Athletes Participated in 7-on-7 During Festival

Quite a crowd of talented quarterbacks, receivers, lineman, linebackers, and defensive backs left their mark in ensuring the inaugural event in Chicago was a great success.

A wide range of highly regarded instructors made their way to Chicago to work with some of the best in the Midwest, including 16-year NFL veteran quarterback Bubby Brister, long-time NFL tight end coach Jon Embree, legendary NFL coach and lineman expert Jim Hanifan, DSU senior instructor and former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Joe Dickinson, 14-year NFL veteran left tackle John Alt, former NFL and Notre Dame linebacker Mike Goolsby, 2002 Heisman Runner-Up Brad Banks, former #1 recruit in the country and highly regarded WR coach Mickey Joseph, former Illinois starting quarterback Jon Beutjer, former NFL offensive lineman Ray Hitchcock, former Indiana University defensive lineman Al Haywood, and former NFL quarterback Mike Lloyd.

Quarterbacks were also thrilled to have the opportunity to meet and greet with DSU alum and current Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist, as well, as current DSU client and IUP quarterback Andrew Krewatch.

Festivities kicked off Friday evening with the Football Showcase & Skills Challenge which presented athletes the opportunity to compete against the best at their position in gauging their skill set through athletic and measurable testing, 1-on-1 competitions, and various skills challenges.

CLICK HERE to view results of the top five performers at each position in each drill.

On Saturday morning, DSU welcomed several area coaches to our FREE Coaches’ Clinic, which was followed by the start of our Super 7 QB & WR Academy, Lineman Academy, and Defensive Academy.

Below are highlighted athletes who stood out for their work ethic, coach-ability, and performance throughout the weekend.

QUARTERBACKS

After watching Taylor Graham (Wheaton, IL/North) all weekend, the question no longer became if but rather when would the scholarships begin to roll in. Graham possessed a rocket arm and excellent ball placement throwing with solid mechanics. Of all academies in 2009, Graham is right alongside Austin Hinder as one of the most physically ready in both stature and arm strength for the next level. A broken ankle last fall limited schools from having much film on him, but Graham has the tools to be one of the more highly recruited quarterbacks in the Class of 2010.

AJ Derby (Iowa City, IA/City High) proved at the Las Vegas Super 7 QB & WR Academy he can play the quarterback position at the division one level, and left no doubt with that assessment through his performance in Chicago. Derby has a wonderful attitude, is very coachable, and carries an excellent demeanor for the position. He improved a great deal throughout the weekend, and continues to put in the work to warrant his status as one of the nation’s most highly recruited quarterbacks.

Perhaps no word emphasizes Chandler Whitmer (Downers Grove, IL/South) more than solid with that meaning solid in all areas of his game. Whitmer committed to the University of Illinois following the event, and Ron Zook and crew landed a winner. Whitmer is a gym rat that is capable of making every throw on the field. He will make his future quarterback coach very happy, and saying this without making a true comparison, has many qualities that bring to mind Drew Brees.

No quarterback improved more throughout the weekend than Brandon Pechloff (Glen Ellyn, IL/Montini Catholic). A rifled-arm, six-foot-seven, left-handed quarterback; Pechloff has the potential to be very good at the next level. Pechloff has had to wait his turn behind some very good quarterbacks, and this fall will present the first opportunity for schools to get a good evaluation of him on film.

Matt Strohmeier (Evansville, IN/North) is a well put-together quarterback that was the first to arrive Friday evening and last to leave on Sunday. He has tools to work with at the next level.

Mark Alt (St. Paul, MN/Cretin-Derham Hall) was limited due to a deep thigh bruise, but possesses a very nice arm and places the ball very well. An accomplished athlete in the state of Minnesota, Alt looks good in the pocket and we look forward to seeing him at 100% in the future.

Michael Davis (Peoria, IL/Richwoods), Tyler Warden (Glen Ellyn, IL/Glenbard West) and Tarik Smith (Chicago, IL/Hales Franciscan) are both quarterbacks with great size and lively arms to keep an eye on in 2009, as well, as Jeff Kohl (Plainfield, IL/South), Drew McAdams (Madison, WI/East), Eric Williamson (Springfield, IL/Sacred Heart Griffin), and Derek O’Connor (Kankakee, IL/Bishop McNamara) will be intriguing to watch next fall.

Class of 2011 quarterback Nathan Wilson (Kansas City, MO/Park Hill) looks very promising in the future and should attract recruiters as long as he continues to grow. Jack Verducci (Iowa City, IA/Regina) and Michael Shewchcuk (Chicago, IL/Taft) also proved to be one to watch in the future.

Taylor Davis (Hebron, KY/Beechwood) is a Class of 2012 quarterback that impressed instructors and fellow quarterbacks. Justice Odom (Wheaton, IL/Warrenville South) is a promising young quarterback that took every opportunity to ask questions and be the first in line to compete. Danny Callahan (Hinsdale, IL/Central) and Gavin Glenn (Adel, IA/ADM) were also impressive quarterbacks in the Class of 2012.

