IMG Madden Football Academy Kickoff Weekend

By Josh Clark
Special to MaxPreps.com

The IMG Madden Football Academy started 2011 with a bang with our annual KICKOFF WEEKEND featuring over 75 athletes from 15 different states. It marked the official start to the selection process of the 2011 IMG All-Madden Team.

"It was another special weekend at the IMG Madden Football Academy," said director Chris Weinke. "You could not have asked for better weather or a better group of coachable, talented athletes. I was blessed to have great teachers surrounding me at each position to provide the ultimate training environment for athletes to be taught the proper techniques and fundamentals. I want to personally thank all athletes and their families in attendance for being a part of our 2011 KICKOFF WEEKEND, and look forward to monitoring the progress of each of those individuals."

Providing a first class learning environment with position-specific instruction and structured group competition, a group of prominent coaches selected the following award winners.

CAMP MVP

RB Antonio Ford
Coon Rapids (Coon Rapids, Minn.)
5'9 195 lbs. / Class of 2012

"Antonio reminds me of Dave Meggett while I coached with the New York Giants," said IMG Madden Football Academy running backs coach George Sefcik. "He has good size, excellent speed, and hands to go with it. Without seeing him run in pads I was not able to get a good read on his pad level, but anytime we worked with a blocking sled, he drove it back. He's got some pop in his hips."

OFFENSIVE MVP

WR Ricky Jones
Booker (Sarasota, Fla.)
5’10 175 lbs. / Class of 2012

“When talking about wide receiver prospects across the country, you can put Ricky Jones in the elite category,” Weinke said.  “He has great burst off the line, can stop on a dime and change directions, and great leaping ability to go up and get the ball.   As a quarterback, he’s a receiver that you know every time he’s on the field he is going to be a target for you.  I expect every college in the country to take a strong look at Ricky.”


(CO)-DEFENSIVE MVP

LB Ryan Riedel
Cabell Midland (Ona, W. Va.)
6'0 215 lbs / Class of 2012

"Ryan is a really smart player," said IMG Madden Football Academy linebackers coach Howard Tippett. "We only played cover 1, cover 2, and cover 3 during the weekend but had quite a few different looks given to us by the offense. Ryan made the correct calls and had everyone in the right position every time. He has good feet and change of direction. He's a good looking middle linebacker prospect."


CB Ezra Robinson  
Booker (Sarasota, Fla.)
6'1 185 lbs / Class of 2012

"Ezra is a very explosive athlete," said IMG Madden Football Academy defensive backs coach Mike Hawthorne. "He is a rangy defensive back who can cover great distance on the ground, provide a strong initial punch at the line scrimmage with his long arms to jam a receiver, and he has tremendous leaping ability. If the ball is up in the air and he leaves the ground; he's going to get it. Ezra has all the tools to be a special defensive back at corner or safety."

OFFENSIVE BIG MAN MVP

OL Ian Koch
Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater, Fla.)
6'3 270 lbs / Class of 2012

"Ian is a guy that once we get into practice #3 and #4, you could see making big strides on the field," said IMG Madden Football Academy offensive line coach Tom Nutten. "He has good size, great strike, and really utilizes the length of his arms for separation. He has great aggression at the point of attack, and really showed he can be a nasty player. He performed as well as any offensive that have come thru our camps, and projects well at either guard or center."

DEFENSIVE BIG MAN MVP

DL Lonnie Scott
St. Edward's (Vero Beach, Fla.)
6'3 225 lbs / Class of 2012

"Lonnie is a very good, physical athlete," said IMG Madden Football Academy defensive line coach Tom Pratt. "He's an up field player with long arms, quickness, and great balance. He has the size and mobility to be a good prospect at the next level. He adapted very well to the technique coached at the camp this weekend."

The IMG Madden Football Academy also recognizes the following Class of 2012 prospects in attendance recommended by the IMG Madden Football coaching staff as college prospects.

