LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The first practice for the Under Armour All-America Game (Wednesday, ESPN, 4 p.m. ET) is in the books as players went through a 90-minute work out at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex on Saturday night. The session was rather uneventful as it included a bunch of install and a limited amount of 1-on-1 and 11-on-11 action. Below we have some top performers and more notes after patrolling the sidelines.
ALPHA DOG: DYLAN STEWART, EDGE (South Carolina)
Stewart didn’t make our “All-Lobby” team from Friday, which was a clear oversight because he looked like an NFL pass rusher in pads. Stewart is listed at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds. That might be accurate, but he’s full of muscle, and should eventually be able to carry 265 pounds or more. Again, there wasn’t a ton of competition in the opening practice, but when Stewart’s team scrimmaged for 10 minutes, he had his way on the edge, generating plenty of push. The highlight of the night for him came when he blew up a jet sweep for a big loss. We have lauded Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks for what they did on the offensive line in the 2024 recruiting cycle with the addition of Josiah Thompson and others, but Stewart is just as big of a win as he has the makeup of a potential game-wrecker in the SEC. It will be exciting to see what he does over the next few days.
NEXT TEN
JAYLEN MBAKWE, CB (Alabama)
Mbakwe won the night’s fastest man competition, first topping Jonathan Paylor in the semifinals and then Ryan Williams in the finals. The MVP of the Yellowhammer State’s 6A state title game played strictly quarterback as a senior, but moved smoothly in defensive back drills and looks like a natural out on the perimeter that can run with anyone.
JOSHISA TRADER, WR (Miami)
We only got routes on air from Trader’s team, but he still caught our eye as he made a number of acrobatic grabs. Trader might have been overshadowed at times by top-ranked wide receiver Jeremiah Smith at Chaminade-Madonna Prep, but he’s a dynamic athlete that tracks the football very well and can produce chunk plays.
MICHAEL UINI, OL (Georgia)
Uini might have been the biggest surprise to the practice. He’s one of the biggest bodies on hand and actually moved better than some of the other big boys assembled during a dynamic warm-up, which asked the players to constantly change directions. UGA’s six-man offensive line is historically big and Uini might arguably have the highest ceiling of the bunch.
XAVIER FILSAIME, S (Texas)
It was hard to get much of a feel for the defensive backs with no 1-on-1s, but Filsaime was one of the best in footwork and weave drills as he exploded out of cuts and chewed up grass at a different speed than most others. Filsaime didn’t generate a ton of turnovers at the prep level, which is certainly notable, but he’s got the tools to make an impact on the backend.
DJ LAGWAY, QB (Florida)
Lagway had what we considered the best night of the five quarterbacks that threw. He got off to a slow start, missing low multiple times early, but picked things up and was able to whip the ball to all different levels of the field with ease. From a physical standpoint, Lagway has the build that everyone covets, and he constantly reminds you of his monster upside with his arm talent.
PERRY THOMPSON, WR (Auburn)
Thompson was Lagway’s go-to target during the abbreviated 11-on-11 period. He showcased one of the key elements of his game when he outmuscled a defensive back at the catch point on a quick slant for a first down. Thompson will need to keep evolving as a player, but it was encouraging to see him find some success on the first night.
CAM COLEMAN, WR (Auburn)
Coleman caught pretty much everything that entered his area code. He’s a naturally long strider that has no issues getting vertical, but we were impressed with how he broke down and drove towards the football on Saturday. Hugh Freeze needs plenty of help on offense and the combination of Thompson and Coleman is just what the doctor ordered.
JORDAN ROSS, EDGE (Tennessee)
Ross had what might have been the only sack of the night when he came screaming around the corner and tagged South Carolina quarterback Dante Reno. There have been some concerns in the past about the lanky, slender frame on Ross, but he looks to have added some much-needed weight in the lower half while keeping the ability to bend.
TERRY BUSSEY, ATH (Texas A&M commit)
Is he a wide receiver or a defensive back? That’s a never ending debate behind the scenes at 247Sports, but one thing is crystal clear after watching Bussey run around Saturday, and that’s the fact that he’s a special talent. Bussey proved to be a smooth route runner with plenty of wiggle that can get to his top gear in the snap of a finger.
AYDIN BRELAND, DL (Oregon)
Breland was one of the best during bag drills for the defensive linemen, flashing both power and twitch in his hips. Breland wasn’t asked to stunt a whole bunch at Mater Dei and never really stuffed the stat sheet, but he moves extremely well for someone his size. It will be interesting to see if he takes over 1-on-1s in the coming practices.
AROUND PRACTICE …
–Ethan Grunkemeyer (Penn State) tossed a nice deep ball and delivered a few dimes down the sidelines. With Julian Sayin (Alabama) helping the Crimson Tide prepare for Monday’s College Football Playoff, it was Grunkemeyer who looked like the second-best signal in attendance, at least Saturday.
–The tight end rooms took a hit with Elija Lofton (Miami) and Caleb Odom (Alabama) both unavailable for the game, but Michael Smith (South Carolina) looked like more than just some replacement as he was essentially a ball-magnet during red zone work. Smith has the dimensions for in-line work, but is also athletic enough to stretch the field.
–Brian Robinson (Kentucky) was a late arrival, but an instant eye-catcher as the teams got off the buss. The defensive end is thick across the chest and can find some leverage. He’s the type of prospect that Mark Stoops & Co. usually squeeze the most out of in Lexington.
Greg Biggins, Allen Trieu, Cooper Petagna, Gaby Urrutia and Christian Clemente of 247Sports all contributed to this report.
