LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The second day of practice leading up to the Under Armour Next All-America Game on Tuesday saw heavier action pitting intra-squad teams against each other. On the loaded Team Phantom roster, there were some standouts from Saturday morning’s practice.
William Fowles showing all the tools
The Louisville signee is a pigskin catching machine. With Kansas State signee Avery Johnson and Iowa State signee JJ Kohl delivering the rock, Fowles’ hands looked as clean and natural as any other receiver participating in the All-America Game. Adding to it, Fowles routes were crisp and smooth.
During the 1-on-1s, Fowles had some nice receptions with a standout haul against Georgia signee Justyn Rhett. Fowles is that big receiver with speed that can create problems all over the field.
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Peter Woods dominates
Early in the UA Next preparations, Woods has been one of the elite standouts on a field full of standout players. The motor for the Clemson commit never quits and his first step is lightning fast. His interior linemen teammates don’t have an answer for him when they match up against each other in practice. Every other pass play was disrupted by Woods forcing Johnson or Kohl out of the pocket or into what would have been a sack. Woods is setting up for a big national TV performance.
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David Hicks Jr. is a beast
Whoever paired Hicks and Woods on the same team made lovers of defense very happy. Hicks is monstrous off the snap with great strength. During 1-on-1s, Hicks abused linemen winning rep after rep. When the ball is teed up on Tuesday, this duo will be able to feed off one another impacting the game for Team Phantom.
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Roderick Kearney rebounds
With players going full contact, the offense won the day on the skill side and the defense won in the trenches. One of the players making the adjustment to the speed, strength and talent on the other side of the ball was offensive tackle Roderick Kearney. The Florida signee had a tough first draw going against Hicks in 1-on-1s but bounced back to win his second best of two reps. Kearney is putting in the work to make Gator fans proud come game time.
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Tony Mitchell’s top six receivers
It is one thing to get a scout’s evaluation and another to get a player’s perspective. At the conclusion of Saturday’s practice, Alabama safety signee Tony Mitchell shared the six receivers that have caught his eye so far: Colorado signee Adam Hopkins, Ole Miss signee Ayden Williams, USC signee Zachariah Branch, Texas signee Johntay Cook III, Alabama signee Jalen Hale and USC signee Makai Lemon.
