[OutsiderFan]

Made a post on this in recruiting thread, but thought it deserved it's own thread.  Watching highlights of new RB commit Dorian Maddox from Gilman School, I thought I noticed the Paramus Catholic logo on the field,  So I did some digging and found these two programs routinely play each other, including this past season, and there is a youtube video of the game too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCy5KUtnN68

The opportunity to see Maddox and Devery Hamilton play against Donald Stewart and #1 national recruit Rashan Gary was too much for me to pass up, so I watched it.  Here are my observations:

Gilman School RB/LB #1 Dorian Maddox
The clear player of the game.  He made plays on O and D.  He's powerfully built, plays with great physicality and is plenty fast enough.  What I like is his low pad level when he runs.  He's short to start, so nothing but helmet, pads and knees for oncoming tacklers to hit.  Had a great interception on a flat pass and, then a nice run on ensuing Gilman snap that setup a TD.  The pick was the game changing moment of the game as Gilman trailed 10-0 and won 41-17. 

Have to say when I heard Stanford got a 2 star RB commit with no impressive offers, I was a little non-plussed.  After watching this game, I can't understand why he doesn't have more offers.  The kid is flat out a tough, physical, football player and a pretty damn good athlete.

Gilman School LT #74 Devery Hamilton
Didn't do much to really stand out, but he was never beaten for a sack and seemed to execute his blocks well.  He was matched up against #1 national recruit, DL Rashan Gary several times and seemed to win or at least get a stalemate every time.  Gilman did run well to his side, but their whole OL was good.

Paramus Catholic WR #8 Donald Stewart
Honestly, I was most anticipating seeing Stewart.  He is quite good.  For a guy 6-4 he really has quick feet to run precise routes and make guys miss after catching it.  Also like how he catches the ball, away from his body.  Stewart didn't have many catches, but he converted a 3rd down with a great grab diving back to the QB, and scored a TD on a 4th down quick curl, where he broke a tackle, made a guy miss and took it in the EZ from 20 yards out.  He had another near TD grab on kind of a jump ball, but had his foot out.

Paramus Catholic DL #3 Rashan Gary
No, not a Stanford commit, but Stanford did offer, and he is the #1 ranked recruit in the country...  I sure hope he was hurt or sick in that game, because I simply don't understand how a guy so renowned could have less of an impact in a high school football game. The #1 player in the country should jump off the screen, as a DL he should be un-blockable, should have some TFLs, and wreak havoc.  Can't say he dominate him, but Devery Hamilton had no problem neutralizing Gary.  Honestly, Jovan Swann looked more impressive to me in the Indiana State Championship game. 

I know one game does not an evaluation make on a player, but based on one game, I'd rank them:

1. Maddox
2. Stewart
3. Hamilton
4. Gary

[OutsiderFan]

Made a post on this in recruiting thread, but thought it deserved it's own thread.  Watching highlights of new RB commit Dorian Maddox from Gilman School, I thought I noticed the Paramus Catholic logo on the field,  So I did some digging and found these two programs routinely play each other, including this past season, and there is a youtube video of the game too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCy5KUtnN68

The opportunity to see Maddox and Devery Hamilton play against Donald Stewart and #1 national recruit Rashan Gary was too much for me to pass up, so I watched it.  Here are my observations:

Gilman School RB/LB #1 Dorian Maddox
The clear player of the game.  He made plays on O and D.  He's powerfully built, plays with great physicality and is plenty fast enough.  What I like is his low pad level when he runs.  He's short to start, so nothing but helmet, pads and knees for oncoming tacklers to hit.  Had a great interception on a flat pass and, then a nice run on ensuing Gilman snap that setup a TD.  The pick was the game changing moment of the game as Gilman trailed 10-0 and won 41-17. 

Have to say when I heard Stanford got a 2 star RB commit with no impressive offers, I was a little non-plussed.  After watching this game, I can't understand why he doesn't have more offers.  The kid is flat out a tough, physical, football player and a pretty damn good athlete.

Gilman School LT #74 Devery Hamilton
Didn't do much to really stand out, but he was never beaten for a sack and seemed to execute his blocks well.  He was matched up against #1 national recruit, DL Rashan Gary several times and seemed to win or at least get a stalemate every time.  Gilman did run well to his side, but their whole OL was good.

