Friedman’s Takeaways: WR Depth On Display At Rivals Camp Series Charlotte

FORT MILL, S.C. – The Rivals Camp Collection spent the weekend within the Charlotte space and the hungry athletes within the Mid-Atlantic took benefit of the chance. The Carolinas, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland and all the way in which as much as Connecticut, was represented by a deep group of individuals. Let’s look into among the takeaways from the camp:

The day began off with a bang because of the offensive line group. Three gamers might have simply received MVP however Pierre Dean got here away with the No. 1 spot. The 2026 North Carolina native might play deal with or guard on the subsequent stage, however any faculty coach could be blissful to have at both spot. With little or no dangerous weight on his body, Dean was nonetheless in a position to toss guys round and appeared to take pleasure in ending off his blocks. Darius Gray and Jayvon McFadden confirmed off wonderful approach taking part in each deal with and guard all through the session. Every of them got here away with gold ball awards.

Desmond Green has the look of a participant who ought to be ranked within the Rivals250. The 2026 guard from South Carolina is a highway grader on the inside of the offensive line and as he develops his go blocking expertise he ought to be capable of dominate in a setting like this. It received’t be shocking to see his provide sheet proceed to develop primarily based off of the bodily traits we have been in a position to see on Sunday.

Kenneth McManus, Jadian Shabazz and Zion Guiles ought to proceed to see extra faculty curiosity and extra provides as the method continues. Every of them shined in their very own proper because of stable approach or excellent bodily traits with loads of room for growth.

We had actually excessive hopes for the line of defense group and plenty of of them did shine at numerous factors within the camp, however only a few of them have been in a position to have constant success. Aiden Harris has grown an inch or two and slimmed down since his final in-person analysis however nonetheless maintained his energy and quickness. He made it pretty straightforward to determine who ought to win the Defensive Line MVP award. South Carolina commit Anthony Addison was a late addition to the camp roster, however he made essentially the most of his alternative and got here away with the gold ball award. The sting rusher has actually sturdy palms and nice go speeding expertise. He was in a position to shock offensive linemen together with his energy and understood easy methods to use his athleticism to his benefit to get into the backfield.

Kayden Bennett wasn’t one of many favorites to win an award previous to the camp, however he wasn’t completely off the radar both. The youthful brother of Michigan defensive lineman Kechaun Bennett, Kayden has a really comparable construct at this stage of his recruitment, however he packs a much bigger punch and understands easy methods to play a extra bodily and aggressive type. All the way in which from Connecticut, Bennett made essentially the most of his alternative and stunned many by coming away with a gold ball award.

Zion Elee made the journey from Maryland after taking within the Ohio State spring recreation and the 2026 Rivals250 defensive finish confirmed what we thought after watching his sophomore movie. He has all of the bodily instruments to dominate on the subsequent stage, however he wants extra expertise towards stable go blockers in order that he’s able to contribute when he arrives in faculty. Bodily, Elee is already the dimensions of a faculty participant and he has loads of time to develop from a technical perspective.

Be sure that to trace Elijah Littlejon, Zavion Griffin-Haynes, Dominic Basrawala, Jermaine Kinsler, Noah Clark and Yvan Kemajou because the recruiting course of rolls on. Every of them shined at numerous moments through the one-on-one session because of their bodily instruments and aggressive type.

One of many high storylines within the 2026 class is the race for No. 1 operating again within the Rivals250. High ranked operating again Savion Hiter made the journey from Virginia and really practically got here away with the MVP award. The graceful and robust ball service shined in and go blocking drills, footwork drills, and had constant success throughout one-on-ones, whatever the route or linebacker who he was matched up with. Jaylen McGill, nevertheless, narrowly received the MVP award after hauling in a number of powerful catches throughout one-on-ones. He was additionally very stable throughout footwork and go blocking drills. McGills appeared to glide on the sector equally to Hiter. Each backs will proceed to be extremely rated within the 2026 class and their continued growth is one thing to regulate because the recruiting course of rolls on.

Choosing a Defensive Again MVP was essentially the most tough race to name on Sunday because of the excellent depth on the place. Class of 2026 stand out security Jireh Edwards landed the award carefully adopted by 2026 cornerbacks Camdin Portis and Ramani Burton. These three made wonderful performs on a constant foundation because of their approach, physicality, and skill to get their palms on the ball, however there have been numerous different defensive backs who might’ve simply earned these awards.

Samari Matthews, one of many top-ranked prospects within the 2026 class, had a wonderful day in protection. He was in a position to pressure dangerous throws from quarterbacks on a constant foundation and was in a position to make use of his size and instincts to take receivers out of the play. Additionally within the 2026 class, Andre Clark, Hakim Satterwhite, Julian Peterson and Jordan Thomas offered tough matchups for the receivers. Every of them brings above common top and size to the sector, which makes it very tough for receivers to create any separation.

Ohio State cornerback commit Blake Woodby was additionally one of many high defensive backs on Sunday. His excellent velocity and elevated muscle mass helped him cowl broad receivers utilizing a variety of methods and strategies. Woodby might not have had as a lot success as he would’ve favored, however he was nonetheless in a position to pressure receivers alter their routes and timing due to his elite velocity.

Chamarryus Bomar, Remington Moss, KJ McClain and Jerron Blackwell additionally had their moments. It’s straightforward to see why every of them has pretty prolonged provide sheets.

In a extremely tight race for the Large Receiver MVP award, Je’rel Bolder landed at No. 1 adopted by freshman Myles McAfee and sophomore Dyzier Carter. Every of them carry excellent velocity to the sector and ranging types of route operating. Bolder had a knack for successful reps down the sector and arising with acrobatic catches. McAfee might have been the most effective route runner of the three and had loads of spotlight performs as nicely. Carter is the smallest of the three however he’s very powerful and has velocity to burn.

A trio of standout 2026 receivers from South Carolina every shined numerous moments within the camp. Expectations for Jordon Gidron, Malik Clark and Donovan Murph have been excessive coming into the occasion and every of them placed on a present when their quantity was referred to as. Clark essentially the most bodily imposing of them whereas Gidron is the extra explosive of the group. Murph is a well-rounded receiver with good palms and stable understanding of operating strategies.

Developing from Florida, Kenyon Alston is a bodily imposing receiver who understands easy methods to create separation via sharp cuts and did an incredible job catching the ball away from his physique on a constant foundation. Notre Dame commit Elijah Burress isn’t going to blow anyone away on the hoof however he’s an excellent runner who persistently catches the ball together with his palms and is ready to create separation via stable operating strategies.