BRIGHTON, MI---A slew of the most promising 2022-2026 football prospects from the Midwest gathered on Saturday at the Legacy Center Sports Complex in the metro Detroit area for the latest installment of the NextGen All America Camp series.
At the NextGen Elite Midwest Showcase, the athletes competed in the Y1ACT combine, TB12 Quarterback Challenge and Vicis Lineman Showcase, as well as squaring off in one-on-one drills.
Out of the 253 participants, 60 earned the coveted golden ticket to The SHOW at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL: 34 from 2022-2023 and 26 from 2024-2026. The SHOW, which will be held on June 26-28, is one of the country's largest youth football events and provides a plethora of exposure for athletes.
NextGen President/Founder Brent Williams believes the athletes in his home state of Michigan certainly seized the opportunity at the Elite Midwest Showcase.
“It was a successful event. I think it was a lot of great young talent, which is one of the things that we’ve been trying to identify,” Williams said. “There’s some positions that we’re having some trouble finding in the defensive back group, so that was really helpful to find some young defensive backs and some defensive backs with our older group.”
The collection of 2022-2023 prospects particularly impressed the evaluators with their willingness to step out of their comfort zone.
Thank you @Bryan_Ault for the recognition at the @NextGenAACamp at the @LegacyMI_FBall @IMGAFootball @TrambleJoe @EdOBrien247 https://t.co/gfBN6SfLWn
— garrett masterson (@garrettmasters9) February 2, 2020
“Some of you guys switched positions, loved that. That shows versatility. College coaches love that. They love versatility,” The SHOW selection committee member Jonathan Hadnott said in the final huddle. “But they also love guys who love the game and pay attention and get better and stronger as the day goes along. I think you guys did a phenomenal job.”
Williams, who spent 11 seasons in the NFL as a defensive end (1986-1996) with the Patriots, Seahawks, and Jets, explains the core mission of NextGen.
2022 Lapeer West OL Garrett Masterson (@garrettmasters9) tells @Youth1Football he’s looking forward to showcasing his skills during @NextGenAACamp’s The SHOW at @IMGAFootball. #Youth1 #WeFindFreaksEARLY pic.twitter.com/mHQJEziaqA
— Rolando Rosa 🇺🇸🇵🇷🇯🇲🇱🇧 (@RolandoRosa3) February 4, 2020
“We want to level the playing field and create opportunities for kids from different parts of the country to come and compete with the kids from the recruiting hotbeds. I don’t want to be the camp that’s just about the best kids that can afford to come to our camp,” Williams said. “We want to make sure the kids that earn the right to be there, we want to make sure we find a way to get those kids in our camp and let them compete. That’s what NextGen is all about.”
2023 Grand Blanc (MI) WR Jaylen Johnson (@Jaylen_88TD) tells @Youth1Football he “can’t wait to ball out” at @NextGenAACamp’s The SHOW at @IMGAFootball. #Youth1 #WeFindFreaksEARLY pic.twitter.com/vgBurtkCRU
— Rolando Rosa 🇺🇸🇵🇷🇯🇲🇱🇧 (@RolandoRosa3) February 4, 2020
The game of football holds special significance to Williams and it’s his honor to provide a platform for the youth.
“I realize the impact that football had on my life. I know how it changed my life,” Williams said. “More importantly I think I view this like a ministry. I know that we’re touching and changing the lives of these young men by creating opportunities for them to be seen.”
@Youth1Football talks to 2023 Divine Child (MI) OL Dylan Senda (@dylansenda2023), who punched his ticket to @NextGenAACamp’s The SHOW at @IMGAFootball. #Youth1 #WeFindFreaksEARLY pic.twitter.com/TJKlfp6tCV
— Rolando Rosa 🇺🇸🇵🇷🇯🇲🇱🇧 (@RolandoRosa3) February 4, 2020
The most important emphasis at each NextGen event is to teach invaluable lessons applicable on and off the field.
“We try to teach them real-life stuff. Some days will be great, some days you may not do your best,” Williams said. “You’ve got to learn how to handle the successes and failures with this sport if you really love it. I think that’s something that we try to instill in every camp that we do.”
NextGen Elite Midwest Showcase top performers
(2022-2023)
Overall MVPs
2022 LB Michael Williams II
2022 DB Khimani McNeill (not pictured)
2022 West Bloomfield (MI) LB Michael Williams II (@TheFuture247) tells @Youth1Football he’s extremely grateful to be selected to @NextGenAACamp’s The SHOW at @IMGAFootball. #Youth1 #WeFindFreaksEARLY pic.twitter.com/eyqN3C8Yj3
— Rolando Rosa 🇺🇸🇵🇷🇯🇲🇱🇧 (@RolandoRosa3) February 4, 2020
The impactful 6-foot-3, 220-pound Williams II reinforced why he holds offers from three Power 5 programs (Michigan, Maryland, and West Virginia). McNeill held his own in coverage against the wide receivers.
