Latest news with #JeffMcCulloch
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivals Camp Series: The five best LBs of the 2025 regionals
Jeff McCulloch/ The regional stops of the Rivals Camp Series are in the books with the Rivals Five-Star at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility coming up later this month. Today, we continue our look at the best players at each position through the regional events with the linebackers. Advertisement BEST OF RCS: The five best QBs of the 2025 Rivals Camp Series regionals | Five best RBs | Five best WRs/TEs | Five best OL | Five best DL RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker Jeff McCulloch/ A Louisiana native who wrapped up his junior season without much recruiting traction, Darensburg made the trek to Los Angeles to make a considerable splash at the linebacker spot. The combination of sheer size and power impressed in tight quarters while he also showed he can operate in space while working coverage as well. Advertisement Following the MVP effort, more than a dozen scholarship offers would eventually come in for the late-bloomer. Darensburg eventually made a verbal commitment to South Alabama on June 9. The IMG Academy star worked out at both pass rusher and linebacker during the Atlanta stop of the tour, showcasing grit and overall competitiveness against a loaded field of players. While Forkpa held his own off the edge, he was ultra comfortable at the second level, too powerful for blockers in one setting yet swift and effective while working in coverage. One of the top testers nationally at the position, Forkpa proved it was plenty functional en route to MVP honors near his hometown. Advertisement Those elite traits have Florida, Florida State, Miami, Colorado and others positioning for a potential commitment. Jeff McCulloch/ An elite pass rusher who led the Orlando-area in sacks as a junior, Lafayette has showed more second-level ability as the offseason has rolled on as well. He is plenty capable working off the edge as a third-down specialist, but has shown overall athleticism and lateral ability from an off-ball position as well. The edge talent is so immense a coordinator may not ask for many coverage reps, but the linear speed and physicality Lafayette brings to the table has created a benefit-of-the-doubt with plenty of programs courting his commitment. Advertisement Miami, Oklahoma, Florida and several others are angling for more time from the rising-senior recruit. Jeff McCulloch/ The camp setting isn't the most friendly to the linebacker position, especially in coverage with so much space to operate for running backs on the other side of the ball. Still, Pettijohn pushed against that narrative successfully when it came to that portion of the event. He showcased hip fluidity and comfort in transitioning from one direction to the other, allowing the Texan to make plays against routes both intermediate and deep. Also built to contend in the running game, the balance led to MVP honors at the Dallas RCS stop. Advertisement Pettijohn is hearing from Syracuse and SMU, among others, while adding his most recent offer from Sam Houston State. Jeff McCulloch/ Amid official visits to bluebloods this month, Thomas' name has picked up pace nationally and our staff got that preview at the RCS Dallas stop more than a month ago. The big 'backer stands 6-foot-3 and was once considered more of a pass-rusher, but the camp effort and his subsequent recruitment confirmed a three-down projection. Auburn, Michigan and others have hosted him and Texas is on deck at the end of June.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivals Camp Series: The five best DL of the 2025 regionals
Jeff McCulloch/ The regional stops of the Rivals Camp Series are in the books with the Rivals Five-Star at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility coming up later this month. Today, we continue our look at the best players at each position through the regional events with the defensive linemen. Advertisement BEST OF RCS: The five best QBs of the 2025 Rivals Camp Series regionals | Five best RBs | Five best WRs/TEs | Five best OL CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info JALEN BREWSTER - Dallas Brewster was explosive playing multiple positions on the interior defensive line in Dallas. He was just as effective on the interior as out wide. The four-star prospect plays downhill with strong hands and a high motor. Brewster is bendy and versatile plus provides major pass rush juice from the interior defensive line. Advertisement He's one of the top prospects in the country in the 2027 class with more than 30 scholarship offers. ASHARRI CHARLES - Miami The Venice (Fla.) High School standout has built up his resume as a combo rusher over the years because he's savvy against the pass and stout against the run with a good motor. The ceiling has never looked better for the four-star, especially as he carries more bulk on his 6-foot-3 frame without any signs of slowing down. He won in Miami against fellow Power Four prospects with quickness, including a pretty inside spin move and a smooth dip on the outside, so as the power becomes permanent a full package could soon be at his disposal. JAKE KREUL - Miami Kreul can beat blockers