News

Mike Farrell
Recruiting Analyst

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The VTO Sports Elite 100 Camp & Combine took place at Mallard Creek High School over the weekend. And despite spring games at both Clemson and South Carolina, plenty of top talent made the trip for the event. Led by Rivals100 cornerback Victor Hampton from Charlotte (N.C.) Independence, the skill positions were well represented. However, there were also plenty of top big men competing hard.

Florida commit Victor Hampton was eager for the opportunity to show his skills.

Hampton, ranked as the No. 58 prospect in the nation and a member of the Rivals100, was a surprise addition to the camp. The cover corner checked in at 5 feet 11 and 173 pounds and was outstanding all day. Despite an early commitment to Florida and little reason to compete and test, Hampton wanted to come out and show what he could do.

"I love things like this, the chance to compete," Hampton said. "It's a chance to get better and also a chance to try to improve myself. I am always striving to improve and I want to get that fifth star. Even though I'm done with the process and committed doesn't mean I stop being a football player and if you love football, you come out to events like this."

Hampton impressed in many ways. He ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, locked down receivers at the event and wowed fellow prospects and the crowd with his change of direction and double moves at wide receiver.

Despite his efforts, Hampton didn't come away with the defensive back MVP honor. As selected by the position coaches at the event, Manning, S.C., cornerback John Fulton, was deemed to be the best of the d-backs. Fulton checked in at 6-1 and 183 pounds and ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash. Fulton played hurt much of the day with an injured left foot that had swollen quite a bit by the end of the one-on-ones. His desire and heart impressed everyone. Like Hampton, he didn't have to come out to the event.

"I have offers from Clemson and South Carolina and I could have gone to one of those Spring Games," he said. "But I can see a game anytime. I want to get better and events like this allow me to. I learn something new everything I go to a camp like this and compete against good players."

In addition to his in-state offers, Fulton also has offers from Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and also mentioned an offer from Florida. He claims no early leaders.

	John Fulton won the defensive back MVP.

Another top defensive back made the trip to the VTO event from South Carolina – a long trip. Coming all the way from Allendale (S.C.) Allendale Fairfax, athlete Bashaud Breeland was also a standout. Breeland plays quarterback in high school but his future is on the defensive side of the ball as a free safety with his length and range. He checked in at 6-1 and 179 pounds and ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash. Breeland has offers from Clemson and South Carolina as well as from Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Maryland, NC State and a recent tender from Michigan. He said he'd like offers from Florida, Alabama and Georgia Tech if he could get them. While he claims no leaders, Clemson appears to be the team to beat.

Other defensive backs who stood out at the event include Columbia (S.C.) Irmo standout Nehemiah Shelley, who ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, posted a 38-inch vertical and was physical in one-on-ones all day and Lawndale (N.C.) Burns safety Keliko Labuauan who was solid in coverage all day.

And at wide receiver and tight end, there were plenty of good-looking prospects who tested the defensive backs. The wide out MVP Award went to Raleigh (N.C.) Sanderson star Matt James. James, who has offers from Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wake Forest, East Carolina and others, was impossible to cover with his 6-foot-6, 194-pound frame. He used excellent body positioning and showed good hands and was too tall for most of the defensive backs. James also ran an impressive 4.6-second 40-yard dash at the event.

Durham (N.C.) Mt. Zion wide receiver Tehvyn Brantley was also outstanding during the one-on-ones and showed off his change-of-direction speed with a 4.19-second shuttle. The 5-foot-9, 167-pounder is very physical for his size and catches everything.

Statesville (N.C.) West Iredell stud P.J. Clyburn was also impressive playing both offense and defense and stood out at wide out. Clyburn, who has offers from Illinois, NC State and East Carolina, projects as a safety at the next level but he showed excellent ball skills as well on offense. He checked in at a solid 6-2 and 203 pounds and ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash.

Others who looked good at wide receiver include Matthews (N.C.) Butler's Nate Charest, Raeford (N.C.) Hoke wide out Vernon Brandon, Charlotte (N.C.) Independence 2011 future star Adrian Gamble, Durham (N.C.) Hillside receiver Mike Brown and Raleigh (N.C.) Wakefield 2011 standout Nigel King.

Tight end MVP Eric MacLain wore the colors of his future team.

At tight end, the clear standout was 2011 star Eric MacLain from Fayetteville (N.C.) Jack Britt who took home the tight end MVP award. MacLain checked in at 6-5 and 267 pounds and was solid muscle. He showed good hands and rare athletic ability for a big man. MacLain is already verbally committed to Tennessee. Another 2011 tight end prospect, Drew Owens from Charlotte (N.C.) Ardrey Kell, looked the part as well. Owens measured 6-6 and 221 pounds and ran a 4.78-second 40-yard dash. He's still raw when it comes to route running, but you can't teach his size and athletic ability.

The Quarterbacks

The quarterback MVP at the event was Chester, S.C., 2011 rising star Tony McNeal who threw a tight spiral and hit receivers with accuracy much of the day. He is thin at 165 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame but he has a whip for an arm and the frame to grow out a bit.

Another 2011 quarterback, Price Litton from Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day, was also impressive. Litton has filled out his frame and improved his arm strength since the last time we saw him at the NUC Ultimate 100 in Atlanta last summer and he's just as accurate. He also has excellent footwork.

