The regional camp circuit is complete and I was able to attend the Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbus, Nashville, and Chicago camps. It was a fun ride consisting of cold scrambled eggs, rubbery sausage links, copious amounts of black coffee, sunburn, and rental car fees. It was a great ride and I can't wait for the Five Star Challenge. One thing that was different this year was how many Kentucky kids were invited to the camps (pats self on the back) and how many went out and impressed.
Wadale Robinson kicked things off in Columbus winning the WR MVP award. Cameron Jones and Beau Allen impressed there and Izayah Cummings showed that he belonged. In Nashville, Jared Casey stole the show and took home LB MVP. Stephen Herron dominated everyone, losing only one rep out of what seemed like 20 to take home DL MVP and an invite to the Five Star Challenge. Milton Wright was his stellar self and also snatched a Five Star Challenge invite. JJ Weaver out maneuvered and overpowered lineman all day, Trel Riley locked down receivers, and Franklin-Simpson RB Tre Bass looked really good. Then in Chicago Demontae Crumes finally showed up to a camp and just torched DB's deep all day and by my count caught five touchdowns. Jacob Lacey was also impressive in the Windy City using crafty hand and leverage techniques to consistently get by blockers and smack the bag down.
In the end, Kentucky prospects garnered three positional MVP awards, received two invites to the Five Star Challenge (with three more potential invites looming), and upped the overall star ranking for the 2019 class.
With that being said, here are my predictions for the next rankings:
Stephen Herron gets a slight bump or stays the same, ditto for
Milton Wright
Jacob Lacy did well in Chicago so I expect him to remain a four star.
Bryan Hudson was doing track stuff and we didn't get to lay eyes on him so some guys will probably move up and knock him out of the Rivals250.
Jared Casey is already a four star, he may sneak into the Rivals250.
Wandale Robinson and
JJ Weaver will get four star status and be in the discussion for Rivals250 but I'm not sure if they crack the list.
Demontae Crumes will be a 5.7 three star.
Shawnkell Knight-Goff didn't show up to any of the camps he was invited to so who knows what happens to him star wise, can't see him losing his status but guys will jump him in the state rankings for sure.
Cameron Jones got a bump to 5.7 three star status.
Trel Riley will get a bump to 5.5 three star status.
Aidan Robbins may get a slight bump from 5.5 to 5.6 status.
Sam Vaughn got a bump to a 5.6 three star.
Eli Cox will be a 5.5 three star.
When the new 2020 rankings are published I expect the following things to happen:
Michael Mayer will be a four star.
Beau Allen will probably be a four star.
Octavius Oxendine will be a 5.7 three star.
Izayah Cummings will be a 5.5 three star.
Vito Tisdale will remain a four star.
Walker Parks will be a 5.6 or 5.7 three star.
Dane Jackson will be a 5.5 three star.
If I forgot anyone let me know in the thread.