Top performers from Sunday's Under Armour Next Camp in Dallas-Fort Worth

arlington, Texas -- Sunday's Under Armour Next Camp in the dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex featured dozens upon dozens of high-level high school football players showcasing their combine testing athleticism and on-field skill throughout the day. The 247Sports national team had multiple staffers on hand to take in the action, which started with linemen in the morning and progressed to the always-popular receiver vs. DB 1-on-1 reps in the afternoon. Keeping in mind that so many high-caliber players made countless plays during Sunday's camp, here's our rundown of standouts, leading off with our top overall performer and the next 10 who stood out -- five offense and five defense.

ALPHA DOG: KEELON RUSSELL, 2025 TOP247 QB

From the start of passing drills to a lengthy session of throws during WR/DB 1-on-1 work, Duncanville (Texas) 2025 Top247 four-star QB Keelon Russell (SMU commit) ripped it to multiple levels and displayed touch variation that allowed for layering when necessary. Russell ascended to No. 63 overall in the latest 2025 Top247 rankings following an outstanding junior season, which ended in Duncanville's second consecutive Class 6A Division I state championship. Russell threw for nearly 3,500 yards with a sterling 38-3 TD-INT ratio as he completed 72.1 percent of his attempts.

On Sunday, Russell backed up the all-important in-season context with terrific camp context. He provided the best combination of natural, smooth delivery patterns with explosive velocity, in addition to field-stretching vertical juice and situational touch.

NEXT FIVE OFFENSE

-- ELIJAH THOMAS, 2025 TOP247 ATH: Legitimately one of the better two-way prospects in the country's senior-to-be class, Thomas showcased his receiving ability Sunday and made a strong case for long-term offensive duties. The Checotah (Okla.) four-star cut an athletic profile on the hoof and displayed impressive initial acceleration coupled with top-end speed. Thomas combined those traits on one particularly impressive 1-on-1 win that concluded with a difficult, over-the-shoulder ball-tracking assignment he aced. Thomas possesses limitless upside as a sub-11.00 100-meter sprinter, cartoonish 24-foot+ long jumper, and strong two-way production.

-- MICHAEL TURNER, 2025 TOP247 RB: Every time we see Turner live we come away impressed. The North Richland Hills (Texas) Richland playmaker has caught only 31 passes across his first three high school seasons, but once again Sunday displayed encouraging pass-catching acumen relative to his in-season counting stats. A would-be "All-Lobby" candidate, Turner consistently beat linebackers in coverage, and would have made even more catches if not for some errant throws.

-- JOHN TURNTINE III, 2026 OT: North Crowley (Texas) has become a must-stop for college recruiters and Turntine is next up. The son of a former TCU defensive lineman, Turntine won a handful of 1-on-1 reps in impressive fashion, including one in particular that revealed his point-of-attack punch and foot quickness as he stonewalled a seemingly much more athletic edge defender. At one point, Turntine got bloodied up a bit, but that did not stop him at all from jumping right back in for more. He's one to watch as the 2026 rankings expand this spring beyond this past August's initial Top 100, especially considering that he's flirting with 50 feet in the shot put as only a sophomore.

-- TY HAYWOOD, 2025 TOP247 OT: One of the top offensive linemen in what appears to be an excellent 2025 class in the Lone Star State, Haywood -- No. 4 nationally among senior-to-be tackles -- displayed a sometimes startlingly strong initial punch, coupled with redirecting ability and impressive agility relative to his considerable frame. The Denton Ryan bookend also showed as much block-finishing conviction as is allowed in such camp settings.

-- DAKORIEN MOORE, 2025 TOP247 5-STAR WR: The No. 1 receiver in the 2025 class, Moore (LSU commit) stacked consistently solid reps throughout the afternoon. Other wideouts may have provided more so-called "highlight reel" plays, but Moore owns plenty of those in pads during the real season. He's comfortable outside and inside, stretching the field or providing electric short game run-after-catch explosiveness.

TOP FIVE DEFENSE

-- RYAN GILBERT, 2026 CB: Mesquite (Texas) Horn's Gilbert constructed a stellar performance, shining in the afternoon's lengthy 1-on-1 session against some high-level receiver talent. He broke up a deep sideline go against a 2026 initial Top 100 wideout, then followed his next couple of reps on the outdoor practice fields with two more pass breakups against future FBS pass catchers. Gilbert then trekked indoors for the second half of the 1-on-1 session and simply kept doing the same: staying sticky, getting his paws in the catch window, and generally wreaking havoc at the catch point.

-- NATHAN GREEN, 2026 CB: Another underclassman cover man, Green displayed promising recovery speed and flashed catch-point disruptiveness with late-route hands multiple times to cause breakups. That included the Shreveport (La.) Evangel up-and-comer consistently meeting the ball at the highest point when required.