in such a variety of ways. He gets easy early leverage off of the snap because of his elite first-step. That edge bending ability and elite first step has most offensive tackles bailing upon the snap of the ball. Advertisement But Kreul has really progressed with his counter game, overall strength and hand technique. He's the complete package as a pass rusher. JAREYLAN MCCOY - Atlanta McCoy gave opposing tackles in Atlanta fits all day rushing from a two-point stance and also with a hand in the dirt. The Mississippi blue-chipper has length and can win with either speed or power, and continues to build up an array of pass-rush moves to keep tackles off-balance. McCoy had some of the best reps of anyone in the Rivals Camp Series at the DL position. KHARY WILDER - Los Angeles Wilder not only was super impressive in Los Angeles during one-on-one reps using speed and power to his advantage but his measurables were incredible with an 81-inch wingspan. You'll certainly hear about his measurables again once it's his time for the NFL Draft. Advertisement The Gardena (Calif.) Serra product got a major rankings bump after his performance where he displayed speed, power and toughness along with great measurables. And at 6-foot-4 and 256 pounds, Wilder also has a frame where he could easily add 20 more pounds and keep his dominant speed. Ohio State nabbed one of the country's best with him. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivals Camp Series: The five best WRs and TEs of the 2025 regionals
Jeff McCulloch/ The regional stops of the Rivals Camp Series are in the books with the Rivals Five-Star at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility coming up later this month. Today, we continue our look at the best players at each position through the regional events with the receivers and tight ends. Advertisement BEST OF RCS: The five best QBs of the 2025 Rivals Camp Series regionals | Five best RBs CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info KOHEN BROWN - Dallas The recent Texas verbal pushed for MVP honors in Dallas and made a strong case for the honor with his blazing top-end speed to get downfield and outstanding acceleration. Brown also showcased strong hands and explosive route-running skills during positional drills. Advertisement We love Brown's ability to make plays from the perimeter and also in the slot with a versatile skill-set and plus-traits in critical categories. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS FANS AT AARON GREGORY - Atlanta Jeff McCulloch/ Gregory has been one of the crown jewels of Texas A&M's 2026 recruiting class. After turning in a monster junior season for Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County, Gregory has enjoyed a sensational offseason, including a strong showing in Atlanta. The future Aggie has a knack for wow receptions. He's extremely smooth with outstanding polish and the ability to get open. He's a problem for opposing defenses with the ability to work at all different levels of the field. Advertisement SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TEXAS A&M FANS AT JABARI MACK - Dallas Jeff McCulloch/ Mack is committed in-state to LSU and is in line to be one of the next best pass-catchers to come through Death Valley. Playing at 200 pounds, Mack maintains his speed to burn downfield and is a precise route-runner with plus hands, range and after-the-catch ability. The four-star prospect brings explosiveness and physicality to the WR position and was great in Dallas along with a handful of various events this offseason. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH LSU FANS AT KAIDEN PROTHRO - Atlanta Jeff McCulloch/ Advertisement Prothro was almost unguardable and won MVP in a highly competitive field of pass-catchers at the Rivals Camp Series stop in Atlanta. The four-star standout tight end has elite hands and is a mismatch working outside the numbers and in the middle of the field. We love his catch radius, his ability to play above the rim and the competitiveness to win on contested balls and dominate in the red zone. He's a true chess piece for offensive play-callers to take advantages of mismatches across the formation. Georgia is leading the way for Prothro, but Florida and Auburn covet him as well. MADDEN WILLIAMS - Los Angeles Williams was the Wide Receiver MVP in Los Angeles. Another step forward as a route-runner and playmaker with size, speed and toughness to operate outside the numbers, Williams also flashed more polish and won in various contested-catch situations working on the perimeter and back in the middle of the field. Williams also showed the ability to separate against some elite cornerbacks. He's another Texas A&M commit who has taken advantage of a big offseason.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivals Camp Series: The five best QBs of the 2025 regionals
