MaxPreps.com Staff Report
LINCOLN, Neb. --- The University of Nebraska's Hawks Championship Center served as the site for Saturday's Recruits Unlimited adidas Elite Camp, featuring nearly 180 athletes from 10 states.
While the participants were certainly the centerpiece of the event, the Cornhuskers' 81,200 square foot indoor facility, which opened last spring, was an added bonus for all in attendance.
"It is one of the best, certainly in the top tier. That adds to the experience for the kids and allows them to really go out there and show their stuff," Recruits Unlimited President Greer Monterastelli said.
With coaches from Chadron State, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Northwest Missouri State, and Washburn looking on, three campers made big impressions Saturday.
Already committed to Nebraska, Lincoln Southwest High's Baker Steinkuhler didn't need a big showing at a camp to attract the attention of college programs, but he delivered one anyway.
"Just the way he moves for his size is really impressive," Monterastelli said. "He was at the U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio in January, and he has even improved from then, he is a little quicker. He did a nice job of getting down and dirty."
Steinkuhler, a MaxPreps All-America honorable mention pick last fall, turned in over 100 tackles on the defensive line for the Silver Hawks as a junior. The 6-5, 275-pound lineman's brother, Ty, is a current member of the Nebraska program, while his father, Dean, won the 1983 Outland Trophy as a Cornhusker before a seven-year career in the NFL.
A pair of out-of-state attendees also opened some eyes in Lincoln. Gardendale (Ala.) linebacker Jonathan Carter and Hot Springs (Ark.) fullback/linebacker Mario Goines flashed next-level ability despite the non-contact nature of the one-day camp.
"We tried to create more one-on-ones for them, but it is tough for the linebackers in a non-contact setting," Monterastelli said. "Both of them showed good speed and great instincts.
"I think the impressive thing is how far they traveled to attend the camp. I think you have to give a lot of credit to their parents for helping their sons get out there and be seen (by college coaches)."
From Lincoln, Recruits Unlimited will head south for the adidas Elite Camp Saturday at the University of Kansas.