-- DANNY BEALE III, 2026 DL: One of the biggest D-line bodies who stood out with not only size but eyebrow-raising functional athleticism, Beale won his fair share of 1-on-1 reps with power and quickness, traits that also showed during position-specific drills. Already targeted by a number of noteworthy programs, Beale moves surprisingly well for a barrel-chested interior clogger. His basketball experience undoubtedly helps that, and he's also gotten some recent shot put and discus reps under his belt.

-- ZANE ROWE, 2027 EDGE: Gotta give a lot of credit to Denton (Texas) Guyer's Rowe, who worked out with the morning defensive line group and afternoon TE/WR group. He's a fluid mover on offense and that translates to the defensive side of the ball as well. Rowe flashed some arc-running ability when aligned from the edge and went back-and-forth against well-established 2025 Top247 four-star OT Michael Fasusi at one point during 1-on-1 action. As a pass catcher, Rowe showed promising body control and impressive redirecting ability relative to his size.

-- MICAH STRICKLAND, 2025 TOP247 CB: An East Texas four-star gem, Strickland represents another sinewy athlete with wiry tendon strength and explosiveness who could legitimately play P4-caliber ball on either side of the line of scrimmage. The Brownsboro High star stood out Sunday at cornerback, which is where we project him in the long term. Strickland's still learning some of the technical nuance of the admittedly difficult position, but his physical tools and athleticism kept him sticky with receivers throughout the afternoon, including a handful of breakups. A rep or two might have resulted in a holding call in a game, but hey, make them call it. Strickland made life tough on pass catchers.

AROUND THE CAMP ...

Below are more notes from Sunday's camp, starting with camp staff-selected position MVPs, then going position group by position group with scouting insight from drills and 1-on-1 action.

-- The aforementioned Keelon Russell and Maumelle (Ark.) Central Arkansas Christian's Grayson Wilson (Arkansas commit) took QB MVP honors, while Michael Turner and Bryant (Ark.) standout Daniel Anderson (Notre Dame commit) claimed RB MVP recognition. Elijah Thomas and Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy Top247 four-star wideout Daylan McCutcheon garnered receiver MVP honors. On the line of scrimmage, Midlothian (Texas) IOL Noah Best and Dallas South Oak Cliff 2026 OT Emeka Ugorji shared top OL honors, while DL accolades went to Danny Beale III and Lorena (Texas) High's Jackson Blackwell. Wrapping up the event coaching staff awards were Melissa (Texas) 2025 prospect Ali Vinson with the LB MVP and Ruston (La.) 2025 standout Aidan Anding taking DB MVP.

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-- Denton (Texas) Guyer's Khyren Haywood put together a couple of great interior defensive line reps during the morning's 1-on-1 action. Only a freshman, Haywood provided a glimpse of what to expect in the future from the talented 2027 prospect with his suddenness and athleticism. Little Rock (Ark.) Southwest Christian 2026 prospect Anthony Kennedy Jr. was another underclassmen defensive lineman who flashed during 1-on-1s.

-- Two edge rushers who caught our eyes in 1-on-1 action were Camden (Miss.) Jackson 2025 edge Tyshun Willis and Lindale (Texas) 2026 prospect Kaleb Walker. Willis played with obvious off-the-edge juice that helped him not only recorded 20.5 sacks this past fall, but 600-plus scrimmage yards and 10 offensive touchdowns. Walker may end up playing a more interior-oriented D-line role down the road, but Sunday's performance featured an excellent dip-and-bend rep in particular that yielded one of the more impressive wins of the day.

-- Aforementioned 2025 defensive lineman Jackson Blackwell wins with leverage and power. A weight room monster, Blackwell use those same qualities to win several 1-on-1 matchups. Blackwell this past week bench pressed 490 pounds and deadlifted 605 pounds.

-- Mesquite (Texas) Horn 2025 Top247 four-star offensive tackle Lamont Rogers showed up in good shape, likely as a result of recently finishing basketball season. Rogers, who also plays goal keeper for Horn's soccer program, owns an excellent frame with ready-to-play mass. He showed requisite lateral quickness to keep outside speed at bay.

-- One of the biggest frames in attendance, at least from what the naked eye can tell, was Witten Van Hoy, a toolsy offensive tackle from Benton (La.) in the Shreveport-Bossier metro area. Van Hoy notched some 1-on-1 wins thanks to noticeable anticipatory awareness to rushers' moves, as well as his physical traits and movement ability relative to his size.

-- Mentioned above as a positional MVP winner per event staff, Noah Best compiled a handful of impressive 1-on-1 reps from the offensive interior. Best played with leverage, dropped anchor vs. mass, and got his hands inside the structure of oncoming D-linemen to stop them in their tracks.

-- Two more offensive linemen of note were Carthage (Texas) 2025 tackle Kash Courtney (Baylor commit) and Arlington (Texas) Martin 2026 prospect Brandon Heath. Courtney had a "dominant" early 1-on-1 victory that preceded a few more impressive reps. Heath, who played left guard as a sophomore, got some outside work in 1-on-1s, when he showed promising context in his pass set to cycle rushers wide of the arc.

