MIAMI -- The Miami Nike Football Training Camp may have been small in overall numbers, but it was big on talent. Close to 200 of the area's top prospects converged on the practice fields at Barry University, while three players took home coveted invites to The Opening. Several prospects entered the camp holding offers and there were several stellar performances, but only 24 can be named to the Miami All-Nike Camp team.
Note: Selections are based upon feedback from NFTC position coaches as well as past and projected on-field performance. Athletes are in the Class of 2013 unless otherwise noted.
TOP PERFORMER
DB Sojourn Shelton, 5-9, 150, Plantation (Fla.)
Earned the MVP nod over camp veteran Will Likely of Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.). Shelton had a nice interception in the half-field 7-on-7 period and made plays in one-on-ones. The FSU commit is quicker than fast and does a good job mirroring receivers downfield. Although he isn't the strongest at 150 pounds, he is able to reroute receivers in press without losing his leverage. After grabbing the MVP hardware, Shelton was selected to The Opening.
TOP UNDERCLASSMAN
OL K.C. McDermott ('14), 6-5.5, 285, Palm Beach Central (Wellington, Fla.)
This is the second time McDermott's competed at the Miami Nike Camp. His performance Sunday was as good as it gets. The mammoth tackle has the size, reach, aggressive streak and bend to be an elite recruit for the Class of 2014. He is very coachable and understands the position. His brother Shane is currently the starting center at the University of Miami and his other brother played at Colorado State. He has a great attitude and was practicing his stance and hand placement when it wasn't his turn in line.
OFFENSE
QB: Sean White ('14), 6-1, 199, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)
Breakdown: Snagged the QB MVP award after coming on strong in individual drills and delivering accurate passes throughout the day.
RB: Kelvin Taylor, 5-11, 215, Glades Day (Belle Glade, Fla.)
Breakdown: The Florida commit didn't win MVP, but performed at an MVP level, especially in pass-protection drills. Punched a ticket to The Opening.
RB: Joseph Yearby ('14), 5-9, 191, Miami Central (Miami)
Breakdown: The underclass prospect did not let a recent foot injury slow him down en route to earning MVP honors. Already sports BCS verbal offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida State and Miami.
RB: Lorenzo Woodley, 6-0.5, 207, Columbus (Miami)
Breakdown: Stood out at one of the deepest positions with his speed and power. Ran for more than 700 yards and eleven scores as a junior.
RB: Marcus Levy, 5-9.5, 189, Fort Pierce Central (Fort Pierce, Fla.)
Breakdown: Narrowly missed out winning MVP after impressing several RB coaches. Levy had a productive junior campaign, rushing for 1,364 yards and 18 touchdowns.
WR: Jesus Wilson, 5-9.5, 162, Columbus (Miami)
Breakdown: Wilson is a good route runner and possesses above-average, short-area speed and quickness. The slender receiver was named WR MVP. Notched 11 total touchdowns last fall.
WR: J.C. Jackson ('14), 5-9.5, 176, Immokalee (Fla.)
Breakdown: Displayed superior explosiveness and initial burst. The FSU commit really excelled eating up DB's cushion and using his quickness to win one-on-one battles against press coverage.
OL: Gerald Wright, 6-1.5, 321, Miami Northwestern (Miami)
Breakdown: Wright's best football may be ahead of him. Great potential, his technique needs work, but he has the athleticism and size to overcome initial shortcomings.
OL: Sandley Jean-Felix, 6-5, 292, Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.)
Breakdown: Excellent size and long arms. Does a great job with his punch and hands. Missed his junior season because of eligibility issues but still holds offers from FBS programs.
OL: Jomel Ribalta, 6-2.5, 350, Hialeah (Fla.)
Breakdown: Nabbed the OL MVP with dominating one-on-one performance. Massive interior guard prospect that is strong at the point of attack. Needs to shed a few pounds, but he shouldn't lose any of his strength.
OL: Denver Kirkland, 6-4, 334, Booker T. Washington (Miami)
Breakdown: Looked polished in one-on-ones and has great feet despite his size. Kirkland does a nice job redirecting and staying in front of his man.
DEFENSE
DL: Stacy Thomas, 6-0.5, 227, Gulliver Prep (Pinecrest, Fla.)
Breakdown: Quick first step and did a nice job getting OL off-balance. Thomas will need to work on his counter moves when the opposition beats him to the spot. Already holding double digit offers.
DL: Paul James, 6-2, 246, Miami Norland (Miami)
Breakdown: James showed the tools that recruiting experts rave about in taking home the DL MVP. He got better as the day progressed and won his share of one-on-one match ups. The recent Dr. Krop transfer claims offers from Alabama, Florida State, Marshall and Miami.
DL: Aaron Thomas, 5-10.5, 304, Miami Carol City (Miami)
Breakdown: Undersized nose tackle that uses size to gain leverage and stay low firing off the ball. Stout and quick, but will need to mix up moves and not rely on the bull rush against bigger OL.
LB: Michael Deeb, 6-2, 237, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
Breakdown: Prototypical size and ability at the Mike 'backer position. Like a coach on the field, great communicator and high football IQ. He was one of the best LB's in the half-field 7-on-7 portion of camp.
LB: Matthew Thomas, 6-3.5, 200, Booker T. Washington (Miami)
Breakdown: Freak athlete who overmatched RB's in pass-rush drills. Thomas has great speed and is in constant motion. Long wingspan helps him wreak havoc as an OLB and third-down pass-rush end.
LB: Evan Harvey, 6-0, 204, Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)
Breakdown: Hard-working LB who covers short area well. Harvey is instinctive and very disciplined. He comes from a great program and seems to get better with every camp showing.
LB: Lance Virgile, 6-2, 215, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Breakdown: Long-limbed OLB with above-average speed. Virgile has a tremendous upside and holds offers from West Virginia, NC State, Houston and Bowling Green.
LB/DB: Anthony Walker, 6-0.5, 206, Monsignor Pace (Miami Gardens, Fla.)
Breakdown: Walker has safety size, but linebacker toughness and capability. Hybrid/rover-type defender with top-end speed and athletic ability. Purdue and FIU have offered.
DB: William Likely III, 5-7, 164, Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.)
Breakdown: The feisty cover corner didn't get his hands on many balls, but he was rarely challenged. One of the most versatile prospects in the Sunshine State for the Class of 2013. Selected to The Opening following his camp effort.
DB: Rashard Robinson, 6-2, 162, Ely (Pompano Beach, Fla.)
Breakdown: Rangy back end defender with superb straight-line speed. Flew under the radar on Sunday, but got the attention of a few DB coaches. If he can improve technique on the camp circuit, Robinson has a chance to see his stock increase before the fall.
DB: Michael Johnson, 5-9, 153, B.T. Washington (Miami)
Breakdown: Johnson uses his hands well in press coverage. Stays low in his backpedal and had several pass break-ups in one-on-ones. Played corner at the camp, but lines up at safety for the Tornadoes.