NextGen The Show: Top Performers
CANTON, Ohio - For young prospects looking to test themselves against other top talents from around the country, the NextGen Show at the Hall camp in Canton, Ohio is perhaps the best event in the nation to do that. More than 300 prospects participated on Saturday and Sunday, including several class of 2019 and 2020 prospect who already hold offers. Below is a breakdown of just some of the event's top performers.
WR Taj Jones (2019) - The Sparta (NJ) Pope John product showed promise at the New Jersey Rivals Camp back in the spring and was arguably the best offensive skill player this weekend. Defensive backs struggled with his size and quickness and he caught just about everything thrown his way.
WR/DB Corey Thomas (2019) - The Pittsburgh (Pa.) Serra Catholic product has been known as a wide receiver to this point, but showed impressive range and ball skills at safety as well.
DB NyQuee Hawkins (2019) - The Orange (NJ) product was a lock down corner all weekend. Tremendous instincts and closing speed and the type of competitor college coaches want at that position. Could also play offense at the next level but looks to be a more unique talent on defense.
OL Nicolas Rowan (2019) - Strong and powerful, Rowan was among the most physically imposing prospects at the camp and then dominated his competition throughout the weekend.
DT Faatui Tuitele (2019) - Tuitele made the trip all the way from Hawaii and he made it count with an impressive performance. BYU and Hawaii have already offered Tuitele, who is a strong and explosive interior pass rusher. He should continue to get a ton of looks, even given his location.
WR/ATH Kyshawn King (2020) - Another Sparta (NJ) Pope John product, King has a world of potential at 6-foot-2 (and growing) and 195-pounds. Primary position will be figured out later but wide receiver, flex tight end, outside linebacker, and even defensive end could all be in play with his body type.
DB Quinton Gregory (2020) - The Virginia Beach (Va.) Bishop Sullivan product was one of the most productive defensive backs during 7-on-7 play, recording an impressive interception and breaking up several passes. Gregory showed tremendous closing speed and is a very well built corner for a young prospect.
QB Harrison Bailey (2020) - Bailey already holds approximately half a dozen offers. Bailey has great size and may not be done growing yet but his advanced level of arm strength is probably the biggest reason that the Marietta (Ga.) product is already becoming a national recruit.
QB Robby Ashford (2020) - The Hoover (Ala.) product showed tremendous accuracy throughout the weekend, whether it was spotting the deep ball, throwing the deep out, or splitting defenders in the red zone. Very live arm and can really spin it.
RB Mike Drennen (2020) - Drennen continued his impressive month of June with another strong performance this weekend, backing up good showings at Sound Mind Sound Body and a recent Ohio State one-day camp. Drennen catches the ball well out of the backfield and has the speed and quickness to make him a heavily recruited prospect down the road.
LB Shiloh Means (2020) - Indianapolis (Ind.) Cathedral is one of the Midwest's top programs and will continue to churn out major talent in the coming years. Means runs well at 6-foot, 180-pounds and has the athleticism to project to a few different positions moving forward. But with athletic outside linebackers that can cover being in such high demand, that could certainly be his ticket.
LB/ATH Ikaika Ragsdale (2020) - Ragsdale has time to figure out his future position, which will depend largely on how much he grows. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound prospect has good speed, length, and versatility. Playing at powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas should only help his development.
DT Dane Middlebrook (2020) - Built like a pure nose tackle, Middlebrook proved to be light on his feet and agile for his size but still brought the strength you'd expect from a prospect that is pushing 300-pounds.