Football off-season gets a kick start with first-rate combine by Next Generation Athletix
Cumming, GA — On Sunday morning Redline Athletics Training Facility of Forsyth hosted Next Generation Athletix Academy and a group of Georgia athletes from across the state for a free combine and showcase. The four hour event offered high level training and coaching as well as the opportunity for athletes to be measured in standard evaluation metrics throughout the college recruiting process. Coach Micah Keels was the lead coach and trainer for the combine, as he worked extensively with each group through the various combine drill. Keels himself was a key contributor all four years of his college career as a defensive back at the University of Richmond. He also doubles as the DB coach at North Forsyth, and owner of Next Generation Athletix Academy and said, “We wanted to give them some exposure and see what it’s like out on the recruiting trail, give them the opportunity to engage with scouting services, be interviewed by the media, and compete with other athletes.” In an attempt to give more intentional instruction, and provide safety due to Covid-19, the day was split with groups from the Class of 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 each going through the broad jump, vertical jump, 10 and 20 yard dash, and the 10 yard shuttle. All times were recorded with laser technology used at professional combines.
“Dynasty URec” talks to Class of 2022 about the recruiting process and opportunities through their app designed to give players a platform to connect with coaches at the next level.
The day started out with the Class of 2024 followed by the class of 2023. WR/DB Monterris Engram of Veterans High School made the trip up from Houston County. Engram was named combine MVP for Class of 2024 with some impressive numbers including a 19.6mph top end speed. He was joined by WR Cole Ferguson and DL Braden O’Shields of North Forsyth High School. This group also featured two Class of 2025 athletes in DB/WR Orris Foster of West Forsyth, and Jack Brenk of Denmark. The class of 2023 group was highlighted by Brandon People’s who ran the 10 yard shuttle in 4.33 seconds which was the second best time of the day in any class. Joshua Gibson of Mount Zion hit a top speed of 18.1 and Jeevon Robinson of Banneker High School was one of six athletes to hit 20mph throughout the entire day. This class was rounded out by David Navarette of Forsyth Central and Greg Oryn of Douglas County.
The 2022 group handed out MVP’s at the end of the day to a pair of proven commodities at the GHSA level. The first went to Christian Harris of Collins Hill High School. Harris’ speed and agility was clear throughout the day, and it was easy to see why he was selected to the First Team Defense of Region 8-7A as a defensive back. Harris had the highest vertical of the combine at 38.8’ and tied for the highest top end speed at 20.7mph. The second camp MVP was given to Patrick Corrigan of North Forsyth High School. Corrigan was named the Region 6-7A Defensive Player of the Year. Corrigan’s stout frame at 6’1, 226 pounds, didn’t stop him from matching some defensive back and skill position numbers in both the shuttle, and 10 and 20 yard dashes.
6’6, 275 pound offensive tackle, Maurice Clipper of Milton High School had an excellent day showing off some great mobility and athleticism that coaches would love to have on the offensive line. A trio of all-region players from Harlem High School made the trip in QB/RB Jeremiah Ellis, LB Tony Hart, and WR/LB Jacob Robinson. Ellis also seemed to be one of the most explosive athletes throughout the day. QB Drew Aucoin, who seems to have the inside track to become the starter at North Forsyth next season. RB/DB Anias Blackman of Denmark hit a top end of speed of 19.6 and will look to help the Danes get back to the playoffs in 2021-2022. RB William Orris of West Forsyth had one of the fastest times of the day running at a top end speed of 20.3mph, and continued to showcase his burst in the 10 and 20 yard dash. DB Zach Hobson of South Forsyth has great length and range to become a big time contributor for the War Eagles this upcoming season
Class of 2022 standout’s Maurice Clipper (left) of Milton High School and Jeremiah Ellis (right) of Harlem High School prepare for the 20 yard dash.
The last group of the day featured three athletes from the Class of 2021 who are still looking for a college home. The MVP was Nolan Johnson of Sandy Creek High School. Not only doesn’t Johnson have an impressive tape, he provided the best numbers of the day in 4 of the 6 categories. Two wide receivers in Ahamad Perkins of Towers High School and Trey Davis of Tucker also topped the 20mph mark in their performance.
In addition to the training and coaching, athletes were able to connect with a handful of scouting services, local trainers, and sports media companies to gain exposure, learn more about the recruiting process, and enhance their performance. Keels explained, “That’s the basis behind our brand, is student athlete development. I’m trying to get them to understand that football is good, playing college football is good, I wanted to play in the NFL, but that football can be a vehicle for them to get to bigger and better things.” There’s no doubt this combine was “on brand” with what Keels and Next Generation are hoping to do.
NEXT GENERATION ATHLETIX ACADEMY
COMBINE SHOWCASE RESULTS
Click the links below for more information on the various services available from the combine: