New NPA camp series starts with big turnout
NASHVILLE --- Taking the state's longest consecutively running camp and training program to a new level, Nashville-based National Playmakers Academy recently unleashed its first-ever series of spring camps in leading into its annual May statewide showcase event.
Hosting a linemen camp at Tennessee State, with instruction from the usual staff members such as Maurice Fitzgerald, Cedrick Wilson, Buck Fitzgerald and more, NPA also enlisted NFL linemen James Stone and Antonio 'Tiny' Richardson for the camp at Tennessee State, which drew a crowd of more than 100 participants ranging from rising freshmen through rising seniors in high school.
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And a name long on the radar in East Tennessee popped up to show out at the NPA linemen event: Sweetwater standout Bailey Byrum. A 6-foot-7, 315-pounder in the 2016 class with an improving skill-set to match his prodigious frame, Byrum garnered MVP honors at the event and prompted strong praise from the NPA staff.
"Bailey dominated all day at the tackle position in one-on-one drills versus edge rushers," Buck Fitzgerald told VolQuest.com. "He was consistent in his footwork in position drills and showed great movement for a giant of a man he is.
"Bailey's hearing from multiple Power 5 schools such as Tennessee, Purdue, Pitt and Arkansas within the last few days, and I only expect that to continue to pick up."
Defensively, the top overall performer along the front went to Midstate standout Brandon Adams, a 6-2 295-pounder ('16) from Brentwood Academy.
"Brandon continued his dominant offseason camp performance; he remained unblockable from the DT position in one-on-one drills versus guards and centers," Fitzgerald continued. "Brandon even showed his athletic ability by winning on the outside as an edge rusher."
For names to watch in future classes who garnered acclaim, see Underclassman OL MVP Ian Kane, 6-2, 250, 2018, from Davidson Academy and Underclassman DL MVP Dean Steely, a 6-footer who measured in at 250.
Other notable performances, per the NPA staff, included:
Top Performers
Ben Hutch 6-3, 300, 17' DT Hillsboro High
NPA: Hutch was overall the best prospect at the camp and showed why he has multiple SEC offers.
Tyler Hill 6-4, 285, 17' OT/OG Montgomery Central High
NPA: Tyler has the tools to be one of the top prospects in the state in the 17' class.
Top Underclassmen:
NPA: These four prospects performed at upperclassman levels, and we believe all four are sure to have multiple offers very shortly from major programs.
Chandon "Bam" Page 6-3, 280, 18' OT Pearl-Cohn High School
Andrew Waters 6-3, 250, 19' OL Hendersonville High
Jackson Lampley 6-3, 260, 19' OT MBA
Austin Hamblin 6-2, 250, 19' OL/DL Hendersonville High
Other names in various classes that left the NPA crew impressed were: Korey Tillman-6'2" 245lb 16' DE Blackman High; Nicholas Scott 6'2" 270lbs OG/DT 16' John Paul II; Daly Cull 6'1" 280lbs DT/OG 17' Hendersonville High; Ty McKibben 6'2" 280lbs 16' Center Stratford High.