College football

Five players rise above pack at Top Gun camp

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK

By Jeremy Crabtree

updated 11:25 p.m. ET Aug. 5, 2009

It wasn’t Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun,” but last week’s FBU Top Gun Camp in Paisley, Fla., still was a blockbuster hit.

The camp, held about 40 miles northwest of Orlando, featured several five-star prospects, and quite a few others displayed the potential to earn a fifth star. In the end, Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Barry Every said five players separated themselves from the pack as the best of the best in the camp.

The first name Every mentioned was Philadelphia George Washington five-star defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, a 6-foot-3, 310-pounder who dominated.

“Floyd’s stance is so low that it was nearly impossible for interior linemen to get underneath him,” Every said. “As long as he does not pop straight up, he will become a beast at the next level. I think he definitely took a stride at the camp toward proving he’s one of the best defensive tackles we’ve seen in the past few years. He’s got the potential to be an immediate impact player.”

Portland (Ore.) David Douglas defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa is on the cusp of earning a fifth star. He is the nation’s No. 19 overall player, and he was another player Every said excelled.

“What I loved is that he was the only high-profile defensive linemen that didn’t let the elements get to him,” Every said. “He battled through all three practices where the heat was a factor, and it didn’t slow him down at all. He’s got superior overall body structure, is extremely quick off the ball and is very strong. He has a tall, lean, muscular frame.”

Ball-hawking athlete/safety Keenan Allen, a four-star prospect from Greensboro (N.C.) Northern Guilford, was another of Every’s top five. Every said Allen made one of the best plays of the entire camp when he picked off a ball thrown behind Kasen Williams by twisting his body around to come up with the interception.

“He reminds me of current Seattle Seahawks safety Deon Grant,” Every said. “Allen would be considered a huge free safety at the college level because he could end up weighing around 215 pounds in a few years. He possesses good height, long arms and excellent ball skills.”

Stamford (Conn.) High four-star outside linebacker Khairi Fortt received recognition from Every as one of the camp’s five best.

“He did the best job of running stride for stride with the backs in man-to-man pass coverage, which is difficult in a camp setting because the running back always has the advantage,” Every said. “Fortt has wide shoulders and a very muscular torso. His lower body is long yet athletic looking. Don't be surprised if he plays at 240 pounds [he’s at 220 now] in college.”

Robert Crisp of Hillsborough (N.C.) Cedar Ridge also made a strong case for five-star consideration. Crisp, who has committed to North Carolina State, easily was the best offensive linemen in attendance. He more than held his own against some good defensive ends during one-on-ones.

“He used excellent hand placement and a quick pass set to keep the likes of Gabe King and J.R. Ferguson at bay,” Every said. “Crisp practiced with more emotion than almost anybody out there, and proved he has a nasty streak. He has tremendous height, long arms and is a natural knee- and hip-bender. He is physically similar to Eugene Monroe [a former Virginia star who was a 2009 first-round draft pick].”

Recruiter of week
Clemson secondary coach Charlie Harbison had quite a week. He beat out South Carolina, Ole Miss, Maryland and Miami for Columbus (Ga.) Carver guard David Beasley and beat out Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and many others for Carver defensive end Corey Crawford.

Harbison wasn’t done.

He was the lead recruiter on four-star defensive back Darius Robinson from Atlanta Westlake, who chose Clemson over Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Ole Miss and UCLA. He also assisted on Conyers (Ga.) Heritage cornerback Garry Peters, a four-star prospect who chose Clemson over FSU, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama and Auburn.

Two three-star players and two four-star players, all from Georgia. Not a bad week at all.

CONTINUED : Another major offer for 2011 star

1 | 2 | Next >