Friedman’s Takeaways: WR Depth On Show At Rivals Camp Collection 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 a few of the takeaways from the camp:

The day began off with a bang due to the offensive line group. Three gamers may have simply gained MVP however Pierre Dean got here away with the No. 1 spot. The 2026 North Carolina native may play deal with or guard on the subsequent degree, however any faculty coach can be comfortable to have at both spot. With little or no dangerous weight on his body, Dean was nonetheless capable of toss guys round and appeared to take pleasure in ending off his blocks. Darius Grey and Jayvon McFadden confirmed off glorious method taking part in each deal with and guard all through the session. Every of them got here away with gold ball awards.

Desmond Inexperienced 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 have the ability to dominate in a setting like this. It gained’t be shocking to see his supply sheet proceed to develop primarily based off of the bodily traits we have been capable of 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 due to stable method or excellent bodily traits with loads of room for improvement.

We had actually excessive hopes for the line of defense group and lots of of them did shine at numerous factors within the camp, however only a few of them have been capable of have constant success. Aiden Harris has grown an inch or two and slimmed down since his final in-person analysis however nonetheless maintained his power and quickness. He made it pretty simple 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 robust palms and nice go speeding expertise. He was capable of shock offensive linemen together with his power 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 shocked many by coming away with a gold ball award.

Zion Elee made the journey from Maryland after taking within the Ohio State spring sport 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 degree, however he wants extra expertise in opposition to stable go blockers in order that he’s able to contribute when he arrives in faculty. Bodily, Elee is already the scale of a faculty participant and he has loads of time to develop from a technical perspective.

Be certain 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 in the course of the one-on-one session due to their bodily instruments and aggressive type.

One of many prime storylines within the 2026 class is the race for No. 1 working again within the Rivals250. High ranked working again Savion Hiter made the journey from Virginia and really practically got here away with the MVP award. The sleek and robust ball provider 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, nonetheless, narrowly gained the MVP award after hauling in a number of robust 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 improvement is one thing to keep watch over because the recruiting course of rolls on.

Choosing a Defensive Again MVP was essentially the most tough race to name on Sunday due to 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 glorious performs on a constant foundation due to their method, physicality, and skill to get their palms on the ball, however there have been numerous different defensive backs who may’ve simply earned these awards.

Samari Matthews, one of many top-ranked prospects within the 2026 class, had a superb day in protection. He was capable of power 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 introduced tough matchups for the receivers. Every of them brings above common peak 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 prime defensive backs on Sunday. His excellent velocity and elevated muscle mass helped him cowl large receivers utilizing a variety of methods and strategies. Woodby might not have had as a lot success as he would’ve preferred, however he was nonetheless capable of power 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 simple to see why every of them has pretty prolonged supply 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 convey excellent velocity to the sector and ranging kinds of route working. Bolder had a knack for profitable reps down the sector and developing with acrobatic catches. McAfee might have been one of the best route runner of the three and had loads of spotlight performs as properly. Carter is the smallest of the three however he’s very robust 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 seemed to be 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 working strategies.

Developing from Florida, Kenyon Alston is a bodily imposing receiver who understands easy methods to create separation by sharp cuts and did an excellent 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 by stable working strategies.