The Alliance-Streetsboro scrimmage featured some of the best players in Ohio.
For Alliance, senior tailback Kendell Davis (5-11, 185) was as good as
advertised. Davis combines great speed -- a 4.32 forty -- with great balance and
was clearly the best player on the field. Davis, ranked as one of the best
players in Ohio by Ohio High magazine, ran the ball extremely well in limited
carries for Alliance.
Kendell was also impressive on defense, making a lot of tackles as an outside
linebacker. Davis has several scholarship offers but told me he wants to
play in the Big-10. When asked about choosing a college, Davis said "I'm
going to take my visits. I won't be making a decision until after the season." When asked to
name a top five, Davis replied "Michigan, Purdue, Iowa, Michigan State and
Ohio State."
When I told Alliance head coach Ron Kuceyeski that I was there to see Davis
run, he replied "You better watch him early." Knowing what he has in
Davis, Kuceyeski threw the football a lot, emphasizing the talent of sophomore
QB Charles Baab, also ranked by Ohio High. Baab (6-0, 170) was quite impressive
throwing the football. Baab, who started as a freshman, also showed tremendous
scrambling ability to go with a rocket for an arm. If he continues to improve,
he will be one of the top-rated QB's in the class of 2006.
Baab also started, and starred at cornerback for the Aviators, especially in
run support. When asked about playing defense, Baab replied "I asked the
coaches to let me play defense this year. Last year, they just wanted me to
learn the QB position, but this year I'm going to play both ways."
Baab's top receiving target will be senior WR Chris Banks. Banks (6-3, 175, pictured left)
recently was offered and accepted a scholarship from Indiana. Banks has great
speed (4.55 forty) combined with great hands and should make the Hoosier fans
quite happy he's elected to play college football at Indiana.
It's early in his career, but it appears sophomore linebacker Matt Walker has
a chance to be a good football player. Walker (6-3, 205) made a lot of plays
from his middle linebacker spot. Walker also wrestles and throws the shot and
discus for Alliance. He's a player we will keep an eye on to watch his
development as the season progresses.
I was there mainly to see the Aviators, but came away impressed with
Streetsboro's junior defensive tackle Grant Wilcox. Wilcox (6-4, 295) was a
force in the middle, consistently stopping the run and pressuring the QB. He
appears to play with a lot of intensity and also impressed his coach, John
Arlesic, who spoke highly of Wilcox following the scrimmage.
It was great to see football action again, and I'm looking ahead to Friday,
when I'll be seeing three scrimmages featuring many of the state's top players.