Paramus Catholic WR #8 Donald Stewart
Honestly, I was most anticipating seeing Stewart.  He is quite good.  For a guy 6-4 he really has quick feet to run precise routes and make guys miss after catching it.  Also like how he catches the ball, away from his body.  Stewart didn't have many catches, but he converted a 3rd down with a great grab diving back to the QB, and scored a TD on a 4th down quick curl, where he broke a tackle, made a guy miss and took it in the EZ from 20 yards out.  He had another near TD grab on kind of a jump ball, but had his foot out.

Paramus Catholic DL #3 Rashan Gary
No, not a Stanford commit, but Stanford did offer, and he is the #1 ranked recruit in the country...  I sure hope he was hurt or sick in that game, because I simply don't understand how a guy so renowned could have less of an impact in a high school football game. The #1 player in the country should jump off the screen, as a DL he should be un-blockable, should have some TFLs, and wreak havoc.  Can't say he dominate him, but Devery Hamilton had no problem neutralizing Gary.  Honestly, Jovan Swann looked more impressive to me in the Indiana State Championship game. 

I know one game does not an evaluation make on a player, but based on one game, I'd rank them:

1. Maddox
2. Stewart
3. Hamilton
4. Gary

[Hulk01]

Terrific report.  I am a Maddox fan, too, and have written at controversial length about it on TOS.  You saw what I saw: tough as hell, and that low pad level and defender hates to see coming through the line.  Worst case for me: he's the new Jeremy Stewart who we've needed ever since Jeremy Stewart.  Remound was very good in short yardage, but Stewart was almost automatic.

I love tackles with great feet--guys who look like they could shed 30 pounds and play tight end.  When I see him on tape, I think of another northeasterner we pursued, but an OLB, if that seems possible: Dickerson. 

I like Stewart a lot, too.  Someone labelled him this year's Connor Crane, a player to whom Stewart bears no resemblance other than the distance between the top of his head and the ground on which he is standing.  Crane was a one-trick pony in high school, with the trick being a skinny post from the Z receiver spot.  Stewart, by contrast, makes spectacular one-handed catches and runs fades, crossing patterns, and bubbles, and often gets yards after the catch, even pulling the DB along behind him for extra yards.

And if Hamilton can neutralize Gary, he's as advertised.  And he's got a great body at his age--big broad shoulders and thick traps, a more agile and athletic Cameron Fleming I think.

Again, excellent and insightful report.

And one more: Paramus Catholic's coach has said that Stewart has as much upside as anyone he's ever coached, and he coached Jabril Peppers. 

[Hulk01]

Terrific report.  I am a Maddox fan, too, and have written at controversial length about it on TOS.  You saw what I saw: tough as hell, and that low pad level and defender hates to see coming through the line.  Worst case for me: he's the new Jeremy Stewart who we've needed ever since Jeremy Stewart.  Remound was very good in short yardage, but Stewart was almost automatic.

I love tackles with great feet--guys who look like they could shed 30 pounds and play tight end.  When I see him on tape, I think of another northeasterner we pursued, but an OLB, if that seems possible: Dickerson. 

I like Stewart a lot, too.  Someone labelled him this year's Connor Crane, a player to whom Stewart bears no resemblance other than the distance between the top of his head and the ground on which he is standing.  Crane was a one-trick pony in high school, with the trick being a skinny post from the Z receiver spot.  Stewart, by contrast, makes spectacular one-handed catches and runs fades, crossing patterns, and bubbles, and often gets yards after the catch, even pulling the DB along behind him for extra yards.

And if Hamilton can neutralize Gary, he's as advertised.  And he's got a great body at his age--big broad shoulders and thick traps, a more agile and athletic Cameron Fleming I think.

Again, excellent and insightful report.

And one more: Paramus Catholic's coach has said that Stewart has as much upside as anyone he's ever coached, and he coached Jabril Peppers. 

[Treebound]

Terrific insights, gentlemen!  Thank you both.  I'm really thrilled that Shaw and staff are identifying great recruits with mental and physical toughness, smarts and tremendous upside.  I too, looked at Maddux in the recruiting rags and went...ok.    Sounds like he's determined to work hard and make an impact, no matter the situation.    I've seen this movie before!    I'm looking forward to seeing how this class closes out tomorrow!

[Treebound]

Terrific insights, gentlemen!  Thank you both.  I'm really thrilled that Shaw and staff are identifying great recruits with mental and physical toughness, smarts and tremendous upside.  I too, looked at Maddux in the recruiting rags and went...ok.    Sounds like he's determined to work hard and make an impact, no matter the situation.    I've seen this movie before!    I'm looking forward to seeing how this class closes out tomorrow!