The weekend in review: Recapping the Prospects (Part II)

A follow up to last night's post: with a full weekend of prep football on the ESPN family of networks (and elsewhere), here's a look at some of the prospects who jumped off the screen to me on Sunday afternoon.

ATH Jalen Hurd (6-4, 225, Henderson, Tenn./Beech)

– Some talk Hurd has even moved upwards of 240 pounds (or more). He looks good, although I'm not sure I'm buying that he already weighs that much. In any case, Hurd was incredibly impressive in a thrilling 42-39 win over Station Camp on Sunday. Hurd lived up to expectations on offense (21 carries, 177 yards, 3 TD's), but he was a revelation playing on defense, often as a one-high safety positioned about 15-18 yards off the line of scrimmage. Hurd would likely need a transition to linebacker at the next level, but his future very much seems to be on defense. He could be a difference-maker for the Vols on a unit where they currently lack for talent.

WR Josh Malone (6-2, 191, Gallatin, Tenn./Station Camp)

– Malone was impressive, if not spectacular on Sunday. A 87-yard kickoff return for a TD allowed his surprising speed and explosiveness at his size to shine through. He will need some work – Malone is not a finished product by any means (evidenced by his offensive performance: four receptions, 35 yards). But he can be a big-time receiver on the next level. Obviously, his recruitment is only beginning to heat up.

RB Tre Malone (6-0, 235, Gallatin, Tenn./Station Camp)

– The cousin of Josh, this Malone is a member of the Class of 2015, and should be just as highly-recruited. Malone impressed as a big, bruising, downhill runner who proved extremely tough for the Beech defense to bring down on Sunday (14 carries, 92 yards, 2 TD's). He should prove to be just as highly-recruited as his four-star relative based on his performance this weekend.

WR Ermon Lane (6-2, 196, Homestead)

– Lane had a relatively quiet game on Sunday, getting injured early on and never really making an impact after that (four catches, 42 yards). I was actually as impressed by a couple of tackles he made on defense as anything he did from the wide receiver position. Clearly, Homestead was overmatched against the University School. Lane will likely put up big numbers once the Broncos get into the meat of the schedule, especially if they elect to air it out like they did on Sunday (Broncos QB Maurice Alexander threw 45 times against the University School). In any case, if nothing else, at least Lane showed the level of physicality that will be needed from him on the occasions he's asked to block at the next level.

CB Quincy Wilson (6-1, 196, University School)

– Wilson had the big pick-six to sort of put the game away for University School in a 41-21 win over Homestead. Wilson had a couple of breakdowns in coverage as well, but overall I thought he showed great agility and technique for a big corner. Although a lot of people seem to have questioned his take by Florida, the Gators clearly needed at least one big corner in this class. Wilson helps fill that void.

RB Jordan Scarlett (5-11, 200, University School)

– Scarlett isn't quite there yet. He's got the speed. He's starting to fill out and show the frame (now around 200 pounds). He's certainly close. It's hard not to think that Scarlett is putting himself in an excellent position to end up the top running back in the state of Florida for the Class of 2015, and subsequently, one of the top in the country among the junior class as well. Scarlett ran for 106 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in the kickoff classic victory for the U-School.

QB Torrance Gibson (6-4, 185, American Heritage-Plantation)

– After making a strong impact on the seven-on-seven circuit over the spring and summer, Gibson flashed plus tools on Sunday against Cypress Bay. His 80-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Perez on the first play from scrimmage got things started for the Patriots in a big preseason win over the Chargers. The hype is certainly warranted. Gibson has the size, although he needs to continue adding weight. Impressive speed at 6-4, and he showed off a live arm on Sunday. It's only one preseason classic under his belt at this point, but now you can officially take the “athlete” label off of #6. He's got the look of a big-time dual-threat quarterback prospect.

RB Sony Michel (5-11, 205, American Heritage-Plantation)

– Michel showed why all the hype early in his career was warranted, ripping off a 69-yard touchdown run on the second offensive series of the game for AH-Plantation in a 38-14 kickoff classic win over defending FHSAA Class 8A runner-up Cypress Bay. Two years removed from the ACL injury that wiped out his sophomore season, Michel appears to be back to 100 percent, and ready to run roughshod over South Florida competition once again. The UGA rushing attack continues to get more formidable.

CB Tarvarus McFadden (6-2, 185, American Heritage-Plantation)

– Talented junior athlete had a couple of plays that stood out. A 58-yard kickoff allowed McFadden to flash his speed, but was called back due to a penalty. Cypress Bay also tested McFadden on a fade route in the end zone where McFadden showed good positioning and coverage. He batted the ball away and nearly made an interception. Overall, I was impressed with McFadden's cover ability at that size. Great body control. He's definitely an intriguing prospect among the state's junior class.