TB12 Peak Performance
2022 QB Caleb Treadwell
Treadwell has an absolute cannon for an arm as well as the elusiveness to evade pressure.
Battle Offensive Gamebreaker
2022 WR Jordan Jackson
The sure-handed Jackson snagged a share of nifty receptions.
Battle Defensive MVP
2022 DB Kyle Johnson
2022 West Bloomfield (MI) DB Kyle Johnson (@k3hd1) tells @Youth1Football how it feels to be invited to @NextGenAACamp’s The SHOW at @IMGAFootball. #Youth1 #WeFindFreaksEARLY pic.twitter.com/bnQoJIHb54
— Rolando Rosa 🇺🇸🇵🇷🇯🇲🇱🇧 (@RolandoRosa3) February 4, 2020
The versatile Johnson, who previously played wide receiver, showcased his seamless transition to his new position at nickel back.
Vicis Outstanding Lineman
2023 OL Amir Herring
2023 West Bloomfield (MI) OL Amir Herring (@amirherring55) tells @Youth1Football he feels “blessed and privileged” to be chosen for @NextGenAACamp’s The SHOW at @IMGAFootball. #Youth1 #WeFindFreaksEARLY pic.twitter.com/0TGNHCUUCu
— Rolando Rosa 🇺🇸🇵🇷🇯🇲🇱🇧 (@RolandoRosa3) February 4, 2020
The 6-foot-2, 255-pound Herring, who holds offers from two Power 5 programs (Kentucky and Maryland), is nimble on his feet and demonstrates textbook technique.
Vicis Outstanding Lineman
2022 DL Nick Cruji
Cruji is a hard-nosed Canadian who gets after it on every snap and refuses to give anything less than his all.
(2024-2026)
Overall MVPs:
QB Ryan Kohlsaat (not pictured)
2024 WR Nigel Dunton (not pictured)
2024 WR Preston Wolfe
Kohlsaat has superb accuracy and can place the ball where only his target can catch it. Dunton makes up for his lack of size by extracting maximum energy on each play. The dynamic 6-foot-1, 148-pound Wolfe is headed back to The SHOW for a second straight year.
TB12 Peak Performance
2026 QB Trae Taylor
The decorated Taylor is an intriguing prospect who possesses explosive dual-threat capabilities and an excellent football IQ.
Battle Defensive MVP
2025 LB Ryan Palmeri
Palmeri had a great showing and made a number of eye-opening plays.
Vicis Outstanding Lineman
2024 OL Nathaniel Johnson
The menacing 6-foot-4, 270-pound Johnson, who holds Power 5 offers from Kentucky and Maryland, boosted his stock even further with his latest dominant showing.
Battle Offensive Gamebreaker
2024 QB Gavin Frye
Frye is an emerging signal caller that delivers dimes on the regular and relishes the grind of his position.
Battle Offensive Gamebreaker
WR Amari Williams
The dependable Williams demonstrated why defenses have to pay close attention to him or suffer the consequences.
Y1ACT top performers
40 Yard Dash
Kyle Clayton 4.75
Joshua Brown 4.754
Michael Davis Jr. 4.798
Raykim Chenier 4.848
Andre Tarver Jr. 4.886
Dameon Hall 4.879
Jahsiah Galvan 4.885
Cole Cabana 4.888
Lavari Smith 4.895
Joshua Farquharson-Seaforth 4.931
5-10-5 Shuttle
Jaqaveion Echols 4.09
Ronin Russell-Dixon 4.265
Bertrelle Shelby-Rankin 4.273
Cody Britt 4.291
Zyaire Miller 4.334
Dameon Hall 4.368
Drew Garcia 4.379
Joshua Brown 4.392
Nigel Dunton 4.413
Jovan Butts 4.424
Broad Jump
Ben Cotrell 117
Garrison Stehr 114
Michael Davis Jr. 113
Jordan Jackson 111
Kyle Clayton 111
Raykim Chenier 111
Isaiah Thomas 110
Jahsiah Galvan 110
Zyaire Miller 110
Dylan Simpson 109
Jaqaveion Echols 109
The NextGen All America Camp series continues on Feb. 22 with the Elite Mid-Atlantic Showcase in Delaware.
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