All-American Bowl: These players have impressed with sheer effort
San Antonio, Texas – The All-American Bowl annually brings together more than 90 of the most talented seniors in high school football. With more than 20 players testing positive for COVID upon arrival and being forced to sit out this week, nothing has grabbed the attention of the coaching staff as much as effort.
On3 is ready to hand out some all out effort awards after the first three days of practices.
Wide receiver
Isaiah Bond, Buford (Ga.) Buford
Not all of the top ranked skill players will take extra reps at these events throughout the week. The Alabama signee is the opposite. He hasn’t turned down a rep, or opportunity to get in extra work through the first three days of practice. Bond is providing to be a prospect that is detail oriented in preparing for a practice, and with each rep. This has been a stock up week for Bond after three days of practice.
Offensive line
OL, Hunter Erb, Haslet (Texas) Eaton
The Texas A&M signee is playing mostly left tackle this week on a short handed West line with six players for the first practice, and seven on day two. That means that the 6-foot-6, 325-pounder has been called upon to take plenty of reps with some ups and downs. The effort level has not wained throughout the first pair of practices. On3 projects Erb as a guard at the next level for the Aggies.
IOL, Billy Schrauth, Fond Du Lac (Wi.) St. Mary’s Springs
The future Notre Dame guard will fit right in with the program on the offensive line if this week is any indication. The 6-foot-4, 296-pounder has been first up for reps at right guard all week, and has never had bad body language working on a depleted offensive line on the East Team. Schrauth is the only West lineman to win a 1v1 rep vs. On300 5-star Mykel Williams this week. And while Williams got the best of him on three others, Schrauth was physical, and wanted every opportunity to go up against the best. And no, that is not always the case even in these type of practices.
Defensive line
Mykel Williams, Columbus (Ga.) Hardaway
The On3 Consensus 5-star and Georgia signee didn’t have to approach this week like he had something to prove. Well, he’s done the opposite. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder has been the first in line for drills and reps all week. He has attacked every 1v1 opportunity with energy and physicality. Williams is drawing strong reviews from those associated with the All-America Bowl for his professional approach to the week. Williams was already No. 4 in the On300, and could potentially challenge for the top spot in our final ranking.
EDGE
Nic Caraway, Bryan (Texas) Bryan
Caraway has been a pleasant surprise this week in San Antonio. The 6-foot-3, 258-pound Purdue signee has been tasked with taking reps at defensive tackle as an EDGE prospect this week, and attacked every rep with energy. He has jumped in to take an extra rep in drills when possible on the West Team. A couple of other EDGE prospects have not been so eager to take reps on the interior this week out of necessity, so that magnifies the effort of Caraway even more.
Linebacker
Nolan Ziegler, Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catholic Central
Ziegler is earning the reputation as a big of a wild man on the field this week. And On3 total agrees. The Notre Dame signee has also proven to be one of the more willing team players in the game. It began with flipping from the East Team to West Team to help a depleted roster in the secondary. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder worker out exclusively at safety day one to ensure the West Team could have a practice. That alone lands Ziegler on the all effort team. Players such as Ziegler make a program better on a daily basis with that type of attitude, intensity and effort.
Safety
Xavier Nwankpa, Altoona (Ia.) Southeast Polk
On a depleted West Team, the Iowa signee has been put to the test. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder has taken more reps at safety than any player in recent memory in the all-star practice setting. Being forced into this much action over three days has given the On3 Consensus 4-star the opportunity to work on his craft against a number of Consensus 4-star receivers and running backs. One of the key aspects one picks up on in weeks like this is players taking coaching. Nwankpa is an engaged player with his position coach.
Cornerback
Jaylon Guilbeau, Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial
The Texas early enrollee was the lone cornerback remaining on the West Team after positive COVID tests knocked out teammates prior to the first practice. That meant Guilbeau and safety Trejon Williams would be forced to take every single rep in drills and team sessions. Even with Kyron Chambers being added to the roster for Wednesday practice, Guilbeau took more reps than any other corner on either team. And he did so with positive energy, and played his way into the top performers on Day 2.