QB Charlie McElveen (6'2 210 lbs) – IMG Pendleton School (FL)

"Charlie is a good athlete with great arm strength and accuracy. He lacks proven game experience but has great mental aptitude with a 4.0 GPA and 31 on the ACT to transition smoothly and quickly to the next level. He has the ability to fit into a number of offensive schemes."

QB Trenton Miller (6'0 200 lbs) – Williamsville East (East Amherst, N.Y.)

"Trenton is a developing pocket passer," Weinke said. "He can move his feet well within the pocket. He has an opportunity to develop into a big-time prospect."

QB Anthony Maddie (6'2 190 lbs) – Aurora Christian (Aurora, Ill.)

"Anthony is a naturally gifted athlete," commented Weinke. "He makes plays with his feet and has shown great improvement with his accuracy and possesses above average arm strength."

QB Andrew Steinemann (6'3 210 lbs) – Belleview (Belleview, Fla.)

QB Garrett Dubose (6'1 185 lbs) – Lafayette (Mayo, Fla.)

WR Michael Price (6'2 195 lbs) – Broad Run (Ashburn, Va.)

"I really liked Michael's size at the receiver position," said IMG Madden Football Academy wide receiver and tight ends coach Pat Carter. "He is a big, physical type that uses his strength well to overpower defensive backs. He has good ability to get off jams. If he can continue to improve his footwork and route running, he can be a big-time prospect."

TE Michael Kalaman (6'3 215 lbs) – Trinity Prep (Winter Park, Fla.)

"Michael has a good frame and mobility to effectively be a target and move well inside the interior of a defense," Carter said. "He frames the ball well, and has nice, soft hands. He really impressed me with his ability to catch the football."

OL Hunter Hinson (6'4 275 lbs) – Seminole (Sanford, Fla.)

"Hunter is a very smart player along the line," said Nutten. "He listens well, and really made great strides and demonstrated his coach-ability with the improvement shown as the weekend progressed. He has good feet, and is a hard-working athlete. He needs to continue to work on becoming a more fluid athlete."

DL Reid Moore (6'2 235 lbs) – Trinity Prep (Winter Park, Fla.)

"Reid plays with very quick feet and hands," said Pratt. "He is an upfield player and plays with a strong football base. He really adapted well to the coaching provided and made great improvements with his pass rush technique."

DE Jamal Kearney (6'2 195 lbs) – Braden River (Bradenton, Fla.)

LB Daqual Randall (6'0 215 lbs) – Palmetto (Palmetto, Fla.)

"Daqual has really good athletic ability," said Tippett. "He is a hard-working athlete and has a great personality on the field. He really moves well and has great feet. He has an opportunity to be a good player at the next level."

LB Jack Santini (5'11 190 lbs) – St. Edward's (Vero Beach, Fla.)

DB Brian Ragone (5'11 170 lbs) – Out-of-Door Academy (Sarasota, Fla.)

"Brian is a quick, smart player in the secondary," said Hawthorne. "He really knows how to use his tools on the field and continually puts himself in the best position to make a play. He has great ball skills and deceptive athleticism to be playmaker on the defensive side of the ball."

K Aleem Sunanon(5'9 160 lbs) – Olympia (Orlando, Fla.)

“One of the most promising 2012 prospects in Florida, Aleem is an impressive combo kicker/punter,” said IMG Madden Football Academy kicking instructor Brandon Kornblue. “Very high academic level. Smooth, consistent technique as a kicker and improving as a punter. With improved consistency off the ground, he could be a top D1 prospect.”

The IMG Madden Football Academy will take the selection process for the 2011 IMG All-Madden Team on the road as part of the Under Armour Combine Weekend. Athletes will have an opportunity to be objectively and subjectively evaluated for consideration of being named to the team by attending the Under Armour High School Training Camp on each Saturday. Visit http://www.uacombines.com to view a complete schedule and to register.