Rise and Fire: Sunday’s pass catchers that stood out
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Although Darnell Clay has already touched upon some of the standouts from this past Sunday’s Rise and Fire camp session, there were more than just those that stood out in my mind. I completely agree that Kelly Watson Kelly Watson 5'10"…
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Continue ReadingAlthough Darnell Clay has already touched upon some of the standouts from this past Sunday’s Rise and Fire camp session, there were more than just those that stood out in my mind. I completely agree that Kelly Watson Kelly Watson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB York | 2023 State IL , Eddie Kasper, Julian Turner Julian Turner 5'7" | 160 lbs | WR Maine South | 2024 IL and Malik Armstrong Malik Armstrong 6'2" | 165 lbs | WR Minooka | 2022 State IL were among the best in attendance, so just take a look at a few of their reps below. There were however a few others that stood out to me. (Also take a look at which quarterbacks stood out here)
2023 York RB/WR Kelly Watson Kelly Watson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB York | 2023 State IL (6’ and 180lbs) @Kellywatson_1
Running back @Kellywatson_1 is a matchup nightmare. @ColeTeschner with the pretty deep ball pic.twitter.com/xVjbQjSzqS
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) June 26, 2021
2022 Minooka WR Malik Armstrong Malik Armstrong 6'2" | 165 lbs | WR Minooka | 2022 State IL (6’2 and 165lbs) @_Marmstrong14
Yet another very strong camp showing from @_Marmstrong14 last weekend at @RiseAndFireCamp. @LeiseParker dropping the dime pic.twitter.com/5gdWzHSNUM
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) June 26, 2021
Armstrong is committed to Northern Illinois.
2022 Wheaton Academy WR Eddie Kasper (5’10” and 155lbs) @EddieKasper1
One of the most technically sound WR’s in Illinois 👉🏼 @EddieKasper1. The pass from @DylanGroff2 pic.twitter.com/pafcdS1o3P
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) June 26, 2021
2024 Montini Catholic, Illinois WR Julian Turner Julian Turner 5'7" | 160 lbs | WR Maine South | 2024 IL (5’5” and 155lbs) @_julianturner
Such quick feet by @_julianturner with the connection from teammate @ColeTeschner pic.twitter.com/UGOWSW9ZHU
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) June 26, 2021
2023 Wheaton Warrenville South, Illinois WR Braylen Meredith (6’4” and 175lbs) @BraylenMeredith
Long and athletic, Meredith ran good crisp routes while exhibiting an extremely large catch radius. He’s not a burner, but what he does do well is use his body to shield off defenders to high point the ball.
Really like the frame and athleticism that @BraylenMeredith has pic.twitter.com/lYEAmhUzke
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) June 26, 2021
Meredith showed good hands all day, solid athleticism and a willingness to learn and get better. Really like the ceiling with Meredith.
2023 Simeon, Illinois WR Cameron Ashley Cameron Ashley 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Simeon Career Academy | 2023 State IL (6’ and 155lbs) @chexkboi
Well put tougher even though Ashley doesn’t tip the scales, his frame is solid and he looks the part of a future slot receiver. He ran clean routes, extremely quick in-and-out of his breaks, while often getting defenders on his hip to make plays. Ashley will need to continue to work on his hands a bit, but that will come with more reps. He has very quick feet that allows him to get separation off the line, while running solid routes. I liked what I saw from Eaton and if he carries it into the season, lots of programs will be on him.
2022 Lawrenceburg, Indiana WR Dahya Patel (6’2” and 185lbs) @Dahya_Patel88
Great size and good route running, Patel was one of the better receivers at the camp. He did make a few mental errors where he dropped a few easy passes, but the good outweighed the bad.
First time seeing @Dahya_Patel88 and I was very impressed with his skill set. @LambPryor with the pretty pass pic.twitter.com/ICbAl6ksgV
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) June 26, 2021
Patel runs well for his size, and is a matchup nightmare in goal line situations. He runs his routes well, does a good job of getting separation with his long strides. Patel used his size well to “box out” defenders and high point the ball.
2022 Downers Grove South, Illinois WR Jerry Eaton (5’10” and 160lbs) @JerryE33
Getting a chance to see Eaton again, his game has really improved. Although he may not end up as a full-time receiver, he’s more of a hybrid RB/slot, the skills set is there to make a difference. Quick off the line, Eaton uses his good footwork to get behind defensive backs. He then uses his solid hands to make the catch and can really turn upfield quickly. Eaton is getting overlooked right now because there are so many solid players that play his position, but with a big fall season, teams will start to take notice.
2022 Assumption, Iowa WR Foster Caspers (6’ and 170lbs) @fkc_9
A great frame with room to grow, Caspers ran routes very well and showed off a very good set of hands. He has decent speed, even though he isn’t a burner, he’s got enough to be a problem from defenders. I’m not sure that Caspers will end up as a true receiver, he could be occasionally line up in the backfield as well as being a matchup nightmare in the slot. My first time seeing Caspers, he looked very impressive.