RDC Recap: Washington, Los Angeles, Houston and Charlotte
For the first time ever, USA Football Regional Development Camps took place in four locations on the same weekend, as athletes from Washington, Los Angeles, Houston and Charlotte took the field to develop their craft and compete to earn an invitation to the National Development Games–the next step in the journey toward the U.S. National Team. At each stop, there was no shortage of talented players who made a big impression on National Team scouts and talent evaluators. Here's a breakdown of the top standouts from each RDC:
WASHINGTON
Coaches from the following universities assisted as U.S. National Team training instructors:
- ASA
- Bowie State
- Georgetown
- Lincoln
- Shaw
- Shepard
- William Patterson
SEE ALSO: Sign up for a Regional Development Camp near you
Middle school Gold Ball winner:
Colin Henrich, OL, 2021, Leesburg, Va.
From sideline-to-sideline, jaws dropped when word spread that Henrich was only an 8th grader. The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder looked every bit the part of a future D1 offensive lineman as he used his strength and technique to maul defensive linemen in his way. Henrich, whose father played collegiately at the University of South Carolina, appears to be following in those footsteps.
Middle school top performers:
Joey Lacey, LB, 2021, Bristow, Va.
Anthony Bisaha Jr., RB, 2021, Athens, W. Va.
Taizse Johnson, DL, 2021, Washington D.C.
William Johnson IV, WR, 2021, Hollywood, Md.
Nehemiah Rhodes, DB, 2022, Triangle, Va.
High school Gold Ball winner:
Billy Kemp, WR, 2018, Highland Springs (Va.)
Highland Springs has won back to back to state titles. If Billy Kemp has his way, the program just might vie for a three-peat. The 5-foot-9 receiver was the top high school performer at the Washington RDC. In last year's state championship game, Kemp made a key play on special teams to help Highland Springs hold off Stone Bridge for the second consecutive season. Watch for Kemp to get more reps at receiver during his senior campaign.
High school top performers
Damien Burke, WR, 2018, Mount Vernon (Va.)
Trejon Bryant, OL, 2018, Charlottesville (Va.)
Spencer Alston, RB, 2018, South Lakes (Reston, Va.)
Deen Bakir, DL, 2019, St. John's College Prep (Washington)
Kalii Bradford, RB, 2020, Highland Springs (Va.)
Dominic Baah, RB, 2018, Loudoun County (Leesburg, Va.)
LOS ANGELES
Coaches from the following universities assisted as U.S. National Team training instructors:
- San Diego
- San Diego State
- Claremont McKenna
- Mendocino
- Occidental
- College of the Sequoias
- Reedley
- Azusa Pacific
- Golden West
SEE ALSO: Sign up for a Regional Development Camp near you
Middle school Gold Ball winner:
Zion Hall, WR, 2021, Bakersfield, Calif.
The Gold Ball winner in Los Angeles was all about speed and flash. Hall was a fun one to watch this weekend as he was smooth in and out of his breaks and did a lot of the little things right. Coaches noted that he carried himself and played with that "it" factor that all great athletes have. Hall was his most dangerous when lined up in the slot, creating mismatches with his quickness and agility all weekend long.
Middle school top performers
Vance Jefferson, WR, 2021, Poway, Calif.
Trillian Harris, QB, 2021, Temecula, Calif.
Mason Barbour, DL, 2021, Templeton, Calif.
Ben Young, TE, 2021, Upland, Calif.
Braeden Lynch, WR, Upland, Calif.
High school Gold Ball winner:
Blake Antzoulatos, LB, 2019, Chaminade (West Hills, Calif.)
It's a big month for Chaminade. Alum and Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya is expected to be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft and Antzoulatos does his part to further the reputation of the school's football program by capturing the high school Gold Ball. Antzoulatos was one of the nation's most productive sophomore linebackers last fall, registering 125 tackles and two sacks.
High school top performers
Isaiah Young, DB, 2020, Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
Reilly Gauman, OL, 2018, Perry (Gilbert Ariz.)
