RDC Recap: Phoenix, Sacramento and Dallas
The 2017 USA Football Regional Development Camps continued around the country over the weekend, making stops in Phoenix, Sacramento and Dallas.
Each camp featured some of the best local athletes all vying to take the next step toward earning a spot on a U.S. National Team roster.
Six players received the Gold Ball–an instant invite to the National Team Development Games in the summer.
Check out all of the top performers below:
PHOENIX
Coaches from the following universities served as U.S. National Team training instructors:
- Arizona State
- Arizona Western
- Bethany
- Eastern Arizona
- Mesa Junior College
- Scottsdale Community College
Middle school Gold Ball winner:
Andrew Patterson, WR, 2021, Glendale, Ariz.
Out of nearly 300 athletes in attendance, Patterson earned the nod as the Gold Ball recipient on the middle school level at the Phoenix Regional Development Camp. Clocked at 4.88 seconds in the 40-yard dash, Patterson used a combination of speed and route running ability to earn his automatic invite to the Development Games this summer. At 5-foot-9 and 138 pounds, Patterson quickly drew the eye of USA Football scouts and coaches in attendance and showed off high school-ready hands, despite only being an eighth-grader at Challenger Middle School.
Middle school top performers
Fabian Ross, DB, 2021, Las Vegas, Nev.
Trey Martin, QB, 2021, Queen Creek, Ariz.
Bear Milacek, QB, 2021, Anthem, Ariz.
Cam Barfield, RB, 2022, Las Vegas, Nev.
Josh Baxter, RB, 2021, Scottsdale, Ariz.
High school Gold Ball winner:
Tre Hart, WR, 2018, Chandler (Ariz.)
Hailing from perennial Arizona powerhouse Chandler, Hart appears to be the next good one for head coach Shaun Aguano, who also coached former National Team receiver and current Arizona State standout N'Keal Harry. The 5-foot-11 Hart has impressive burst and is a physical presence at the receiver position. He's poised for a breakout season on Chandler's varsity squad.
High school top performers
Isaac Gilliam, DB, 2018, Cactus (Glendale, Ariz.)
Reid Coffee, WR, 2019, Campo Verde (Gilbert, Ariz.)
Kayman Rawls, WR, 2020, Mountain Pointe (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Alec Meza, RB, 2018, Santa Cruz Valley Union (Eloy, Ariz.)
Spencer Brasch, QB, 2019, Higley (Gilbert, Ariz.)
Gavin Davis, WR, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (Tucson, Ariz.)
Jayden Lee, OL, 2018, Campo Verde (Gilbert, Ariz.)
SACRAMENTO
Coaches from the following universities served as U.S. National Team training instructors:
- Cal. Poly
- Chabot
- Claremont McKenna
- DeAnza
- Mendocino
- Nevada
- Sacramento City
- College of Sequoias
Middle school Gold Ball winner:
Travis Meyer, RB, 2021, Yuba City, Calif.
Earning the Gold Ball out of a deeply talented middle school group in Sacramento, Meyer was a standout this past weekend. At 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, he has a great build for a back on this level. Scouts and evaluators spoke about his mastery of the little things. Coming off an impressive regular season with the Sutter Jr. Huskies, Meyer now possesses an automatic invite to the Development Games this summer.
Middle school top performers
Roy Gardner, WR, 2023, Mountain House, Calif.
Aidan Fortenberry, LB, 2023, Clovis, Calif.
Cody Akagi, WR, 2021, Wahiawa, Hawaii
Josiyah Maddalone-Wilson, DB, 2023, Vallejo, Calif.
Lyon Colon, RB, 2022, Lathrop, Calif.
High school Gold Ball winner:
Jared Gipson, WR, 2020, St. Mary's (Stockton, Calif.)
Gipson enjoyed an impressive season on St. Mary's freshman squad while the varsity team posted a 14-2 record, one of the best seasons in program history. If his weekend performance at the Regional Development Camp is any indicator, he appears ready to be a varsity contributor this fall, as the team graduates its two leading receivers. Before then, he'll look to continue his growth as a player at the Development Games.
High school top performers
Jordan Ford, DL, 2018, Del Campo (Fair Oaks, Calif.)
Oliver Saunders, RB, 2018, Jesse Bethel (Vallejo, Calif.)
Alan Ene, OL, 2018, Del Campo (Fair Oaks, Calif.)
Peyton Elmendorf, DL, 2018, Woodcreek (Roseville, Calif.)
Colton Smith, LB, 2019, Kerman (Calif.)
Dawson Trent, LB, 2018, Napa (Calif.)
Michael Jamison Jr., DL, 2018, Lower Lake (Calif.)
Jordan Mueller, DL, 2020, Exeter Union (Exeter, Calif.)
DALLAS
Coaches from the following universities served as U.S. National Team training instructors:
Avila
Belhaven
Midwestern State
New Mexico Highlands
Texas Lutheran
Trinity Valley
Middle school Gold Ball winner:
Jaylen Fuksa, WR, 2021, Frisco, Texas
Hungry, coachable and natural were just a few of the adjectives being thrown around to describe Fuksa's game this past weekend in Dallas. The talented eighth-grader had scouts and evaluators marveling at the way he ran his routes and how he went after every ball thrown in his direction. In addition to his physical tools–which were elite–coaches were impressed with his ability to take the coaching and apply it on his next rep. Fuksa certainly left an impression at the camp and earned his automatic invitation to the Development Games this summer.
Middle school top performers
Barrett Baker, OL, 2022, Dallas, Texas
Devin Turner, DB, 2022, Little Elm, Texas
Knox Scoggins, QB, 2022, Ponder, Texas
Riley Angel, DB, 2021, Midlothian, Texas
Eddie Cao, DL, 2021, Plano, Texas
Aidan Siano, LB, 2021, Celina, Texas
High school Gold Ball winner:
Brayden Chandler, OL, 2019, Centennial (Burleston, Texas)
Chandler was the top offensive lineman at the camp, impressing scouts enough to earn the high school Gold Ball. The rising junior at Centennial (Burleston, Texas) cracked the varsity roster as a sophomore on a team that finished 10-2, earning all-district honors in the process. Chandler possesses all the skills coaches look for from the center position, which is a big reason why he earned his automatic invitation to this summer's Development Games.
High school top performers
Dominic Davis Jr., WR, 2018, Wichita Falls, Texas
Micah Dennis, DB, 2019, Frisco, Texas
Al Amir Ward, DB, 2020, Killian, Texas
DeShawn Gaddie, DB, 2019, Arlington, Texas
Addison Penn, LB, 2022, Southlake, Texas