’09 Randy Shannon Football Camp Recap
Allen Hurns Carol City High
The annual Randy Shannon football camp took place this past weekend and many of the local stars and hopefuls made appearances to show their stuff. Not to be outdone were a number of players from out of the area who also attended and competed at the camp.
A number of players made huge splashes and none more than 2010 Carol City High School wide receiver Allen Hurns. Hurns drew interest early when he clocked 40 times in the range of 4.41 and 4.45. However, he did not stop there. Hurns ran precise routes, proved to be tough to keep up with and even when he was covered, Hurns would take the ball away from the poor defensive backs who drew the task of covering him. Hurns’ performance was so loud that he was offered a scholarship by the UM staff. A couple of other receivers turned in strong performances and put their names on the map.
Everglades High School’s (2010) wide receiver Courtney Lester was an unstoppable force on the last day of the camp after being solid all weekend. Lester caught everything coming his way, showed great body control and made some great moves with the ball after the catch. He owned the 7-on-7 sessions on Monday.
American Heritage, Plantation’s Marken Michel also left an impression with solid route running, great hands and toughness. The junior to be put himself on the map with his stand out performance and took home the camp’s most outstanding wide receiver award.
From the defensive back category, Jeremy Cash tried his hand at safety and performed quite well. Cash has primarily been a linebacker but his size, strength and speed led to a try at safety where he performed well enough to take home top defensive back honors. Cash is a definite 2011 prospect to follow. Killian cornerback Michael Hall showed that Richard Leonard is not the only show in town in the Cougars’ defensive backfield. Hall made some good plays in 1-on-1 coverage, showed great bump and run skills and was a general nuisance to the offense. Coral Springs Charter’s Antoine Tharp was solid all weekend and turned in a strong enough performance to nab the overall outstanding camp performer award.
Appearances by Pace High School’s Stephen Morris, Gulliver Prep’s Michael Strauss and Northwestern’s Teddy Bridgewater highlighted the quarterback play. Morris displayed his big arm on several long balls. Strauss made his reads and put the ball where it needed to be. Bridgewater did not do much while he was there but his presence was noted by many.
Nature Coast High School’s 2010 running back Tevin Drake took home the most prestigious honor of Top Overall Performer at the Camp. Drake is a well put together athlete who showed good hands and solid route running coming out of the backfield. Drake already as an offer from the Hurricanes. Though he was there for only one day, Killian’s DeAndre Mann turned some heads with his amazing quickness and precision cuts. Mann also caught the ball well in 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 situations. I believe Mann will have a big season this year coming out of Lamar Miller’s shadow. One of the more talked about backs was American Heritage Plantation’s Sony Michel. The 5’11 180lb prospect will be entering the 8th grade this Fall but looks every bit of a man. Michel ripped off a 4.47 forty to force many to ask again, “what grade is he going to?” Sony, like his brother Marken, will be a player to watch this football season. Sony was voted the most outstanding running back at the camp.
I did not spend much time with the TE’s but one thing was clear, Nature Coast Tech’s Braddie Ellison is a man. The 6’2″ Ellison dominated in 1-on-1′s and 7-on-7 sessions by being quick off the line and displaying soft hands. He is extremely athletic for his size and that was apparent to everyone. This would explain why he walked away with The Outstanding Tight End award. Nature Coast Tech’s entire program is something to keep your eye on this 2009 season.
