2011 Nike Football Training Camp - USC

2011 NFTC - USC Linebackers This is as hard a group of competitors as we’ve had in a while. All of the LBs were aggressive; many will play a lot more football in college.  

1. Butch Pauu (Servite – Anaheim, CA) – Well balanced in every aspect of the game – this guy did everything well. Furthermore, he did it with hustle and a great attitude. This screams high opportunity to improve and grow into an excellent college football player. Rumor is he’s leaning to BYU – what a great fit for this physically and emotional mature inside backer.
2. Jabari Ruffin (Downy, CA) – By far the most impressive of all the LBs at the USC NFTC. Smooth as can be when running and changing direction. USC has a great player coming into their system. As athletic as he is, he is the right amount of “nasty” mixed with “coachable.” As he fills out in college, he can be a premier player!
3. Ryan Harris (Mission Viejo, CA) – Second year seeing this guy – he has improved and put on about 10-15#... he impressed everyone. Awesome twitch and reactivity. He goes 100% every play. Someone has got to give this guy a chance to play with the big boys!
4. Connor Einck (Servitte – Anaheim, CA) – Best open field tackler we’ve seen in drills, maybe ever. This guy knows angles and leverage and was perfect in all open field and tackling drills. Fine job in pass drops too.
5. Aaron Porter (La Habra, CA) – Best “pick” of the day covering a corner route in the endzone. Runs well for a big-man and is surprisingly athletic. Freakish hand/grip strength!
6. Jeremiah Allison (Dorsey - Los Angeles, CA – D-line convert, he did a fine job learning how to operate in space during this camp. He will find his way on the field at the next level – either being a bonus rusher on passing downs or a balanced coverage and run defender LB. Eagerness to learn was apparent.
7. Joe Robinson (Chaparral – Temecula, CA) – The big guy was back at it this year. Had a fine NFTC last year in BYU especially. Impressive body lean and fluid mechanics when running straight ahead for a true Mike. Agile and quick enough to play in the middle.
8. Jimmy Benedix (Capistrano Valley – Mission Viejo, CA) – Yoked and strong as can be. Great with his eyes as he scans the field. As he improves in space he will become an even more valuable as a Mike.

Honorable Mentions:

• Thomas Brown (Serra – Gardena, CA) – Long limbed and very athletic. Very assertive hands
• Deion Williams (Orange Lutheran – Orange, CA) – Very smart player, good burst, awesome attitude!
• Carlos Mendoza (Oaks Christian - Westlake Village, CA) – Awesome attitude, great hustle, playmaker.
• Matthew Rowe (Long Beach Poly – Long Beach, CA) – Incredibly quick feet!
• Brandon Heim (Union – Camas, WA) – Tough as nails and covers a lot of ground.
• Reshawn Hooker (A.B. Miller – Fontana, CA) – Most likely a safety, great speed

Here’s the roll call for the Nike Football Training Camp at USC:

Jeremiah Allison 6-0 202 Dorsey Los Angeles CA
Dimone Backus 5-11.5 215 West Valley (Hemet) Hemet CA
Jimmy Benedix 5-10.5 220 Capistrano Valley Mission Viejo CA
Thomas Brown 6-2.5 206 Serra Gardena CA
Sean Byrne 6-1 221 West Linn West Linn OR
Darnell Daily 6-0.5 207 Rodriguez Fairfield CA
Marshaun Daniels 5-9 202 Tustin Tustin CA
C.J. Dozier 6-1 200 St. John Bosco Bellflower CA
Chad Foster 5-9.5 185 San Clemente San Clemente CA
George Frazier 6-1 221 Monrovia Monrovia CA
Carlwayne Gable 6-0 178 Paramount Paramount CA
Mike Gordon 5-11 204 Capistrano Valley Mission Viejo CA
Terrence Harper 5-7.5 201 Verbum Dei Los Angeles CA
Ryan Harris 5-11 199 Mission Viejo Mission Viejo CA
Brandon Heim 5-10 204 Union (WA) Camas WA
Brice Henderson 5-9 216 Alemany Mission Hills CA
Kyle Henry 5-11.5 192 Desert Oasis Las Vegas NV
Reshawn Hooker 5-11.5 191 A.B. Miller Fontana CA
Cody Ippolito 5-10 216 Chaparral Scottsdale AZ
Josh Kilmer 5-11.5 179 La Jolla La Jolla CA
Alec Lopez 5-8.5 189 Long Beach Poly Long Beach CA
Eddie Martinez 5-10.5 219 Colony (CA) Ontario CA
Ryan McAleenan 6-4 198 St. Francis (La Canada) La Canada CA
Anthony Mcnichols 5-10 218 Lakewood (CA) Lakewood CA
Carlos Mendoza 6-0 211 Oaks Christian Westlake Village CA
Butch Pauu 5-10 209 Servite Anaheim CA
Aaron Porter 6-0.5 229 La Habra La Habra CA
Joe Robinson 6-0 252 Chaparral (CA) Temecula CA
Matthew Rowe 6-0.5 196 Long Beach Poly Long Beach CA
Jabari Ruffin 6-3 219 Downey Downey CA
Joshua Symonette 5-8 198 Palo Verde (Las Vegas) Las Vegas NV
Gary Thompson 6-0.5 193 Helix La Mesa CA
Deion Williams 5-11 210 Orange Lutheran Orange CA
Austin Yellen 6-0 209 Mater Dei Santa Ana CA