(Here's a link to the front page story, which includes photos and video links to some of the players noted.) https://northcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1774501
CHAPEL HILL – Spirit and competition were strong themes during Thursday’s football camp at North Carolina. A healthy handful of talented wide receivers and defensive backs battled hard as camp wound down, perhaps making it the most entertaining day of the week so far.
Heavy competition was inevitable with the sheer number of receivers and DBs present, but when UNC offer Kevin (K.J.) Stepherson arrived a bit late, it was on, and the kids didn’t disappoint.
Also on hand were some other interesting prospects, including quarterback Avery McCall and linebacker Elysee Mbem-Bosse, both of whom have offers from the Tar Heels.
There were 90 campers in attendance Friday, with Florida leading the way again with 35 kids. The breakdown by state is as follows: Florida 35; North Carolina 25; Georgia 10; Alabama 7; Maryland 5; West Virginia 2; and 1 each from Virginia, Arizona, Nebraska, South Carolina, Massachusetts, and Ohio.
Here is a look at some prospects that stood out Friday:
*Kevin (KJ) Stepherson (6-1, 180, 2016) was a little late but he was certainly a welcomed addition to the camp and to any football-loving eyes. The kid is an athlete clearly in the mold of a wide receiver. He doesn’t look like a football player per se, more like a track runner with definition. One might say fashion welcomes him more than most football players.
As an athlete, Stepherson glides. He is smooth, he has a gift that stands out as soon as he does anything athletic. He just has that it factor. Stepherson actually dropped a few balls, one time prompting UNC head coach Larry Fedora to offer some instruction, which ended with both the coach and player laughing. Otherwise, the young man has wonderful hands and made some outstanding catches, including on balls many of his peers never would have grabbed.
*As natural as Stepherson is and carries that classic WR look, Adarius Wesley (6-0, 194, 2016) from Jefferson Davis HS in Alabama carries a different look but was as impressive a performer. Nobody made more difficult receptions, and Wesley carried himself like one of those players who will literally do whatever is asked to win.
He’s strong, built more like a running back, but he ran excellent routes, made really impressive cuts, and used his strength one time to get open from tight coverage. He doesn’t have many big offers, but if Friday was any indication, he may get some this summer. The young man was impressive.
*Kashon Baker (5-6, 160, 2016) from Farmville Central HS (NC) had some really nice moments Friday. He’s small but plays bigger and he’s tough as nails. He fought off a defender for a couple of grabs, and which you might expect given his size, he’s fast and runs solid routes.
*Orlando, FL, defensive back Cycoby Burch was on hand. With a UNC offer in his pocket, Burch made an impression in the competition portion of camp when he covered KJ Stepherson quite well. Burch (2016) is 5-10 ½, 183 and plays at least that big. He’s sort of thick and looks like a strong safety in the making.
*Durham (NC) Hillside HS defensive back Ridge Ford had some quality moments, including an amazing interception on a play in which he displayed every skill you want in a DB: First, the coverage was there – quickness, speed and focus – then he had great vision, anticipated well, broke at the exact time, and then with very good hands made the play.
*UNC offer Avery McCall, a 2016 quarterback from Dillon, SC, was on hand displaying his fairly refined skills. McCall (5-11, 204) isn’t tall, but he throws a nice ball, using a fluid, easy motion and delivery, and he was on target more often than the other 10 signal callers here Friday. McCall got some instructions from current UNC starting QB Marquise Williams, and also a couple of words from Williams’ primary backup, Mitch Trubiskey.
McCall is thick and built more like a running back, but that’s a good thing seeing that he’s a dual-threat QB.
*Chancellor Johnson (6-5, 217, 2016) is almost the complete opposite of McCall. A pro-style QB, he’s long, lean and has a certain snap to his throws. The Newnan HS (GA) prospect was intriguing to watch, because there’s something there, but it’s hard to see him running a spread offense.
*Elysee Mbem-Bossee (6-1, 221, 2016) has been offered by pretty much everyone, including the Tar Heels, and it was rather easy to see why. The Cedar Grove HS (GA) product is built like a linebacker, is a mega-athlete, moves well, fast and quick, and did well in the drills even though he fell once. But most kids fall at least once here.
Mbem-Bossee definitely has that football thing going on. The term “heat seeking missile” is what I came away with after watching him closely in various drills. If he’s not a punishing tackler I’d be really surprised.
*Among the running backs in attendance, Darrynton Evans (5-9, 173, 2016) had enough moments he was easy to keep tabs on. The New Smyrna Beach HS (FL) prospect has really quick feet, very good balance, runs low, and worked out with excellent energy. He doesn’t have many major offers, but he certainly gave the impression Friday he’s worthy.
*Of note, the son of former NFL running back Olandis Gary - Olandis Gary Jr. - was on hand. A 2018 defensive back, he definitely looked like a prospect in the making. At 6-0 and 181, Gary, who plays for Bullis Prep in Maryland, will get bigger. Keep an eye on him.
*Incoming HS freshman Cameron Davis (5-4, 156, North Stanley HS (NC), caught my eye, not just because he’s a 2019 kid, but he has a maturity about him already that’s impressive. He looks a bit older in the face, but he also already has some nice skills – quick feet, balance, etc – and carried himself older than someone who still has a ways to go before he can drive.
*The other 2019 kids here today: DB Jaleel McRae (5-10, 185, New Smyrna Beach HS, FL); DL Carlos Clark (6-0, 274, North Stanley HS, NC); and WR Omari Porter (5-11, 143, Northwood HS, NC).