Darrion Boone (Chicago, IL) will join the Fenger High School football program next fall, and was as impressive as any 8th-grade quarterback that has attended our academies in 2009. Boone had a rifle-arm with the ability to throw the football 70-yards, and was encouraged throughout the weekend to remain humble and hard-working to maximize the fine potential he displayed.

Youth quarterback Ricardo Johnson (St. Paul, MN) applied what he was being taught very well, and threw a very nice ball for a young quarterback. Youth quarterback Bret Miller (Waunakee, WI) impressed instructors with his arm and accuracy. Miller challenged quarterbacks in accuracy with the target board, and stood in there to hit the bulls-eye from the same distance.

WIDE RECEIVERS

The Cretin-Derham Hall trio of Clay Horne, Elliott Owusu, and Brooks Hitchcock impressed Coach Embree with their ability enough to be recognized as top performers at the receiver position during the weekend. Clay Horne was the most impressive with his combination of size (6’6, 195-pounds), footwork, and ability to go up and get the ball. He lacks top-end speed, and doesn’t appear to have room in the shoulders nor hips to add the weight to become a tight end, but would be a great option in a pass-happy offense. Owusu is another big target with good overall athleticism, and Hitchcock runs precise routes with very good hands.

Class of 2012 wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (Glen Ellyn, IL/Montini Catholic) had a great pair of hands and impressed the older quarterbacks enough to become the most requested receiver during the weekend. He has a promising future along with his older brother, Christian, who is a Class of 2010 prospect that impressed during the weekend. Both will be great weapons for Brandon Pechloff in the fall.

Terrance Terry (Barrington, IL/Barrington) was the best athlete of the group. A dynamic athlete with good explosion and the ability to turn his hips and break on the ball, Terry may be better suited at the defensive back position. We expect many D1 schools will target him this summer and fall.

Wayne Davis (Chicago, IL/Paul Roberson) proved to be a division one athlete at the position that moves very well and demonstrated the ability to be a playmaker. The only knack on Davis, according to Coach Embree, too often he made the same mistake twice. He improves that tendency and he has a bright future.

Russ Finco (Hartland, WI/Arrowhead) is a quick, reliable target that gets out of his breaks very well. Both John Frederickson (Chicago, IL/Evergreen Park) and Marquece Tate (Decatur, IL/MacArthur) are big targets standing at six-foot-three that proved to run good routes and caught they ball well in traffic.

Ellis Jordan (Iowa City, IA/City High) and John Chelf (Iowa City, IA/City High) will be the top two targets for AJ Derby this fall, and both were impressive throughout the weekend. Jordan really is able to get good work done on the inside as a slot receiver, and Chelf is a reliable target with huge hands.

A special shout-out goes out to youth receivers Cal Elvers (Litchfield, IL), Jeremy Asbury (Chicago, IL), and Andrew Smith (Valpariso, IN) who looked to take every rep they could receive, and showed enthusiasm to run routes with the elder quarterbacks and receivers. Coach Embree made a point to inform each has a bright future ahead.

Other receivers of note include: Anthony Hardeman (Chicago, IL/Taft), J.T. Mesch (Glen Ellyn, IL/Glenbard West), Juwane Pipkins (Chicago, IL/Paul Roberson), and Melvin Gordon (Kenosha, WI/Mary Bradford).

LINEMAN

A late registrant, Bruce Gaston (Chicago, IL/St. Rita) informed Coach Hanifan he had never played offense. Recruited strictly as a defensive tackle to this point, Gaston turned heads with his performance along the offensive lineman. A very coachable athlete, Gaston was good in short sets, and stay centered never getting over-extended.

”Gaston was the most impressive throughout the weekend,” said John Alt. “It was very impressive to see how quickly he adapted to playing offensive guard, and how effective he was in pass pro sets. He’s a dime a dozen as a defensive tackle, but I told his father he has a special future at guard. Along either line, he is a definite D1 prospect.”

The Morgan Park High School tandem of Maurice Goodman and Jazzario Barros were both the biggest bodies in attendance, and both moved their feet as well as any lineman in attendance. Both young men had great personalities, showed great attentiveness to detail, and impressed the coaches with their attitude and demeanor. They picked up zone blocking very naturally. Both have the ability to be road graders for their future collegiate program.

Christian Lombard (Palatine, IL/WM Fremd) proved in one-day of participation why Notre Dame was eager to accept his commitment and why he is one of the elite lineman in the country. Lombard spent time picking up pointers from Alt, who felt he as fundamentally and technically sound as he could be entering the division one level. Lombard will make new Irish offensive line coach Frank Verducci a happy man.

