The Sound Mind Sound Body Michigan Showcase concluded on Dec. 28 at Ford Field, with a 7-on-7 tournament conducted to close out the day.
Over the course of three drill-filled sessions on the final day, the Showcase attendees were broken up into groups based on position, and each group was trained by former players and/or coaches with expertise at the given position.
The offensive linemen were trained by a group of coaches, including Keith Barbee from Hoggs Gone Wild and Detroit Mumford’s Julian Carter. Below is some background info on the top O-linemen from the Showcase, as well as a critique of each OL by Barbee:
Eli Haidamous – The 2020 prospect from Holt stands at 6-foot-3, 280 pounds. Along with playing football, he’s a member of both the Holt basketball and track & field teams.
Barbee’s critique: Good size, good feet and takes coaching very well. Plays multiple positions on the offensive and defensive line. Also lines up at fullback.
Ben Simmons – The 2021 prospect from Birmingham Groves currently stands at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds. Along with playing football, he plays defense on the Groves lacrosse team.
According to Simmons, his best skill on the football field is his ability to read the defense and to react almost immediately to the defense presented by the opposition.
Barbee’s critique: Good height, great athlete, great length and tremendous upside.
Davion Weatherspoon – The 2021 prospect from Harper Woods currently stands at 6-foot-2, 285 pounds. He’s already received what he considers a “dream offer” from Michigan.
According to Weatherspoon, his best skill on the football field is blocking anybody who lines up in front of him and driving them down the field.
Barbee’s critique: Very physical at the point of attack, great size and pretty good athlete.
IM A dangerous man ?? #2021 @SMSBFootball pic.twitter.com/7ScpsegAUh
— ?????? ???????????? ? (@Davionweathers2) December 29, 2018
Jemarrlowe Sykes – The 2020 prospect from Harper Woods stands at 6-foot-1, 245 pounds. Along with playing football, he plays basketball, and swims.
According to Sykes, his best intangible is having powerful and quick hands.
Barbee’s critique: Vocal leader, good athleticism, raw and takes coaching very well.
Neil Shaw – The 2020 prospect from Romeo stands at 6-foot-1, 265 pounds. Along with playing football, he’s a member of the Romeo track & field team.
According to Shaw, his best skill on the football field is his ability to read what the opposition is presenting to him defensively.
Along with getting it done on the gridiron, Shaw excels inside the classroom. He possesses a 3.5 GPA, while taking honors and AP courses. And on top of that, he scored a highly impressive 1120 on the SAT.
Barbee’s critique: Great athleticism, high IQ, extremely coachable and a technician.
William Hunt – The 2025 prospect from Canada, who is the shortest lineman of the top O-linemen from the Showcase, is quite raw right now. But as he continues to grow and hone his craft, he should be expected to become a highly effective high school lineman.
Barbee’s critique: Raw but very coachable.
Myron Lewis – The 2020 prospect from Burbank (Ill.) St. Laurence stands at 5-foot-11, 280 pounds. Along with playing football, he’s a member of the St. Laurence bowling and track teams.
According to Lewis, his best intangible is being able to adapt when times get rough on the field.
Along with being an effective O–lineman, Lewis is proud to sport a 3.5 GPA.
Barbee’s critique: Great strike, great body control, great athleticism and very coachable.
Kenneth Manley Jr. – The 2020 prospect from Oak Park stands at 6-feet tall, 268 pounds.
According to Manley, his best intangible is his technique.
Barbee’s critique: Good feet, great athleticism and overall solid.
Craig Rush – The 2020 prospect from Detroit Cass Tech stands at 6-foot-6, 360 pounds. Along with playing football, he’s a member of the Cass Tech baseball team.
According to Rush, his best intangible is being quick on his feet, and his best skill on the football field is being able to pull and get out in the open field to continue to block.
Barbee’s critique: Great size, powerful, destructive at the point of attack and good athleticism.
? @SMSBFootball pic.twitter.com/u9hRCWmuFg
— Craig Rush (@cmike528) December 30, 2018
Drew Sueta – The 2020 prospect from Trenton stands at 6-feet tall, 200 pounds. Along with playing football, he’s competed on the Trenton track team in shot put and discus.
Barbee’s critique: Plays with tremendous heart, great athleticism and coachable.
