SHOWCASE SERIES

One of the founding purposes of Students With Aspiring Goals (S.W.A.G) is to provide national exposure to local student athletes.  This was partly accomplished through the S.W.A.G.’s Showcase Series.  The goal of S.W.A.G’s Showcase Series was to go to underexposed areas and identify athletic talent.  The Showcase had three stops: Stockton, CA, May, 3rd; Atwater, CA, May 10th; and culminated in Reno, NV, May 31st.  The Showcase was attended by 130 student athletes.  The top performers at each camp received an invite to S.W.A.G’s 1st Annual Elite Camp to be held in the beautiful Yosemite July 31st through August 2nd. 

Showcase Series Recap:

May 3, 2014-Stockton, CA

The Stockton Showcase was by far the most athletic group of the series.  Lincoln High School athlete Mark Russell stole the show.  Russell arrived late to the camp because he was completing the SAT.  He showed blazing speed in the shuttle testing.  Another top performer was Lincoln’s DE/TE Jordan McMiller.  McMiller showed why colleges are recruiting him during his 1 on 1 play. The 6’2” 220 lb linebacker showed great athleticism and speed. Defensive back Cutrell Harrison-Haygood of Stagg High School showed great change of direction in his play during 1 on 1’s.  A surprise top performer was Ruben Lee.  Ruben Lee is a rising star from the Stockton area and is only in eighth grade.  Ruben demonstrated a willingness to compete against all comers, including high school athletes. 

Invites:

·         Mark Russell-ATH, Lincoln High School

·         Jordan McMiller-DE/TE, Lincoln High School

·         Cutrell Haygood-Harris-DB/WR, Stagg HS

·         Eric Kranh-RB/DB, Stagg HS

·         Damian Paulo-QB, Patterson HS

·         Ruben Lee-RB/DB, Morada Jr. High

·         Yates Hunter-LB/TE, Lincoln HS

·         Dusty Frampton-LB/RB, St. Mary’s

 

May 10, 2014-Atwater, CA

The Atwater Showcase had great talent.  Pacheco star LB/RB Frank Ginda came out and competed.  Ginda’s testing was by far the best overall of all the Showcase Series.  His results were 40yd- 4.6 , Shuttle- 4.3, Vertical- 33.5, and Bench Press (185 pd)-24.  S.W.A.G got a chance to see Buhach Colony’s TE/LB Jace Alcazar in action.  Alcazar will likely be taking Ginda’s position on S.W.A.G’s elite 7 on 7 team next year.  “Jace can move.  He has size, he is quick on his feet, and is very coachable,” stated S.W.A.G’s Director DeVon Hilliard.  Defensive backs Aundre Sherman and Deontae Smith were very impressive during 1 on 1’s and 7 on 7.  Sherman who plays at Buhach Colony High School is a big physical corner who dominated the 7 on 7 season this spring.  Colleges are recruiting Sherman heavily.  Smith a freshman who recently transferred from Los Banos High School to Pacheco High School did not disappoint.  The rising star showed he can play with minimal over the top help.   “This kid continues to impress me.  He is an athlete that has never played cornerback before, and he held his own against receivers who are going to big time colleges this spring,” stated Hilliard.  Buhach Colony QB Brandon Sanchez made some good throws.  Sanchez who transferred from Merced High School to Buhach Colony High School will add a dimension to Buhach’s offense that opponents are not used to.  The dual threat quarterback should get on college’s radar after a couple of games into next season.  The surprise of the camp was Atwater High School Sophomore WR Josh Wilson.  He showed great separation and made some impressive catches.

Invites:

·         Frank Ginda-LB, Pacheco High School

·         Deontae Smith-DB/RB, Pacheco High School

·         Josh Wilson-WR/DB, Atwater High School

·         Isaiah Montanez-RB/DB, Golden Valley High School

·         Mark Hooker-OL/DL, Stone Ridge Christian

·         Isaac Perez-OL/DL, Atwater High School

·         Ryan Valentine-RB/LB, Atwater High School

·         Brandon Sanchez-QB, Buhach Colony High School

·         Aundre Sherman-DB/WR, Buhach Colony High School

·         Jace Alcazar- LB/TE, Buhach Colony High School

·         Matt Vargas-DE/TE, Gregori High School

·         Andre Mayfield-ATH, Buhach Colony High School

·         Julian Diaz-RB/DB, Le Grand Jr. High

 

May 31, 2014-Reno, NV

The last Showcase which was the largest did not disappoint.  The highlight of the camp was the linemen challenge.  The obstacle course included agilities, weight carrying, and sled pushing.  On top of being very competitive, the challenge was extremely entertaining.  The overall winner of the lineman challenge was won by North Valley HS TE/DE 6’2” 210 lb Nathyn Wood.  Wood edged out Douglas High School’s DL Andrew Jensen.  Jensen looked spectacular during 1 on 1 competition on both sides of the ball.  Reed HS TE/DE Parker Houston looked great in all aspects of his game.  The QB group was by far the biggest of all showcases.  6’3” 200 lb QB Jackson Gilmore, out of Reed HS, threw well under the instruction of QB coach Rod Robison.  Gilmore looked the most polished out of all QB’s who participated  in the Showcase Series.  Making the drive from Folsom, CA was freshman WR Drake Stallworth.  The rising star showed his versatility at the WR position.  Another WR that impressed was Galena’s High School Freshman, Bryan Madison.  Madison made some great catches.  North Valley High School’s Melando Cupachero looked fantastic during testing and 1 on 1’s.  He received an invite to the elite camp as an athlete.  “I can’t wait to see this kid with the ball in his hand.  He plays quarterback in his high school system, but can play anywhere on the field,” stated Hilliard.  Linebacker Colin Crown from McQueen High School was impressive at the linebacker position.  “The Reno Showcase was very impressive.  The Reno area was very welcoming to S.W.A.G.   We want to thank Coach Rollins Stallworth for organizing everything for the area.  Also, McQueen High School’s Head Coach, Mr. Snelling was a big part in making this happen,” stated Hilliard.

Invites:

·         Andrew Jensen DL/OL-Douglas High School

·         Colin Crown LB/TE-McQueen High School

·         Melando Cachapero ATH-North Valley High School

·         Drake Stallworth WR/DB-Folsom High School

·         Parker Houston TE/DE-Edward C. Reed High School

·         Justin Mardis DB/WR-McQueen High School

·         Bryan Madison WR/DB- Galena High School

·         Sonny Robison QB-Galena High School

·         Nathyn Wood TE/DE-North Valley High School

·         Ryley McConn-TE/DE- Bishop Manogue

·         Colby Brown- RB/DB- Carson High School

 

Notes from the Camp Director Brett Nickelson:

“The S.W.A.G. Showcase Series was very successful.  We identified some hidden talent at all of our camps.  We also preached academics to all of our camp participants.  Exposing talent does not mean anything, unless we are exposing athletes that qualify to enter college.  S.W.A.G is all about the overall student athlete, and we feel that we reached the kids and expressed the importance of staying on the right track.  I am excited to see all of these kids at the elite camp.  If a kid did not make the elite camp, it should be determination to get better.”