Richie Rebmann (Bensenville, IL/Fenton) was only in attendance on Sunday, but it did not take long for him to grab the attention of the instructors. Rebmann plays with great effort, and was the most physical lineman of those in attendance. You can see he has a nasty streak, and is still growing. Standing at nearly six-foot-five, Rebmann has the shoulders and hips to fill out. He’s an intriguing prospect to watch in the Class of 2010.

Michael Kim (Aurora, IL/West) really impressed both Alt and fellow instructor Ray Hitchcock with his strong performance on Saturday, but he seemed to lose his confidence on Sunday after going up against some of the bigger boys. Kim will have to adjust against better competition, but is a load and holds up well at the point of attack. He should make some noise at camps this summer.

Shea Walker (St. Paul, MN/Cretin-Derham) has everything you look for in a lineman with strong work ethic, excellent footwork, and strength at the point of attack. Right now, he just lacks traditional measurables. Tyler Olker (Spring Grove, IL/Richmond-Burton) is a stout lineman that plays with great tenacity and has the ability to hold up strong along the inside of the line. Andrew Schofield (Orland Park, IL/Carl Sandburg) impressed with his instructors with his eagerness to receive each rep and compete. He has the ability to play at the next level and frame at six-foot-five to add weight, and will need to do so to perform at the next level.

Class of 2012 lineman Evan Finnane (Elgin, IL/St. Edward’s) and Alec Lyons (Batavia, IL/Batavia) have great frames for their young age and promising futures along the line. Both looked to be first-in-line, and took great pride in competing against the elder lineman in 1-on-1’s.

Defensive ends Zach Brennan (Adel, IA/ADM) and Sam Reents (Springfield, IL/Sacred Heart Griffin) both are quick, agile guys that get off the ball well. Both are too light at this point to be considered division one prospects, but have futures at the next level.

Other lineman of note include: Ulice Payne (Milwakuee, WI/St. Pius), Andrew Novotny (Chicago Ridge, IL/H L Richards), and Edris Asfour (Palos Hills, IL/Stagg)

LINEBACKERS and DEFENSIVE BACKS

DeBartolo Sports University kicked offs its Inaugural Defensive Academy in Chicago and it was a great success, largely due to instructor Mike Goolsby, former NFL and Notre Dame linebacker.

"I thoroughly enjoyed working with the defensive players at camp this weekend,” commented Goolsby. “As a former collegiate and professional linebacker I am a firm believer in attention to detail and most importantly, effort. The group of athletes that came out for the Chicago camp did not disappoint in either capacity. I walked away impressed with not only their natural skills but also their 'coach-ability'. They made my job easy."

Goolsby noted Ryan Gorrell (Glen Ellyn, IL/Montini Catholic) was the most impressive during the weekend.

”Ryan currently plays linebacker, but I project him as a strong safety at the next level. He has good size at six-foot-one, 205-pounds and moves like a defensive back. I expect him to have a dominant senior season.”

Shane Finnane (Elgin, IL/St. Edward’s) was the most physically ready for the next level with a great physique. Possessing the frame of a fullback, Finnane impressed Goolsby with high level of athleticism.

Dana Derricks (Plum City, WI/Plum City) will be moving onto the Division 2 level next fall, and demonstrated his ability to mid-point throws as witnessed in his interception during our 7-on-7 activity.

”Justin Mesch (Glen Ellyn, IL/Glenbard West) was a joy to coach,” said Goolsby. “He displayed great range at the safety position and he is a very fluid football athlete. Justin has ideal height and will continue to grow into his frame. He is still young and his best football is still in front of him.”

Teammates Damon Schmidt and Alex Reams of ADM High School in Adel, Iowa both impressed Goolsby with their effort and thirst for knowledge of the linebacker position. Schmidt is a bit undersized, but according to Goolsby, a very good football player that has great feet and can be slotted at a number of different positions. Goolsby praised Reams for his no-nonsense approach to the game and his ideal frame as a middle linebacker or fullback. He only regrets the academy could not have been full contact for Reams.

Kendal Dean (Muskegon, MI/Muskegon) was the most polished pure cover corner of the group. He has a solid grasp of the position in terms of both responsibility as well as technique. Size will be his only question with recruiters.

Teammates Bryce Lamore and Dylan Lergner (Kankakee, IL/Bishop McNamara) both proved to be versatile athletes on the defensive ball. Lamore came in as a safety, but impressed Goolsby with his ability to play the corner position.

”Lamore has the size to bump receivers at the line of scrimmage, and speed to cover them downfield,” Goolsby said.

”He’s an intriguing prospect at corner given that he is six-feet-tall. Lergner has great size for the defensive side of the ball and played with great range and flexibility.”

All in all, there was plenty of talent on display in the Windy City as DeBartolo Sports University made its inaugural stop. We look forward to following the progress of many of the athletes, and look forward to their personal growth in attaching their talent and work ethic with all of our future events in Chicago.

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