Jeff McCulloch/ The regional stops of the Rivals Camp Series is in the books with the Rivals Five-Star at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility coming up later this month. Today, we look at the best players at each position through the regional events starting with quarterback. Advertisement RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker PEYTON HOUSTON - Dallas Houston showed in Dallas that he has all the traits of an elite quarterback and it's why USC has made him its top priority in the 2027 class and many others, including Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M and LSU, are staying involved. The Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian high four-star is not the biggest quarterback in the world but that's what everyone said about Kyler Murray, Bryce Young and so many others. In today's game, quarterback height is less important than ever before. Houston is a playmaker and even if a camp setting isn't the best for him, the four-star still delivered in a major way. TEDDY JARRARD - Atlanta Over the last few days, Jarrard has visited Purdue, Notre Dame and Clemson and heading into the Atlanta camp he had received offers from Georgia and Ohio State as the 2027 four-star from Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb is one of the hottest quarterbacks in the entire country. Advertisement The ball pops off Jarrard's hand. He has velocity, timing and everything else to back up all the attention he's received on the recruiting trail. The Atlanta Camp was loaded at quarterback and even though Jarrard didn't win the MVP award, he was definitely impressive and one of the best QBs at any Rivals regional camp. JAYCE JOHNSON - Atlanta Jeff McCulloch/ To beat out Teddy Jarrard, North Carolina commit Travis Burgess, Mississippi State pledge Brodie McWhorter and others for the MVP award, Johnson had a phenomenal performance at the Atlanta camp which was one of many this offseason. The 2027 four-star quarterback from Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes was sharp, showed off great arm talent, had a clean motion throughout the event and then seemed to get better and better throughout the camp. It was a close race at the top but Johnson edged out some other elite quarterbacks. RYDER LYONS - Los Angeles The five-star quarterback was fantastic as always at the Los Angeles stop and what's even more impressive is that a camp setting is not where Lyons does his best work. Advertisement The Folsom, Calif., standout sat in the pocket and zipped passes all over the field. He knows when to dial it back a little bit and has such an unreal feel for receivers and immediately having chemistry with them. Lyons is best when he can freelance a little bit, escape pressure and make magic happen and that's not a camp setting but he was still great. Oregon, BYU, Michigan and others continue after him. JAYDEN WADE - Los Angeles Jeff McCulloch/ It's hard to believe that Wade is a 2028 prospect because he has all the tools and is physically developed enough that it wouldn't be a shock to anyone if he reclassified because he doesn't need three more high school seasons. Advertisement He's now the guy at Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy and he should shine because he is a special prospect who will clearly be under five-star consideration. Wade was arguably the best quarterback at the loaded Los Angeles event, which is always so deep at the position. Even still, the 2028 prospect stood out. He has the total package from decision-making to arm talent and beyond. Oregon, Texas and others have already made an impression.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ACC Spotlight: Five programs that need a big June
Jeff McCulloch/ June has become arguably the most important month in the recruiting calendar, with prospects crisscrossing the country on official visits and lining up announcement dates. Rivals national recruiting analyst John Garcia Jr. looks at five ACC programs that need to capitalize in the coming weeks. Advertisement MORE JUNE PREVIEWS: SEC programs that need a big June | Big Ten programs that need a big June | Biggest storylines this weekend CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info CLEMSON More than 30 recruits will trek to Clemson to kick off the official visit season this weekend, and as per usual under Dabo Swinney, it is the combination of top targets and more than a dozen already on board as CU verbal commitments. The Tigers march to the beat of their own drum on the recruiting trail and they have front-loaded visit slates in the past with the hopes of grabbing new commitments and having them shut down the process all in one motion. We wouldn't rule it out this weekend with so much attention in Death Valley. Advertisement Among the elites expected to kick off the month of June include five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson and fellow blue-chippers such as defensive linemen Bryce Perry-Wright, defensive backs Joey O'Brien and Blake Stewart along with offensive linemen Carter Scruggs and Cannon Pickett. Running back Jae Lamar has the Tigers on top heading into his trip while the program looks to make up ground with other elites such as the nation's top interior offensive line projection Darius Gray and NFL legacy Devin Fitgerald, son of legend Larry Fitzgerald. