UA Future 50: Levenson’s Takeaways

BRADENTON, Fla. – The Beneath Armour Future 50 camp performed host to 50 of the most effective prospects within the 2026 class. Gamers took half in a modified 7-on-7 match together with a abilities camp that includes place drills and routes on air.

With the camp formally within the books, listed below are the principle takeaways.

*****

MORE FUTURE 50: Recruiting Rumor Mill | Friedman Awards

CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Workforce | Place | State

CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Workforce | Place | State

TRANSFER PORTAL: Full protection | Participant rating | Workforce rating | Switch search | Switch Tracker

*****

There isn’t a query which quarterback did extra for his or her inventory popping out of Future 50 than Greensboro (NC) Grimsley four-star Faizon Brandon. The final time Rivals was in a position to extensively consider Brandon was final August. Since that point, the 6-foot-4 quarterback has added greater than 20 kilos of muscle to his body, now sitting at 197 kilos.

So as to add to that, the arm expertise is elite and the accuracy has been among the many better of the group. He’s mechanically clear and regardless of not being examined a lot with actual coverages, the ball placement has been nice. One other trait that would vault Brandon into elite standing is athleticism that permits him to make correct throws from a wide range of arm slots.

There’ll nonetheless must be a giant have a look at Brandon later this fall to see how his new look physique and ability set match collectively in opposition to dwell competitors. However based mostly on the analysis this weekend, Brandon is due for a major rise from his present rating of No. 134.

There was a top quality group of cross catchers at Future 50, however none caught extra eyes than vast receiver Chris Henry Jr. and tight finish Kendre Harrison. Each prospects are No. 1 at their place, so it got here as no shock to see them atop their particular positional teams. However it is very important word that neither had been pushed in drills or aggressive play.

There was no 1-on-1 portion of the occasion, so in drills, routes had been solely on air and the aggressive facet was a new-style 5-on-5 on a half discipline, performed from mid-field to the sideline. Neither athlete, who each look to face a minimum of 6-foot-6, had been in a position to actually exhibit their velocity or route working skills, being restricted by the taking part in format.

In regard to Henry Jr., who’s the No. 3 prospect within the 2026 class, we had been hoping to get an up to date analysis on his velocity at this level in his improvement. There aren’t actually any issues about his velocity, however at 6-foot-6 and shutting in on 200 kilos, what sort of mover is he?

He actually confirmed he can get open, which does not require a lot separation along with his size and dependable, comfortable palms, however what’s the prime finish velocity? For now, we do not have a precise reply.

With Harrison, his ceiling is as excessive as he needs it to be. He’s a multi-sport standout, prone to play excessive degree basketball in faculty to associate with his soccer profession. There may be extra to his recreation on the soccer discipline than has been tapped into at this level, so getting that out of him is the following step. The format this weekend didn’t push or check his skills. Even with that, he is without doubt one of the finest cross catching prospects within the nation.

Whereas we didn’t get a whole have a look at their ability units, they carried out precisely how we’d anticipate to on this setting. They had been higher than these round them and appeared to suit their present rankings.

The most effective advantages of Future 50 is the centered analysis on the highest of the rising junior class. It’s a nice alternative to see what’s at present perceived because the cream of the crop to see how they form up facet by facet via drills and competitors.

Following this occasion, there will not be a place prone to see extra adjustments within the rankings than the quarterbacks. As identified earlier, Brandon will definitely be a riser among the many group. In reality, if he continues his progress and trajectory, there’s a dialogue available sooner or later if he’s the No. 1 quarterback within the 2026 class. Brady Smigiel is at present ranked because the No. 2 quarterback within the nation, however has had inconsistent accuracy attributable to some footwork that must be refined. There isn’t a query of his arm energy, which pops, however along with his decrease half not fairly as superior, a shuffle on the prime could also be so as.

Jared Curtis, the No. 19 general prospect and No. 2 pro-style passer, is in attendance, however is just not competing as he recovers from a latest hand damage. Accuracy and footwork has additionally been a critique of top-50 prospect Brady Hart this weekend. Noah Grubbs, the No. 44 general ranked prospect and No. 4 pro-style passer, has struggled at instances this weekend with arm energy, which has led to ball placement and accuracy inconsistency.

Prime-100 prospects Dia Bell and Jaden O’Neal confirmed flashes of some actually sturdy play in each drills and workforce play.

There have been a handful of prospects who competed at Future 50 that don’t essentially have one place set for the longer term. Two are ranked as “athlete” within the present 2026 rankings in Keisean Henderson and Derrek Cooper, a pair of top-30 prospects.

Henderson, who’s dedicated to Houston as a quarterback, spent his time in Bradenton taking part in three separate positions. In drill work, Henderson labored out as a quarterback, however in video games, he was making performs at each vast receiver and defensive again, reeling in touchdowns and defending passes. His highest upside is as a ability participant, however he’s set on taking part in quarterback in faculty. He is without doubt one of the top-ranked athletes within the nation, which he proved this weekend, so will he ever lean into these abilities on the subsequent degree?

Derrek Cooper, who was named MVP of Future 50 by Beneath Armour, labored out as a working again in positional drills after which was everywhere in the discipline in video games. He was making performs at vast receiver, defensive again, linebacker and even bought some handoff, jet sweep sort performs in dwell competitors on offense. As of proper now, there isn’t a reply as to the place he suits sooner or later. We doubtless gained’t know for fairly some time what his finest match shall be.

Two extra prospects, who’re ranked at particular positions will doubtless see adjustments within the subsequent replace. Jayden Petit is ranked as a large receiver, however after watching his play type and taking his present measurables of 6-foot-4 and 202 kilos into consideration, he’s a greater match as a good finish. He was one of many higher performers popping out of the weekend, flashing sturdy palms, crisp route working and the power to make performs in site visitors.

One other positional change prone to come is J’Zavien Currence, who’s into consideration to maneuver from security to linebacker. He performed linebacker primarily in dwell play this weekend and has a body to permit extra weight that’s about 200 kilos proper now.

Two defensive backs that had buzz all weekend had been four-star Elbert Hill and three-star Victor Singleton, who each come from Ohio. Hill was one of many quickest gamers on the occasion and was lock down in protection all all through dwell play. There have been only a few instances he was even examined by opposing quarterbacks, however made performs when he was.

The most effective protection performs of the weekend got here when Hill defended a cross ultimately zone meant for five-star vast receiver Chris Henry Jr. Hill, who’s ranked because the No. 27 prospect within the nation, confirmed why he is without doubt one of the finest defensive backs within the 2026 class.

Singleton was a participant who had just a few extra performs to his title with a number of huge cross deflections, actually outplaying his present three-star standing. He’s a participant that can proceed to see his inventory rise as his junior season is underway this fall.