-- North Crowley (Texas) 2025 running back Cornelius Warren and Honey Grove (Texas) High 2026 playmaker Ryelan Morris stood out in the RB group. Warren made several nice catches, including one of the better grabs of the day on a one-handed snag down the seam after beating a linebacker. Morris, who may very well wind up at receiver in the long run, caught everything in his orbit and displayed excellent suddenness in his route-running athleticism. He looked natural going out for passes and beat some very well-respected prospects in the linebacker group multiple times.

-- Another North Crowley prospect stood out in the linebacker group: 2025 high three-star Jonathan Cunningham. Lean, long, and athletic, Cunningham moves well for a long-limbed, angular athlete and possesses immense developmental upside.

-- After Russell, Edmond (Okla.) Deer Creek senior-to-be Grady Adamson repeatedly caught our eye in the quarterback group. Built well with consistent velocity, Adamson threw well in drills and in 1-on-1 reps for wideouts and DBs. Forney (Texas) 2026 standout Nelson Peterson Jr. probably would have made an "All-Lobby Team," while also showing a huge arm when asked to stretch the field vertically. Grayson Wilson showed good touch variation and ball placement, especially downfield. Shreveport (La.) Calvary Baptist's Peyton Houston put the 2027 QB group on the map Sunday with a consistently smooth delivery and periodic zip that allowed for some tight-window connections in 1-on-1 reps.

-- In the category of larger-framed pass catchers, Madison (Miss.) Central's Micah Jones really stood out as a huge 2025 tight end prospect who repeatedly showed plucking dexterity and some subtle route-running feel that allowed him to create just enough space to make plays against smaller, quicker defenders. Of course, he also made multiple contested-catch wins thanks to his ball skills, size, and strength at the catch point.

-- In that same big-framed weapon category, Lancaster (Texas) 2025 wideout Emmanuel Choice and Mineral Wells (Texas) 2025 prospect Preztynn Harrison gave defenders fits with their height, catch radius, and playmaking knack. Choice in particular impressed on an intermediate out along the boundary and a next-to-impossible top-of-the-grass, leaning-over pluck on a short route to the flat. Harrison was dangerous in the intermediate and deeper portions of the field with his ball-winning ability thanks to high-pointing and catch radius.

-- San Marcos (Texas) High's Hank Harris and Monroe (La.) Neville's Ze'land Young were tall, lean, athletic 2026 wideouts who showed separating ability with simultaneous smooth movement. Both young wideouts showed encouraging movement patterns for longer-framed young pass catchers. Harris already owns several offers, while Young has gotten one in-state FBS offer. Young also plays basketball and competes in a handful of track and field events, which should help his immense upside.

-- Red Oak (Texas) 2025 playmaker Taz Williams Jr. enjoyed a stellar junior season and provided the consistent pass-catching acumen we have come to expect from him in games and offseason events. Williams is capable of winning with athleticism or nuance, and his production from Fall 2023 -- 80 catches, 1,200-plus yards, more than a dozen TDs -- speaks to that.

-- A few more noteworthy wideouts included Arlington (Texas) Bowie 2025 Dilon Tallie and a pair of Mississippi playmakers in Xavier McDonald from Morton High and in O'Mari Johnson from Wesson. McDonald and Johnson debuted this past August in the 247Sports initial Top 100 for the 2026 class.

-- Speaking of Mississippi, Pascagoula High's Tylan Wilson has already reeled in several offers and we could see why Sunday. A big-framed, rangy defensive back with ball skills, Wilson also plays basketball, and that body control and spatial awareness showed in his coverage reps.

-- We loved what we saw this past September in our first live exposure to the aforementioned Aidan Anding, who assembled a monster game in Ruston's non-district win against a talented Lafayette (La.) Christian Academy. Anding was back at it Sunday, bouncing back from a couple of early shaky reps with several impressive ones -- including great recovery speed -- against some talented receivers. Anding is sneaky long with excellent athleticism derived in part from his basketball and track and field participation. He recently rose to high three-star status on 247Sports and we like what we're seeing as his development continues.

-- Waco (Texas) Connally has become a notable recruiting stop in recent seasons and 2026 athlete Jamarion Vincent represents the next in line for the Cadets. Vincent was one of very few DBs to win a rep against the aforementioned Preztynn Harrison, logging a catch-point breakup at one point.

-- DeSoto (Texas) 2025 safety Sael Reyes will soon debut on 247Sports following a junior year that saw him help the Eagles win the Texas Class 6A Division II state championship. Reyes shined during the indoor portion of the afternoon's WR/DB 1-on-1s, notching a pair of interceptions.

-- 247Sports' Hudson Standish and Mike Roach contributed to this report.

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