game. He may need a slow developmental burn before blossoming like Spencer Brown of the Buffalo Bills. I wouldn't rush him to the field. Micah Morris (Vero Beach) got beat all day, but made a nice effort play to steal back the ball from a defender on a fumble.
- Oregon '25 signee WR Dakorien Moore (Dallas, TX) belongs in the same conversation as the freak WRs from last year's class. He reminds me of a shorter Jamarr Chase with his combination of lower-body power and explosiveness. He took a bounced punt to the house and played at a different speed than everyone else.
- Moore's teammate and Alabama '25 signee QB Keelon Russell (Dallas, TX) was the most impressive QB in attendance by far. He's skinny and doesn't have a very good frame to gain weight, but his arm is elastic and he is a smooth operator. He led two TD drives and would've done more if he didn't twist his ankle. Texas '25 signee KJ Lacey (Mobile, AL) is a gamer who lacks tools. He moved the ball but threw two bad picks. In a perfect situation, he can be Bryce Young lite, but will be at a disadvantage physically.
- There was outstanding defensive line talent in the game. Elijah Griffin looks the part of a future first rounder, and '26 DL LSU commit JeReylan McCoy (Tupelo, MS) looked way underrated as 247Sports' 202nd overall player. He dominated and is absolutely enormous. I mentioned Kreul up above, and top-ranked Maryland commit and '26 DE Zion Elee was just as good with his motor and bendy athleticism. He repeatedly beat Micah Morris.
- My favorite player to watch in the game may have been Texas A&M '25 DT signee Landon Rink (Houston, TX). His motor is ridiculous and he is quicker than he gets credit for. He was always around the ball.
- Oklahoma '25 signee OT Michael Fasusi looked like a future pro with elite length and good patience.
- The Florida '25 WR signees Vernell Brown III (Orlando) and Naeshaun Montgomery (Central) both made several catches, and Montgomery celebrated a TD with his trademark back handspring. Dallas Wilson (Tampa) was supposed to play but didn't show up. He will need to be more reliable off the field at the next level.
- I wouldn't be surprised if OL SJ Alofaituli (Las Vegas) starts at some point in his true freshman year. Aside from an ugly snap late in the game, he was clean all day and won his share of battles against elite Georgia signee DT Elijah Griffin (Savannah, GA). He played both LG and C, but C is the more natural spot due to his size. Alofaituli has an outstanding combination of flexibility, balance/base, technique, awareness, and quickness to the second level. He wrenched open a TD run (over Griffin) and an 80-yard run by Ohio State commit Anthony Rogers (Montgomery, AL). He is an exceptional center prospect.
- '26 CB J'Vari Flowers (Northwestern) is a must-get player in next year's class. I thought Ben Hanks had the look of a potential first rounder in Dade County last year, and Flowers is following in his footsteps. He made an incredible break on the ball to pick off a KJ Lacy (Texas signee) screen pass, including a juggling catch to finish the play. Elite football speed and a verified 10.4 on the track.
- '26 LB commit Jordan Campbell (Carol City) looked the part of a Top 100 player in next year's class. He took over one series in particular, making back-to-back plays in the red zone where he beat the offense to the sideline. He played WILL and seems like a fit there- long arms, excellent speed, striking ability. He needs to gain some weight, but he has the frame.
- '26 five-star RB target Derek Cooper (Chaminade) started in the backfield and made a nice catch down the sideline, beating Mississippi State '25 commit LB Tyler Lockhart (Kilmichael, MS). He reminds me of Seattle Seahawks RB and Broward County product Kenny McIntosh. Not in terms of running style-- McIntosh was shiftier, Cooper is more upright and fast--but in terms of projection. He can be a very good RB or a great defender. If he insists on playing offense, I'd sell him on the Travis Hunter plan.
- All of the 2026 offensive tackles struggled in the game, which makes sense given their earlier stage of development. Keenyi Pepe (IMG) played the most and is probably the furthest ahead. His teammate '26 DE Jake Kreul (IMG) beat him repeatedly with natural pass rush feel and motor. When Pepe wasn't going against Kreul, he did OK. The difference between him and his predecessor Francis Mauigoa is that Pepe is a little more narrow and underdeveloped in the upper body. When he gets stronger there, he should make huge leaps. He is a good athlete with a strong lower body.
Jackson Cantwell (Nixa, MO) was the backup RT and had some very ugly reps in pass protection. You can tell he barely pass blocks in high school. He has a great frame and elite power in his hands, but didn't really get to show it much in this game. He may need a slow developmental burn before blossoming like Spencer Brown of the Buffalo Bills. I wouldn't rush him to the field. Micah Morris (Vero Beach) got beat all day, but made a nice effort play to steal back the ball from a defender on a fumble.
- Oregon '25 signee WR Dakorien Moore (Dallas, TX) belongs in the same conversation as the freak WRs from last year's class. He reminds me of a shorter Jamarr Chase with his combination of lower-body power and explosiveness. He took a bounced punt to the house and played at a different speed than everyone else.
- Moore's teammate and Alabama '25 signee QB Keelon Russell (Dallas, TX) was the most impressive QB in attendance by far. He's skinny and doesn't have a very good frame to gain weight, but his arm is elastic and he is a smooth operator. He led two TD drives and would've done more if he didn't twist his ankle. Texas '25 signee KJ Lacey (Mobile, AL) is a gamer who lacks tools. He moved the ball but threw two bad picks. In a perfect situation, he can be Bryce Young lite, but will be at a disadvantage physically.
- There was outstanding defensive line talent in the game. Elijah Griffin looks the part of a future first rounder, and '26 DL LSU commit JeReylan McCoy (Tupelo, MS) looked way underrated as 247Sports' 202nd overall player. He dominated and is absolutely enormous. I mentioned Kreul up above, and top-ranked Maryland commit and '26 DE Zion Elee was just as good with his motor and bendy athleticism. He repeatedly beat Micah Morris.
- My favorite player to watch in the game may have been Texas A&M '25 DT signee Landon Rink (Houston, TX). His motor is ridiculous and he is quicker than he gets credit for. He was always around the ball.
- Oklahoma '25 signee OT Michael Fasusi looked like a future pro with elite length and good patience.
- The Florida '25 WR signees Vernell Brown III (Orlando) and Naeshaun Montgomery (Central) both made several catches, and Montgomery celebrated a TD with his trademark back handspring. Dallas Wilson (Tampa) was supposed to play but didn't show up. He will need to be more reliable off the field at the next level.
