Prospects shine at THEOLDCOACH combine
With many attending their first invitational only varsity-level combine, there were more than a 100 prospects ready to put themselves on recruiting radars at THEOLDCOACH.com's Ultimate Combine on Saturday in Coppell.
Combine MVP Cameron Napoleon of Duncanville showed his athleticism as a potential shutdown cornerback for the Class of 2011.
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Arlington Sam Houston quarterback Jamal Turner re-enforced his status as a fast-rising prospect as the Top 2011 performer at the camp while linebacker Aaron De LaTorre of Nacogdoches was named the Top 2012 performer.
Napoleon shined as a defensive back in the afternoon position drills with his quick change of directions and bursts of speed.
"I felt really comfortable out there," Napolean said. "The drills we ran were just like we run a Duncanville. It was like a good practice."
Napolean played junior varsity for the Panthers last season but will move up to contend for a starting spot in the secondary in what is expected to be another strong, district-title contending Duncanville squad in its second year under coach Jeff Dicus.
The 5-8 Napolean has offensive skills as a receiver but Duncanville and he played both ways in combine. He's got such good leaping ability and agility that even at his size he plays goalie for Duncanville's junior varsity soccer team.
Duncanville sophomore running backs Stephon Lanigan and Chris Simpson also shined at THEOLDCOACH combine.
Lanigan was named the combine's top running back while Simpson played nine games on Duncanville's varsity last season and rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns.
Duncanville also returns sophomore Divian Ealy, who was elevated to varsity with an injury midway through the season.
Sam Houston's Turner (6-1, 170) rolled up big numbers as the Texans' starter last season. He threw for 2,611 yards and 21 TDs and rushed for 442 yards. Turner popped a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
He's a good quarterback prospect as a speedy dual threat, but Turner's speed makes him a prospect at several positions.
Sam Houston sophomore Kameel Jackson showed the camp why he could have 54 catches for 761 yards and seven TDs as a starter last season. The 6-2 Jackson was named the combine's top receiver. Another Class of 2011 varsity player for Sam Houston was Tony Morales and he was named the top offensive lineman.
Nacogdoches freshman De La Torre showed great feet, instincts and change-of-direction as the Top 2012 prospect. His dad is Stephen F. Austin assistant coach Aaron De LaTorre, who had an NFL career with the Cowboys and Steelers.
There were co-quarterbacks of the camp and the recepients could be more different. Daingferfield's 5-7 sophomore Tyler Boyd showed athleticism but also great accuracy and arm strength throwing on a windy day. In the Class of 2011, Boyd starred for Daingerfield last year as a Class 2A second-team all-state selection for the Texas Sportswriter Association.
Sharing the award was 6-5 Lone Oak sophomore Cooper Jones, who showed a cannon arm and mobility. Jones has spent time as receiver but will start rising quickly as a fulltime quarterback... Other promising quarterbacks were Pittsburg sophomore quarterback Mitch Manley, Coppell's Jack Rhoades and Kerrville Tivy's Johnny Manziel
Camp Awards
MVP
Cameron Napolean, Duncanville '11
Top 2011 Performer
Jamal Turner, Arlington Sam Houston '11
Top 2012 Performer
Aaron De LaTorre, Nacogdoches '12
Top Defensive Lineman
Patrick Alonzo, Lake Dallas '11
Top Offensive Lineman
Tony Morales, Arlington Sam Houston '11
Top Linebacker
Jordan Davis South Garland '11
Top Running back
Stephon Lanigan, Duncanville '11
Top Defensive back
Kolbi Nixon, Mansfield Summit '12
Top Wide Receiver
Kaleem Jackson, Arlington Sam Houston '11
Top Quarterback
Tyler Boyd, Daingerfield '11
Top Quarterback
Cooper Jones, Lone Oak '11