The FBU Regional Combine returned to Kansas City on Saturday for what has become an annual event at Smithville (MO) High School. There weren’t a lot of noteworthy rising seniors in attendance, but I saw several strong performances from underclassmen.
Quarterback Dalton Cowan, a 6-foot-2, 165-pound sophomore from Topeka (KS) Seaman High School, impressed with his strong arm and accuracy. Working with Elite 11 QB coach Justin Hoover, Cowan put on a show. After starting 10 games last season as a sophomore, the Vikings passer showed a powerful, compact throwing motion, completing balls all over the field. He did especially well on the short to intermediate routes, where he regularly put the ball where only his receiver could make a play. He earned an invitation to the U.S. Army Combine in San Antonio in January.
Raymore (MO) defensive end Anthony Payne is just a sophomore but already 6-foot-2 and 245-pounds. I saw him and thought sure he was a volunteer that was helping out with the camp, not a participant. Physically imposing, especially for a 16-year old, Payne is a gunned-up young man that has already packed a lot of muscle mass onto his frame. He was the best defensive lineman I saw at the event, and he more than held his own against Webb City (MO) offensive tackle and Mizzou commit Trystan Castillo. Payne took at least half of his one-on-ones versus Castillo, showing good quickness off the ball and impressive strength for an underclassman. He also earned an invitation to San Antonio.
Kansas City (MO) Park Hill defensive back Dillon Thomas stood out from the moment he stepped on the field Saturday. A 6-foot-2, 165-pound cornerback, Thomas blanketed every receiver he faced on Saturday, showing good speed and change of direction for a player of his size. His HUDL profile lists a 4.69 40-yard dash, but he played MUCH faster than that at Smithville. Everyone says a kid like that is a safety, but I’m not sure he can put on the kind of weight he would need to change positions. He was impressive, and his ceiling is high. One well-connected high school assistant in attendance said of Thomas, “I’m calling every coach I know and tell them to offer him NOW.” After leaving with an invitation to San Antonio, the 2017 prospect is one to watch this season.
Lee’s Summit (MO) head coach Eric Thomas pointed out T.J. Kennedy to me at last year’s event. A mammoth offensive tackle, Kennedy is already 6-foot-4, 325-pounds and just a freshman. Next to Castillo, the 2018 prospect was the best offensive lineman in attendance this year. Being as that he’s just a freshman, he’s still figuring things out. He occasionally would stop his feet and have to rely on his strength to try and reset against defensive linemen, but for a kid with three years of high school football ahead of him, Kennedy will only get better. He has a frame that will likely do nothing but get bigger as he refines his body and adds muscle as he gets older. A relatively quiet kid, he went about his business and did a very good job against more experienced players. He could blow up with a good showing in San Antonio in January.
A few other guys that I liked and will be following:
· 2016 OLB/DE William Bradley-King – Kansas City (MO) Hogan Prep
· 2016 QB Michael Kilpatrick – Kansas City (MO) Staley
· 2016 WR / DE / K James Sappington – Raymore-Peculiar (MO)
· 2017 DB Peyton Jones - Kansas City (MO) O’Hara
Quarterback Dalton Cowan, a 6-foot-2, 165-pound sophomore from Topeka (KS) Seaman High School, impressed with his strong arm and accuracy. Working with Elite 11 QB coach Justin Hoover, Cowan put on a show. After starting 10 games last season as a sophomore, the Vikings passer showed a powerful, compact throwing motion, completing balls all over the field. He did especially well on the short to intermediate routes, where he regularly put the ball where only his receiver could make a play. He earned an invitation to the U.S. Army Combine in San Antonio in January.
Raymore (MO) defensive end Anthony Payne is just a sophomore but already 6-foot-2 and 245-pounds. I saw him and thought sure he was a volunteer that was helping out with the camp, not a participant. Physically imposing, especially for a 16-year old, Payne is a gunned-up young man that has already packed a lot of muscle mass onto his frame. He was the best defensive lineman I saw at the event, and he more than held his own against Webb City (MO) offensive tackle and Mizzou commit Trystan Castillo. Payne took at least half of his one-on-ones versus Castillo, showing good quickness off the ball and impressive strength for an underclassman. He also earned an invitation to San Antonio.
Kansas City (MO) Park Hill defensive back Dillon Thomas stood out from the moment he stepped on the field Saturday. A 6-foot-2, 165-pound cornerback, Thomas blanketed every receiver he faced on Saturday, showing good speed and change of direction for a player of his size. His HUDL profile lists a 4.69 40-yard dash, but he played MUCH faster than that at Smithville. Everyone says a kid like that is a safety, but I’m not sure he can put on the kind of weight he would need to change positions. He was impressive, and his ceiling is high. One well-connected high school assistant in attendance said of Thomas, “I’m calling every coach I know and tell them to offer him NOW.” After leaving with an invitation to San Antonio, the 2017 prospect is one to watch this season.
Lee’s Summit (MO) head coach Eric Thomas pointed out T.J. Kennedy to me at last year’s event. A mammoth offensive tackle, Kennedy is already 6-foot-4, 325-pounds and just a freshman. Next to Castillo, the 2018 prospect was the best offensive lineman in attendance this year. Being as that he’s just a freshman, he’s still figuring things out. He occasionally would stop his feet and have to rely on his strength to try and reset against defensive linemen, but for a kid with three years of high school football ahead of him, Kennedy will only get better. He has a frame that will likely do nothing but get bigger as he refines his body and adds muscle as he gets older. A relatively quiet kid, he went about his business and did a very good job against more experienced players. He could blow up with a good showing in San Antonio in January.
A few other guys that I liked and will be following:
· 2016 OLB/DE William Bradley-King – Kansas City (MO) Hogan Prep
· 2016 QB Michael Kilpatrick – Kansas City (MO) Staley
· 2016 WR / DE / K James Sappington – Raymore-Peculiar (MO)
· 2017 DB Peyton Jones - Kansas City (MO) O’Hara
