Under Armour All-America Game: All effort team by position
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Under Armour All-America Game brings out the best of the best in high school football. Even with as much talent as is on the field this year, nothing grabs the attention of a coaching staff as much as effort.
On3 is ready to hand out some all out effort awards after the first pair of practices.
Running back
Jovantae Barnes, Las Vegas (Nevada) Desert Pines
The On3 consensus four-star back is never one to shy away from reps, or working to get better. And that has carried over this week to the Under Armour practices. Barnes will always jump to the front of a line to take an extra snap. Barnes is scheduled to announce his commitment during the game January 2 with Oklahoma the favorite over USC and Florida State.
Wide receiver
Luther Burden, Saint Louis (Mo.) East St. Louis
Not all of the top ranked skill players will take extra reps. That is the opposite with the Missouri signee. It’s easy to tell that this is business trip for Burden. He wants every rep possible, and is looking to beat every defensive back lined up across from him. The On3 Consensus five-star has the look of an impact, multi-year starter for the Tigers.
Offensive line
OL, Tyler Booker, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Not many lineman get the “OL” tag these days. It’s separated into OT and IOL, but that’s not the case for the future Alabama lineman. Booker has lined up at left tackle, left guard and right tackle through two days of practice. And he has excelled at every spot. There are better athletes on the offensive line in this game, but there aren’t any giving sustained effort to the level of Booker. The early enrollee has the frame, and mindset to push for playing time early in Tuscaloosa.
IOL, Devon Campbell, Arlington (Texas) Bowie
Just the fact that the five-star was willing to play emergency center as a left hander should place him on the list. Then there is the all out competitive spirit on every rep. And the drive to play through the whistle on every rep when some others do not. Campbell would also play defensive tackle in a pinch if asked to do so. There is plenty of energy and effort with Campbell.
Defensive line
Ernest Cooper IV, Arlington (Texas) Bowie
The Stanford signee will never lack for effort. Every step and movement has a purpose. Cooper has consistently received praise through two practices for his effort level, and ability to be coached. Make no mistake, the ability to be coached is also indicative of of a player maximizing effort.
EDGE
Justice Finkley, Trussville (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville
Finkley is very much like Earnest Cooper. There will be nothing left in the tank after every snap. The Texas signee has energy before the snap, energy in his stance, and then he explodes out of his stance with one-hundred percent effort. Finkley drew very high praise from the Team Icons coaching staff after each practice.
Linebacker
Harold Perkins, Cypress (Texas) Cy Park
The On3 Consensus five-star will line up at both linebacker and running back in the game January 2. He’s a player that played both ways the last two seasons at Cy Park, and is always moving full speed. Perkins personality can be a bit misleading as he is laid back and will often times act nonchalant, but don’t mistake that for a lack of effort on the field. Perkins is a hyper competitive. He will announce out of Texas A&M, Texas and LSU during the game January 2.
Safety
Bryce Anderson, Beaumont (Texas) West Brook
There aren’t many as competitive as the Texas A&M signee. Anderson will do whatever is asked, and does so with a competitive fire. He will line up at corner, nickel, safety and wildcat quarterback in the game January 2 if asked to do so.
Cornerback
Jeadyn Lukus, Mauldin (S.C.) Mauldin
The future Clemson Tiger is always ready for the next rep. He jumps to the front of the line, and shows a real hunger to improve. The Team Icons defensive back coaches have mentioned his effort on more than one occasion. Lukus hasn’t quit on plays when initially beaten this week. He’s continued to battle through the whistle.
Charles Power contributed to this report.