Weekend takeaways: Elite QB sacrifices, OL dazzles, DB turns heads
This weekend provided a chance to reflect on a few performances from some significant prospects on Thursday and Friday.
Thursday I made the trip to Norcross to watch four-star Lawson Luckie and others face 2024 four-star Champ Thompson and Meadowcreek.
Friday was an adventure into the Appalachian Mountains where the trio of four-stars Chris Peal, Jadyn Davis and David Sanders faced a talented Rabun Gap Nacoochee School team.
There were a lot of things that stood out between those two games. Here are a few of my thoughts.
Four-star Jadyn Davis is more than an elite passer
Davis is in his first season at Providence Day. There’s a clear connection that has been made between he and his new teammates.
Davis has all the passing tools one can ask for. He’s got plenty of arm strength. He can thread the needle and his football IQ is high.
There’s more to his story and ability.
Davis to a hit to his knee on Friday night. He lay on the ground for several minutes just before halftime. He came back in the game after the break and helped lead Providence Day to a win, throwing a touchdown pass with about five minutes left in the game.
Davis threw for 470 yards and three scores on what appeared to be a hampered knee. There is a fierce competitor inside of the No. 17 overall prospect in the class of 2024. He raised his level every time adversity hit.
Winning is all that matters to Davis.
“I love these guys on this football team,” Davis said after the game. “I’ll put any part of my body on the line for these guys. It’s a true PD football family. That’s what we live by. I’d give them the shirt off my back if they needed one. I’d do anything for this team to make us successful.”
It’s felt by his teammates.
“Whoever gets Jadyn is going to be very lucky, not even just on the field but off the field,” 2024 wide receiver Jordan Shipp said. “He does a lot of positive things on and off the field. Whoever gets him is getting a dog.”
David Sanders checks a lot of boxes
One of the first athletes that were noticeable walking into the stadium was Sanders. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound offensive tackle towers over most players. Sanders is the No. 2 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus for the class of 2025.
He didn’t move like he was the largest player on the field. Sanders carries his size like a much smaller athlete. He comes out of his stance and into pass sets with ease.
He’s strong too and plays with a nasty disposition. He was able to throw people around with powerful hands. Sanders plays defensive end as well. His hands and athleticism were on display on that side of the ball as well.
Sanders was credited with two hurries on the night.
Early in Sanders’ recruitment, On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has South Carolina with an edge over NC State. The Gamecocks have a 44% chance of landing the four-star. Sanders sported NC State gloves on Friday night.
Jordan Shipp and Channing Goodwin are big-time pass-catchers
Charlotte (N.C.) Jordan Shipp and Channing Goodwin both shined on Friday night. The junior duo combined for 17 catches, 252 yards and two touchdowns.
Top 10
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Both have seen their recruitment take off in the last few months. They complement each other well. Shipp is a big, strong and physical wideout.
He has strong hands and a willingness to block and run through contact when he has the football. Goodwin is a strong physical player as well but seems to have a tad more explosiveness down the football field.
Goodwin saw a few big play opportunities on Friday night.
Onis Konanbanny is a name to remember
Rabun Gap Nacoochee cornerback Onis Konanbanny looked at home amongst the long list of talented football players on the field for both teams on Friday night.
His 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame matched well against the length of Shipp and Goodwin. He’s a physical player as well. Konanbanny was knocked out of the game late after laying a hit on Shipp that dislodged the talented 2024 wideout’s helmet.
He’s already been on a visit to Clemson in recent weeks. Konanbanny’s upside is pretty high. He is still learning the sport after coming to America from London. He was born in France.
Rabun Gap Nacoochee’s coaching staff has been hearing a lot of college interest coming to the 2025 defensive back.
Lawson Luckie, the complete tight end
Norcross’ four-star tight end did it all on Thursday. His first touch of the game was a rush on a jet sweet. Georgia has made the tight-end jet sweep famous with Brock Bowers in the last two years.
Luckie is also a savage blocker.
He could be seen driving defenders down the field a few times. Luckie also did the pass-catching as well. He showed soft hands on a short catch as well as on a contested touchdown grab down the field over a defender.
Luckie could be an immediate impact prospect at the next level because he already does everything a tight end could be asked to do. He’ll get stronger and bigger over time and his impact will increase as he does.
Names to know
- 2025 quarterback Gavin Owens Rabun Gap Nacoochee
- 2023 running back Jordan Louie Meadowcreek
- 2024 cornerback Jivan Baly Meadowcreek
- 2025 tight end Marshall Pritchett Rabun Gap Nacoochee
- 2023 defensive back Devin Hunter Norcross
- 2023 wide receiver Nakai Poole Norcross
- 2023 wide receiver Zion Taylor Norcross