Hot 11: Defensive Heavyweights at Five-Star Challenge

The Las Vegas Rivals250 defensive tackle admitted himself that it took him a minute to get used to the upgrade in level of competition - especially compared to what he sees on a daily basis back in Nevada.

However, once acclimated to his more premiere surroundings, Rogers not only fit right in, but he showed flashes of dominance.

While obviously still a little raw, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive tackle displayed plenty of strength and athleticism that allowed him to keep blockers guessing on whether he was going to power through them or explode around the edge.

Wade backed up his lofty five-star status, despite being listed at 5-foot-9, by earning Defensive Back MVP honors for this year's Five-Star Challenge.

Even though he is clearly not the tallest corner, Wade is still a strong, well put together prospect that was able to play with enough physicality to keep teams from picking on him with larger receivers.

Probably the only high school linebacker that can make Baron Browning look small, Cowan is a monstrous prospect with a dominating presence. Even though he wasn't able to cover and move in space like Browning (who can?), the nation's No. 5 outside linebacker played like a premiere athlete and was a major part of helping Team Armour take home the 7-on-7 title.

It's almost scary to imagine what the Palm Beach Gardens defender will look like after a few years in the Alabama strength and conditioning program.

The only member of the 2018 class to make the list, Blades is an ultra-explosive defensive back with very rare athleticism.

Another member in a long line of high-profile St. Thomas Aquinas prospects, the four-star was all over the field not just shutting down his man, but also making plays and causing havoc when the ball was in the air.

To give an example of the absurd gifts the soon-to-be junior possesses, he literally jumped over one of the standing bags from the defensive line drills. Just messing around and jumping over objects the size of human beings.

Something's in the water in Louisiana where they keep churning out these Herculean beasts at defensive tackle. Shelvin fits right in with a long line of athletic freaks on the defensive line from the Pelican State.

Seeing such an explosive and quick first step from a 300-pound human is almost jarring and it was a struggle all day for offensive linemen to keep the LSU commitment in front of them. If a blocker didn't have a strong base and quick feet, they were doomed from the start.

Outside of No. 1 overall player Marvin Wilson, there was no equal for Shelvin's dominance.

There may be no tougher job than to play linebacker at these camps and 7-on-7 tournaments where you are forced to cover some of the best running backs in the country in open space.

It's a rare live-game scenario for those two positions to not be battling in more physical quarters and the drills are essentially designed for the 'backers to lose.

But don't tell Baron Browning that.

The nation's No. 1 outside linebacker lived up to his lofty five-star status by being one of only a couple of prospects on hand that could not only hang with the running backs, but stop them more often than not.

Stopping them while also being one of the biggest linebackers at the camp at 6-foot-3, 230+ pounds? Well, that's just borderline alien.

There were so many things to love about Bandy's game.

Whatever he lacks in size, he makes up for in confidence, instincts, football I.Q., and just some good old fashioned absurd athleticism.

While some guys appeared to look timid or overwhelmed by the stark upgrade in talent, Bandy was right at home and seemed to embrace the challenge. The four-star Oklahoma commitment from Miami would constantly switch the looks he was giving receivers - showing that he could handle press coverage, flipping his hips and running with his receiver and also playing off, diagnosing the route, showcasing his incredible burst and closing speed.

There were at least three occasions where Bandy left his feet to break-up a pass that looked like it was going to be an easy completion.

It was a banner day for one of the top-shelf athletes in the country.

There were multiple times Stevens would outrun a receiver to the ball and leap with incredible explosion to high-point it to either nab an interception or at least break up the pass.

Stevens, the one-time No. 1 ranked athlete in the country, is dutiful served by playing on the defensive side of the ball, as he possesses a rare blend of incredible measurables and explosion.

At receiver, the Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Oakland product would be a highly talented guy with a good shot to have success at the next level. In the secondary, you're looking at a future first round draft pick.

There may have been no bigger surprise of the day than when Phillips took home Linebacker MVP honors over seven Rivals100 linebackers, including two five-stars.

It was a well-deserved distinction for the nation's No. 109 overall player. In a day where running backs dominated in the 7-on-7s, Phillips was one of a few that could keep up with the four backs that are all ranked in the top 40 nationally.

On one occasion, Cam Akers, the nation's No. 2 running back, ran a route up the seam that was clearly designed to be a home run play to take advantage of the inherent favorable circumstances for the tailbacks. Receivers all ran outside routes to clear the stage for Akers, but Phillips wasn't having any of it. He was able to turn and run with Akers, only giving up a half-step, which was quickly compensated for by his length as he lifted his arms in the air to completely block-out any chance of a pass making it through.

That was just one example of many that displayed why Phillips is one of the fastest rising prospects in the country.

The five-star safety actually spent much of his time at corner and even caught a long touchdown pass at receiver from Oklahoma commit Chris Robison.

It didn't matter where you stuck Okudah, as he is truly a playmaker and athletic freak. His length, size, and athleticism at corner had no equal and was a nuisance for pass-catchers and quarterbacks all day.

On one occasion, a pass was attempted Okudah's way and he almost seemed surprised that a throw was even made in his direction. The very next play, the quarterback decides to test the waters again and Okudah made him pay with an interception that likely would have gone for six in a real game situation.

Play with fire, you'll eventually get burned.

As if there was any doubt.

Wilson is over 300 pounds of merciless brute force. There are just so many ways that the nation's No. 1 overall player can beat you that it is almost truly a 'pick your poison' scenario for the offensive line. He'll go through you, around you, over you - whatever it takes to get the job done.

And on the rare occasion somebody was able to slow down the Houston (Texas) Episcopal star, he would immediately call for a rematch and then rectify the loss in dominant fashion.