Charlotte (N.C.) Independence quarterback Anthony Carrothers checked in at 5-10 and 178 muscled-up pounds and ran an impressive 4.66-second 40-yard dash with a 4.45-second shuttle. He showed off a strong arm and good touch on his passes throughout the day.

Durham (N.C.) Hillside athlete Vad Lee is an impressive looking specimen at 6-3 and 200 pounds. However, his future might be at another position as he's very raw as a quarterback with a hitch in his delivery. He ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at his size so becoming a top-notch wide out or safety at the next level is certainly a possibility. He's also only a 2011 prospect with two years of high school left to develop.

Finally, Southern Pines (N.C.) Pinecrest athlete Bret Toomer worked out at quarterback although his future seems to be as a defensive back or wide receiver. Toomer was one of the best all-around athletes at the event, running a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, a 4.48-second shuttle and posting a 35-inch vertical jump at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds.


In The Trenches

	Offensive tackle Quinton Spain was dominant in one-on-ones.

The offensive-defensive line one-on-ones were the highlight of the event because of the intensity of the combatants.

On the offensive side of things, Petersburg, Va. offensive tackle Quinton Spain was clearly the most impressive prospect. Spain showed up late to the event so no height or weight or testing numbers were taken, but he clearly looked every bit his listed 6-5 and 330 pounds with not much of it bad weight. The West Virginia commitment dominated the one-on-ones, winning almost every battle by using his arms and an aggressive punch so well he knocked most defensive linemen outside the ring where the action was being held. He easily took home the offensive line MVP award.

Other impressive offensive linemen included Chester, S.C., guard Kalon Davis and Tarboro, N.C., tackle Takoby Cofield. Davis checked in at a massive 6-6 and 353 pounds and held his own in the one-on-ones even against much smaller speed rushers. His 5.02-second shuttle time was impressive for such a large prospect. And Cofield checked in at 6-5 and 289 pounds and ran a 5.00-second 40-yard dash. He was also excellent moving his feet and using his arms in one-on-ones.

A few other offensive linemen to note include Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek guard Devin Flowers, Havelock, N.C., tackle Corey Robinson, Fayetteville (N.C.) Douglas Byrd guard Jenard Whitfield and Monroe (N.C.) Piedmont tackle Mitchell Simpson.

On the defensive side of things, Greensboro (N.C.) Western Guilford defensive end DeEric Baldwin came out of nowhere and won the defensive line MVP award. With his 6-foot-2, 240-pound frame and array of pass-rushing moves, Baldwin won nearly every one of his matchups. He has a non-stop motor and a tremendous desire to get better.

In addition to Baldwin, Wadesboro (N.C.) Anson defensive tackle Tra Thomas and Jamestown (N.C.) Ragsdale defensive end Daniel McNeil were also impressive. Thomas is a bit undersized at 6-2 and 274 pounds but this is the second event in North Carolina he's been dominant at in a month. And McNeil has a good 6-foot-3, 245-pound frame with an excellent bull rush.

DeEric Baldwin took home the defensive line MVP.

Columbia (S.C.) Dreher rush end Farrington Huguenin was one of the fastest defensive linemen at the event with a 4.90-second 40-yard dash. At 6-4 and 230 pounds, he's a bit skinny right now but he has a great first step and is explosive.

Linebackers/Running Backs

The two fastest times in the 40-yard dash at the event were posted by running backs as Allendale (S.C.) Allendale Fairfax speedster Jerrell Priester posted a 4.31 and Forest City (S.C.) East Rutherford all-purpose back Tyler Hamilton ran a 4.32. But the running back MVP went to Charlotte (N.C.) Victory Christian standout Nigel Johnson. Johnson posted a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and an identical time in the shuttle. He also jumped 39 inches and was outstanding in drills and one-on-ones.

A few other running backs of note include Tarboro, N.C., back Damarius Harper, Durham (N.C.) Hillside 2011 back Jamaal Williams and Allendale (S.C.) Allendale Fairfax tailback Emmanuel Ochotukpo.

At linebacker, there were co-MVPs named. Charlotte (N.C.) Independence 'backer Timothy Furr might be undersized at 6-1 and 176 pounds, but he can move and was excellent in coverage. And 2011 linebacker Christian Russell from Fayetteville (N.C.) Westover Senior is 6-foot-1 and a solid 208 pounds already with great athleticism.

Other linebackers that stood out include Mount Ulla (N.C.) West Rowan stud Chris Smith who was the most physically impressive at his position and Lenoir (N.C.) Hibriten athlete Darius Lipford who is already committed to Duke. Smith, who has offers from Duke, Virginia and East Carolina, measured in at 6-3 and 227 solid pounds with long arms. He ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash and a 4.47-second shuttle. Lipford is a long athlete at 6-4 and 208 pounds and he has excellent leaping ability, posting a 32-inch vertical.

Another linebacker to keep an eye on is 2011 prospect Stephone Anthony from Wadesboro (N.C.) Anson who checked in at 6-4 and 223 pounds while running a 4.59-second 40-yard dash and showing excellent athleticism. And fellow 2011 linebacker Treshawn Council from Durham (N.C.) Hillside is also a good-looking prospect at 6-1 and 208 pounds with a 4.63-second shuttle.

Special thanks to the folks at VTO for providing the testing information so quickly over a holiday weekend and for putting on an excellent event.