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

The first weekend of prep football is in full force on the ESPN family of networks (and elsewhere). Some of these games counted, some didn't. In any case, it was the first chance to watch some real action from the high school level in over nine months. Here were some of the big-name prospects who jumped off the screen to me on Saturday.

OL Martez Ivey (6-6, 280, Apopka)

– Ivey absolutely looks the part of a big-time, national top-100 level lineman. Apopka lined him up all over the field – including in the slot on a handful of plays – in an effort to get him in position to make the key blocks on each offensive set. Despite the fact Apopka dropped a 51-36 decision to Palmetto State powerhouse Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes, the Blue Darters still managed to outgain their opponents in total offense, 402-367. A fact helped by the presence of Ivey as well as all-purpose back Daquan Isom. I'm still curious to see how Ivey develops over the course of the next year, but he looks phenomenal right now. Should be one of the top offensive linemen in the Class of 2015.

FB Chandler Cox (6-2, 215, Apopka)

– An all-around threat who plays multiple roles in Apopka's single-wing style offense. Cox could be the eventual successor to Zack Darlington at QB for the Blue Darters. His future on the college level is likely as a fullback, however. A devastating blocker who is also a tough runner between the tackles, Cox would seem to be a great fit at fullback for a team looking in that direction for the Class of 2015.

DE Jacob Pugh (6-4, 225, Tallahassee Godby)

– The thing that jumped out at me immediately in regards to Pugh is his noticeable gain in bulk. This isn't the lanky, gangly athlete we saw running about creating mischief as a sophomore at Monticello Jefferson County when Pugh was a sophomore. He has developed into an excellent weakside end prospect. The Seminoles got a real steal with this one, as Pugh created all sorts of headaches for the Plant offensive front – as well as Panthers head coach Robert Weiner – in an impressive and dominant kickoff classic win for defending state champ Godby over Tampa powerhouse Plant, 35-16.

WR John Burt (6-3, 175, Tallahassee Lincoln)

– Reggie Davis (Georgia) and Taj Williams (Indiana) were excellent receiver prospects for Lincoln last year. Only a junior this fall, Burt is already better. Lincoln picked up a big 34-21 win over Snellville (Ga.) South Gwinnett on Saturday, and Burt was one of the stars of the show. Four receptions, 132 yards and two touchdowns on offense. He also added an interception on defense in the victory.



Long, rangy and with the ability to get open in the vertical passing game, Burt figures to dominate the football scene in Tallahassee over the next two years as he develops into a national recruit at the receiver position. Needs to add weight and fill out, but that will come with time.

RB Dalvin Cook (5-11, 196, Miami/Central)

– In a sloppy game littered with penalties, it was hard to read much into the performance of Florida commit Cook, along with Miami pledge Joe Yearby (who combined for over 100 yards rushing and two TD's on the night) in a 44-13 kickoff classic win for Central over fellow South Florida power Dwyer. Both figure to build on twin 1,400-yard campaigns from last fall, as the Rockets prepare to defend their Class 7A state championship from last year, and make a run at the mythical national championship for this year.

DE Lorenzo Carter (6-5, 234, Norcross)

– Unfortunately for Carter, and the rest of the Norcross squad, they were completely dominated and overshadowed by the speed of the Booker T. Washington Tornadoes of Tallahassee. Undersized left tackle Jordan Ingraham pushed Carter around all night long, with the only play I can recall Carter making was on a stunt inside where he managed to get his hands in the face of BTW quarterback Treon Harris in the second quarter. Harris still managed to unleash a dart which went for about 20 yards, which was pretty much the story of the night. There's no doubt that Carter has all the athletic tools to develop into a big-time player at the next level. Saturday night proved he still has a ways to go to refine those considerable talents, however.

DE Chad Thomas (6-5, 240, Booker T. Washington)

– Thomas may not have made a huge impression in the stat column on Saturday night, but he's clearly improving as a player. While Carter is known for his athleticism as a pass-rusher, and will likely line up on the weak-side or even as a pass-rushing OLB at the next level, Thomas will be a strong-side end or even perhaps make an impact at the three-technique at Miami. Thomas lined up quite a bit on the interior and certainly seemed to have his way with the Norcross offensive front on Saturday night. His play will be closely monitored by all the recruiting services over the course of the 2013, I'm sure.

QB Treon Harris (5-10½, 186, Booker T. Washington)

– 23-of-28, 287 yards, 5 TD's against a team widely thought to be one of the 25 best in the country. Harris also threw in a cool 65 yards rushing on 10 carries. Not much more to add about this performance. He was simply sensational. I'm thinking there may be something to Harris' insistence that he get a look at QB on the next level.

RB Mark Walton (5-10, 182, Booker T. Washington)

– The next in line at Booker T. Washington. Walton looked electric in his limited role against Norcross on Saturday, which included a 13-yard touchdown run during the second quarter of the Tornadoes' rout over one of the top programs in the state of Georgia. Expect Walton to be another ho-hum national prospect from the BTW prospect machine.