Lots and lots and lots of linemen here on Saturday..I counted close to 300 kids. The positive is that this was by far the biggest showing of any NIU camp I've ever been to and I've been to a few over the years. The negative? Lots of waiting and then the always an issue limited reps complaints etc. Overall NIU I felt managed this pretty well especially when they wound up getting a ton of walkups.
So who stood out? Again at this point of the summer I've seen alot of the 2017 kids multiple times and they are as sick of seeing me as I am of seeing them...kidding....sorta.
Here we go
DE Elijah James Oswego East- been watching James since he was a freshman playing basketball at East. Has all the physical tools and upside but still needs to improve his overall technique, Can be very physical and even dominant at times at the point of attack but also needs to be a bit more consistent. Seems to get down on himself a bit too much and also needs to learn to have a short memory. Overall D1 kid who I feel is worth spending a scholarship on.
OL Max Schumann St. Charles East- liked Max on video and also liked him in person. Needs to also work a bit on technique and feet, can be a bit tight in the legs at times but overall did well here. Had a handful of FCS schools looking hard at him here.
DT Michael Ross Montini- second time seeing Ross and I liked him alot here. Big strong kid who plays OG for the Broncos but Ross worked here as a DT. Great motor, strength and good quickness as well. Wouldn't be shocked to see a NIU/MAC school take a second look at Ross inside on the D line.
OL Sam Thomas Geneseo- second time seeing Thomas but this time around Thomas was much better in his overall pass pro. Thomas, who has a bit more length and size than I first expected I feel would make a very good FCS level OT. Thomas has good feet, moves well is fluid with good bend. Thomas also has good hands and will just add more strength at the next level. Thomas biggest hurdle this summer has been in pass pro and let's be honest the only shotgun you'll find in Geneseo in the fall is on someone's gun rack aka The Leafs just don't throw the ball. Thomas showed well here in one on ones and just seems to get better. Offer this kid someone.
DE Sean Kuhn Yorkville- another strong performer on the camp circuit....has good size and overall tools. Is a bit light right now for the BCS level but I can definitely see Kuhn get more FCS level interest this summer and early fall.
OG Jake Stover St. Rita- I'm tired of watching this kid....seriously can someone just offer him already? Always come to work always wins more than his share of one on ones. Plays hard has strength and just is a player. Better size than many think.
DE Jordan Williams Champaign Centennial- only heard of Williams after he added an offer from Ball State earlier last week. Great size kid (6-foot-4 250 pound range) and is about as athletic as they come. Still needs to add a bit more strength but overall Williams was one of the better overall DE's here. Looks like an NIU type of kid....quick very athletic with a ton of game and upside. Would be shocked if NIU doesn't offer him.
DT Noah Shannon Oswego 2018- was stalemated a bit more here in one on ones than the NCC camp but Shannon more than impressed the coaches. Great hands and power, highly advanced in DT play.Will become a multi offer kid in 2018.
OL Jeremy Jenkins South Elgin- I remember Jenkins fro a season ago but this was my first time seeing him in person. Took a toon of reps in one on ones...lost some won some but kept coming back for more. Is a bit lean for now but has good size/frame and will add more weight down the road. Could be a FCS/D2 caliber kid here.
DE Creo Argue Crete-Monee- another NIU steal type of kid....good length a bit underweight right now as a DE but Creo's overall speed, quickness and athleticism is really, really impressive. Lost some one on ones because he needs to refine his pass rush moves (and more weight/strength will also help). More to follow.
OL Meckah Lester Simeon- seems like I see this same type of kid from Simeon every year. Lester is a tweener physically and positionally looks like more of a TE but is working hard to become a OL. Showed some real positives here...still needs work on his overall technique but will be say a D2 level steal type. Will also add more size and weight at the next level.
More to follow
.
So who stood out? Again at this point of the summer I've seen alot of the 2017 kids multiple times and they are as sick of seeing me as I am of seeing them...kidding....sorta.
Here we go
DE Elijah James Oswego East- been watching James since he was a freshman playing basketball at East. Has all the physical tools and upside but still needs to improve his overall technique, Can be very physical and even dominant at times at the point of attack but also needs to be a bit more consistent. Seems to get down on himself a bit too much and also needs to learn to have a short memory. Overall D1 kid who I feel is worth spending a scholarship on.
OL Max Schumann St. Charles East- liked Max on video and also liked him in person. Needs to also work a bit on technique and feet, can be a bit tight in the legs at times but overall did well here. Had a handful of FCS schools looking hard at him here.
DT Michael Ross Montini- second time seeing Ross and I liked him alot here. Big strong kid who plays OG for the Broncos but Ross worked here as a DT. Great motor, strength and good quickness as well. Wouldn't be shocked to see a NIU/MAC school take a second look at Ross inside on the D line.
OL Sam Thomas Geneseo- second time seeing Thomas but this time around Thomas was much better in his overall pass pro. Thomas, who has a bit more length and size than I first expected I feel would make a very good FCS level OT. Thomas has good feet, moves well is fluid with good bend. Thomas also has good hands and will just add more strength at the next level. Thomas biggest hurdle this summer has been in pass pro and let's be honest the only shotgun you'll find in Geneseo in the fall is on someone's gun rack aka The Leafs just don't throw the ball. Thomas showed well here in one on ones and just seems to get better. Offer this kid someone.
DE Sean Kuhn Yorkville- another strong performer on the camp circuit....has good size and overall tools. Is a bit light right now for the BCS level but I can definitely see Kuhn get more FCS level interest this summer and early fall.
OG Jake Stover St. Rita- I'm tired of watching this kid....seriously can someone just offer him already? Always come to work always wins more than his share of one on ones. Plays hard has strength and just is a player. Better size than many think.
DE Jordan Williams Champaign Centennial- only heard of Williams after he added an offer from Ball State earlier last week. Great size kid (6-foot-4 250 pound range) and is about as athletic as they come. Still needs to add a bit more strength but overall Williams was one of the better overall DE's here. Looks like an NIU type of kid....quick very athletic with a ton of game and upside. Would be shocked if NIU doesn't offer him.
DT Noah Shannon Oswego 2018- was stalemated a bit more here in one on ones than the NCC camp but Shannon more than impressed the coaches. Great hands and power, highly advanced in DT play.Will become a multi offer kid in 2018.
OL Jeremy Jenkins South Elgin- I remember Jenkins fro a season ago but this was my first time seeing him in person. Took a toon of reps in one on ones...lost some won some but kept coming back for more. Is a bit lean for now but has good size/frame and will add more weight down the road. Could be a FCS/D2 caliber kid here.
DE Creo Argue Crete-Monee- another NIU steal type of kid....good length a bit underweight right now as a DE but Creo's overall speed, quickness and athleticism is really, really impressive. Lost some one on ones because he needs to refine his pass rush moves (and more weight/strength will also help). More to follow.
OL Meckah Lester Simeon- seems like I see this same type of kid from Simeon every year. Lester is a tweener physically and positionally looks like more of a TE but is working hard to become a OL. Showed some real positives here...still needs work on his overall technique but will be say a D2 level steal type. Will also add more size and weight at the next level.
More to follow
.
