Big, big day at NIU on Saturday. The Huskies hosted 48 teams for 7on7 and then just under 300 linemen for the annual Big Dawg camp. What mnakes this camp a challenge to cover is just the sheer amount of kids spread out over several fields at NIU.
My game plan was to spend a majority of the day watching the Linemen since my focus will be more team 7on7 friendly starting later this week and all of July. However I did get a few hours early on to see some teams....below are some impressions and who looked good for this early stage.
Waubonsie Valley- offense looked solid and how does WV always find those taller QB kids every year? I'll see WV a bit more later this summer but overall looked very capable.
Glenbard North- the skills WR/DB could be one of the best in state with the likes of Jace James (NW) Ty Henderson and Greg Newsome. QB was more than capable and I know the Panthers will still look to run the ball kore than pass but with this speed on hand? Yikes.
Thornton- seemed a bit young and inexperienced at times, yet at other times just had a ton of speed on offense and will provide some really tough matchup issues this season. QB play was solid. HC Dontrell Jackson looks like he could still play for Thornton.
South Elgin- The Storm graduated a ton of skills from a year ago but I liked what little I saw here. Competed hard and has a pretty solid group overall.
DeKalb- the Barbs will no question put up points this season. Standout WR Cole Tucker didn't play (unless you call snapping the ball as playing) yet DeKalb still has weapons. QB Derek Kyler again threw the football well and I still think DeKalb should be one of the teams to beat in the NIB 12
St. Charles North- was missing some kids (common in summer 7on7 various baseball/hoops etc) but overall the North Stars did well. QB Zach Mettetal is a strong player and kids like WR/TE Griffin Hammer are big time targets.
Plainfield North- I seldom get to see the Tigers out much so I was happy to see North here. The Tigers have good size and a ton of athletic kids in the skills. Was up and down when I saw them but the overall upside here was impressive. Not sure on linemen for North but from a skills standpoint alone this team will be one ot watch.
Wheaton South- steady and pretty consistent. Love how Ron Muhitch and staff approaches 7on7...South does a ton of teaching and while they always come to compete they also get more from the teaching stanpoint than many others do.
Sterling- wasn't sure what to expect from the Golden Warriors since QB Sterling Thornton graduated. Happy to say that Sterling threw the football pretty well here at NIU. Won't reinvent the wheels when it comes to it's mainly run attack but at least from a medium to deep pass standpoint Sterling is more than capable in 2016.
Yorkville- liked what I saw here and this was the second time I came away impressed with senior WR Jason Lewan who's at least 6-foot-6 plus kid with good ball skills and length.
Rich Central- I'll see the Olympians later this summer but for now they looked capable in throwing the football. Will watch a bit harder down the road in July.
My game plan was to spend a majority of the day watching the Linemen since my focus will be more team 7on7 friendly starting later this week and all of July. However I did get a few hours early on to see some teams....below are some impressions and who looked good for this early stage.
Waubonsie Valley- offense looked solid and how does WV always find those taller QB kids every year? I'll see WV a bit more later this summer but overall looked very capable.
Glenbard North- the skills WR/DB could be one of the best in state with the likes of Jace James (NW) Ty Henderson and Greg Newsome. QB was more than capable and I know the Panthers will still look to run the ball kore than pass but with this speed on hand? Yikes.
Thornton- seemed a bit young and inexperienced at times, yet at other times just had a ton of speed on offense and will provide some really tough matchup issues this season. QB play was solid. HC Dontrell Jackson looks like he could still play for Thornton.
South Elgin- The Storm graduated a ton of skills from a year ago but I liked what little I saw here. Competed hard and has a pretty solid group overall.
DeKalb- the Barbs will no question put up points this season. Standout WR Cole Tucker didn't play (unless you call snapping the ball as playing) yet DeKalb still has weapons. QB Derek Kyler again threw the football well and I still think DeKalb should be one of the teams to beat in the NIB 12
St. Charles North- was missing some kids (common in summer 7on7 various baseball/hoops etc) but overall the North Stars did well. QB Zach Mettetal is a strong player and kids like WR/TE Griffin Hammer are big time targets.
Plainfield North- I seldom get to see the Tigers out much so I was happy to see North here. The Tigers have good size and a ton of athletic kids in the skills. Was up and down when I saw them but the overall upside here was impressive. Not sure on linemen for North but from a skills standpoint alone this team will be one ot watch.
Wheaton South- steady and pretty consistent. Love how Ron Muhitch and staff approaches 7on7...South does a ton of teaching and while they always come to compete they also get more from the teaching stanpoint than many others do.
Sterling- wasn't sure what to expect from the Golden Warriors since QB Sterling Thornton graduated. Happy to say that Sterling threw the football pretty well here at NIU. Won't reinvent the wheels when it comes to it's mainly run attack but at least from a medium to deep pass standpoint Sterling is more than capable in 2016.
Yorkville- liked what I saw here and this was the second time I came away impressed with senior WR Jason Lewan who's at least 6-foot-6 plus kid with good ball skills and length.
Rich Central- I'll see the Olympians later this summer but for now they looked capable in throwing the football. Will watch a bit harder down the road in July.