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CLEMSON FANS AT FLORIDA STATE As things currently stand in the ACC, the Seminoles are looking at a ceiling of No. 3 in the conference for the class of 2026 behind Clemson and Miami – two programs ahead of the Seminoles on the field but not always on the recruiting trail. On top of that, Mike Norvell's program is working on serious commitment list maintenance in the month ahead, as most of its top commitments will take multiple official visits to other programs in addition to returning to Tallahassee themselves. Advertisement On the flip side, Florida State is also courting plenty of talent with another logo attached to their name at this time. Several are notable in the month to come relative to proximity to Tallahassee, initial FSU fandom or in some cases both. Cal pass rusher commitment Camron Brooks plays just over the Georgia border and has long been a top target. Oregon defensive back pledge Xavier Lherisse came up with the Seminoles as his team. Mississippi State offensive line pledge Jakobe Green is a Panhandle native just now earning the push from the program he has long felt he deserves. Can the 'Noles win in the flip game? Outside of that element, landing a quarterback has to be a priority and blue-chippers Landon Duckworth and Jaden O'Neal are each scheduled to make the trip. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH FSU FANS AT GEORGIA TECH There won't be a shortage of talent traveling to downtown Atlanta in the coming weeks, many from the metro area itself, and it's great news for a Georgia Tech program sitting with just four verbal commitments entering June. The program has just four pledges on board, a number that has to change in short order to match the momentum many feel around the program's on-field chances heading into the fall. Only Virginia Tech (two) and Wake Forest (one) have a smaller commitment list as May comes to a close. Advertisement GT is set to bring back each verbal pledge during this stretch, but also many Peach State natives currently committed to other programs such as Bubba Frazier (Notre Dame) and Jordan Smith (Georgia). Those on the ascent among the uncommitted, including cornerback Dorian Barney, safety Lasiah Jackson, wide receiver Craig Dandridge, offensive linemen Ben Mubenga as well as Zykie Helton along with tight end Heze Kent, each hold four-stars and in-state addresses to their name as well. Several other blue-chippers will make the trek to Atlanta before the end of next month, too, as will a potential quarterback fit in Louisiana native Cole Bergeron. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH GEORGIA TECH FANS AT MIAMI Nick Lucero/ Advertisement Recruiting success is all relative, right? If so, Miami's push this summer is in hopes of closing the gap Clemson has created thus far in 2026 – one we can see widening sooner rather than later with what CU has on tap this weekend alone. The U has claimed each ACC recruiting crown since Mario Crisrtobal took the head gig at his alma mater and it is in striking distance once more following the commitment of No. 1 overall recruit Jackson Cantwell to headline the month of May. June will be about hitting a certain ceiling for Miami, landing the can't-miss talent close to home combined with national wins against bluebloods can help to close the gap with Clemson and others near the top of the national rankings. More than a dozen blue-chippers will help The U kick off the June slate this weekend, from top two-way lineman Lamar Brown to can't-miss five-star and the No. 1 recruit in South Florida in Derrek Cooper. Among the flip targets Miami will soon host, SEC wide receiver pledges Tristen Keys (LSU) and Vance Spafford (Georgia) are the most fascinating, but prospects currently committed to Texas, Alabama, Auburn and Michigan will also soon see Coral Gables in person. RELATED: Miami's 2026 commitment list SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MIAMI FANS AT NORTH CAROLINA Advertisement Bill Belichick and company have seen the 2026 commitment list boom beyond a dozen with a lot of spring verbal commitments, but the depth of the staff has shown itself in how much talent is still yet to see Chapel Hill for an official visit in the month of June. As we've come to expect under this new staff, geography won't be an issue when looking at potential Tar Heel targets. Just this coming weekend the group will be comprised of natives of seven states, from former Alabama secondary commitment Jamarrion Gordon to two-sport star Adam Balogoun-Ali out of the Sunshine State, Midwest offensive lineman Mason Wilhelm and Colorado native Tripp Skewes. As with the best in the league, North Carolina will look to change the minds of intriguing prospects on board with other programs. Auburn linebacker pledge and top-100 recruit Shadarius Toodle may be the most fascinating, though early official visitor and current blue-chip Ole Miss pledge Izayia Williams may be planning a return trip to Chapel Hill before summer's end as well. Vanderbilt defensive line commitment Daryl Campbell is on the official visit schedule in June as is Georgia junior college pledge Seven Cloud. Prized quarterback Travis Burgess, who just popped for the program, will be back in mid-June along with top pass-catcher target and four-star Jayden Petit out of Southwest Florida. The No. 3 class in the ACC won't be an easy spot to secure, but achieving that status is possible with the talent expected to soon experience Chapel Hill. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH UNC FANS AT