CHAPEL HILL – Spirit and competition were strong themes during Thursday’s football camp at North Carolina. A healthy handful of talented wide receivers and defensive backs battled hard as camp wound down, perhaps making it the most entertaining day of the week so far.
Heavy competition was inevitable with the sheer number of receivers and DBs present, but when UNC offer Kevin (K.J.) Stepherson arrived a bit late, it was on, and the kids didn’t disappoint.
Also on hand were some other interesting prospects, including quarterback Avery McCall and linebacker Elysee Mbem-Bosse, both of whom have offers from the Tar Heels.
There were 90 campers in attendance Friday, with Florida leading the way again with 35 kids. The breakdown by state is as follows: Florida 35; North Carolina 25; Georgia 10; Alabama 7; Maryland 5; West Virginia 2; and 1 each from Virginia, Arizona, Nebraska, South Carolina, Massachusetts, and Ohio.
Here is a look at some prospects that stood out Friday:
*Kevin (KJ) Stepherson (6-1, 180, 2016) was a little late but he was certainly a welcomed addition to the camp and to any football-loving eyes. The kid is an athlete clearly in the mold of a wide receiver. He doesn’t look like a football player per se, more like a track runner with definition. One might say fashion welcomes him more than most football players.
As an athlete, Stepherson glides. He is smooth, he has a gift that stands out as soon as he does anything athletic. He just has that it factor. Stepherson actually dropped a few balls, one time prompting UNC head coach Larry Fedora to offer some instruction, which ended with both the coach and player laughing. Otherwise, the young man has wonderful hands and made some outstanding catches, including on balls many of his peers never would have grabbed.
*As natural as Stepherson is and carries that classic WR look, Adarius Wesley (6-0, 194, 2016) from Jefferson Davis HS in Alabama carries a different look but was as impressive a performer. Nobody made more difficult receptions, and Wesley carried himself like one of those players who will literally do whatever is asked to win.
He’s strong, built more like a running back, but he ran excellent routes, made really impressive cuts, and used his strength one time to get open from tight coverage. He doesn’t have many big offers, but if Friday was any indication, he may get some this summer. The young man was impressive.
*Kashon Baker (5-6, 160, 2016) from Farmville Central HS (NC) had some really nice moments Friday. He’s small but plays bigger and he’s tough as nails. He fought off a defender for a couple of grabs, and which you might expect given his size, he’s fast and runs solid routes.
*Orlando, FL, defensive back Cycoby Burch was on hand. With a UNC offer in his pocket, Burch made an impression in the competition portion of camp when he covered KJ Stepherson quite well. Burch (2016) is 5-10 ½, 183 and plays at least that big. He’s sort of thick and looks like a strong safety in the making.
*Durham (NC) Hillside HS defensive back Ridge Ford had some quality moments, including an amazing interception on a play in which he displayed every skill you want in a DB: First, the coverage was there – quickness, speed and focus – then he had great vision, anticipated well, broke at the exact time, and then with very good hands made the play.
*UNC offer Avery McCall, a 2016 quarterback from Dillon, SC, was on hand displaying his fairly refined skills. McCall (5-11, 204) isn’t tall, but he throws a nice ball, using a fluid, easy motion and delivery, and he was on target more often than the other 10 signal callers here Friday. McCall got some instructions from current UNC starting QB Marquise Williams, and also a couple of words from Williams’ primary backup, Mitch Trubiskey.
McCall is thick and built more like a running back, but that’s a good thing seeing that he’s a dual-threat QB.
*Chancellor Johnson (6-5, 217, 2016) is almost the complete opposite of McCall. A pro-style QB, he’s long, lean and has a certain snap to his throws. The Newnan HS (GA) prospect was intriguing to watch, because there’s something there, but it’s hard to see him running a spread offense.
*Elysee Mbem-Bossee (6-1, 221, 2016) has been offered by pretty much everyone, including the Tar Heels, and it was rather easy to see why. The Cedar Grove HS (GA) product is built like a linebacker, is a mega-athlete, moves well, fast and quick, and did well in the drills even though he fell once. But most kids fall at least once here.
Mbem-Bossee definitely has that football thing going on. The term “heat seeking missile” is what I came away with after watching him closely in various drills. If he’s not a punishing tackler I’d be really surprised.
*Among the running backs in attendance, Darrynton Evans (5-9, 173, 2016) had enough moments he was easy to keep tabs on. The New Smyrna Beach HS (FL) prospect has really quick feet, very good balance, runs low, and worked out with excellent energy. He doesn’t have many major offers, but he certainly gave the impression Friday he’s worthy.
*Of note, the son of former NFL running back Olandis Gary - Olandis Gary Jr. - was on hand. A 2018 defensive back, he definitely looked like a prospect in the making. At 6-0 and 181, Gary, who plays for Bullis Prep in Maryland, will get bigger. Keep an eye on him.
*Incoming HS freshman Cameron Davis (5-4, 156, North Stanley HS (NC), caught my eye, not just because he’s a 2019 kid, but he has a maturity about him already that’s impressive. He looks a bit older in the face, but he also already has some nice skills – quick feet, balance, etc – and carried himself older than someone who still has a ways to go before he can drive.
*The other 2019 kids here today: DB Jaleel McRae (5-10, 185, New Smyrna Beach HS, FL); DL Carlos Clark (6-0, 274, North Stanley HS, NC); and WR Omari Porter (5-11, 143, Northwood HS, NC).