Tiquan Gilmore, WR, 2018, Esteban Torres (Los Angeles)
Steven Godbolt, DB, 2020, Palmdale (Calif.)
Sione Moa, RB, 2020, Victor Valley (Victorville, Calif.)
HOUSTON
Coaches from the following universities assisted as U.S. National Team training instructors:
- Texas Southern
- Texas Lutheran
- Northwestern State
- Incarnate World
- Midwestern State
- Oklahoma Baptist
- Tarleton State
- Lone Star
- Trinity Valley
- Sam Houston State
- Southwestern
- Cisco
SEE ALSO: Sign up for a Regional Development Camp near you
Middle school Gold Ball winner:
Kendrick Blackshire, LB, 2021, Mesquite, Texas
A physical freak of nature, Blackshire showed that he could do it all on the field and was impressive with every movement and every rep. At a hair under 6-foot-1 and weighing 217 pounds, Blackshire outran the running backs and receivers and was physical enough to bump with the linemen if he wanted to. With his build, it's difficult to project which position he'll play (defensive back, linebacker or defensive end) but one thing is for sure–Blackshire's future is as bright as the Gold Ball he took home in Houston.
Middle school top performers
Hunter Washington, DB, 2021, Katy, Texas
Tunmise Adeleye, DL, 2021, Fulshear, Texas
Seth Johnson, WR, 2021, Houston, Texas
Shannon Craver, RB, 2021, Houston, Texas
Luis Chavarria, OL, 2021, Richmond, Texas
High school Gold Ball winner:
Tobias Harris, DB, 2018, Hendrickson (Pflugerville, Texas)
A playmaker on the field and a natural born leader and motivator off the field, Harris is quick, instinctive and able to read the offense very well. Many of the younger athletes looked up to him during the camp. The 5-foot-8 cornerback is primed for a big junior season this fall at Hendrickson.
High school top performers:
Layton English, DL, 2018, Barbers Hill (Mont Belvieu, Texas)
Matthew Alvarez, OL, 2018, Veterans Memorial (Mission, Texas)
Rayvion Reynolds-Flowers, DL, 2019, Spring High School (Texas)
Parker Washington, WR, 2020, Travis (Richmond, Texas)
Jonathan Dullen, LB, 2018, Porter (Texas)
CHARLOTTE
- 40-yard dash times (Coming soon)
- Roster (Coming soon)
- Head Shots
- Action Photos
SEE ALSO: Sign up for a Regional Development Camp near you
Middle school Gold Ball winner:
Antonio Addison, DL, 2021, Columbia, S.C.
Addison was a terror on the defensive line all weekend long in Rock Hill. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound athlete showed that he has the ability to play on the interior line or out as a defensive end, because of his rare combination of speed and power. He soaked up everything the coaches taught him and used it to perfection in the drills. Addison proved to be as fine a defensive linemen as there was at any camp so far this year, and for that, he took home the Gold Ball.
Middle school top performers
Franklin Thompson Jr., RB, 2022, York, S.C.
Blue Monroe, QB, 2022, Mooresville, N.C.
Michael Dipasquale, DB, 2023, Cary, N.C.
Braylen Dixon, TE, 2021, Concord, N.C.
Bryce Sain, 2021, RB, Whittier, N.C.
Isaiah Brown-Murray, 2022, DB, Charlotte, N.C.
High school Gold Ball winner:
James Rhodes III, WR, 2018, Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)
Byrnes has been a prodigious producer of talent, and Rhodes could be next in line. The 6-foot-1 receiver displayed quick feet and explosiveness en route to earning the Gold Ball in the high school division. He'll help comprise a deep Byrnes receiver corps that will look to help the prestigious program rebound from a 3-7 season.
High school top performers
Elijah Blair, QB, 2019, Marlboro County (Bennettsville, S.C.)
Shyheim Battle, DB, 2019, Rocky Mount (N.C.)
Pha'leak Brown, RB, 2019, Chester (S.C.)
Treveyon Pratt, WR, 2018, Ragsdale (Jamestown, N.C.)
Javon Garner, TE, 2018, Ridgeview (Columbia, S.C.)