4/22/2017 football Edit

RCS Atlanta: Southeast talent impresses at New Speed Combine

Rob Cassidy, Chad Simmons, Woody Wommack

Rivals.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- The Rivals Camp Series rolled into the Atlanta area on Saturday and got started with the Rivals New Speed Combine presented by adidas. More than 1,500 players showed up for the event and many earned invites to Sunday’s elite Rivals 3 Stripe Camp presented by adidas. Below are news and notes from Saturday’s combine.

For the second consecutive event in a row there was a famous face on the sidelines of the New Speed Combine as rapper Big Boi, one half of the iconic duo Outkast, turned out to support his son Cross Patton. A member of the 2019 class, Patton helped Woodward Academy make a deep run in this year’s playoffs before falling in the state semifinals to the nation’s No. 1 player, Trevor Lawrence, and Cartersville. Patton, an all-purpose back and a defensive back earned an invitation back to Sunday’s 3 Stripe Camp after testing well.

The first invite handed out at Saturday’s event went to linebacker Jatorian Hansford, who currently lists offers from Georgia State, UAB, Georgia Southern and Western Kentucky. Hanford, who has the build of a major FBS prospect, is in contact with Georgia, Georgia Tech and others. He expects his options to expand this spring, but currently favors Georgia State.

Tre'Shaun Hodge arrived at the combine with no offers and very little college interest. Hodge, who grew up a Georgia fan, is from Eastman, Ga. and has received little exposure because of the small size of his town. Hodge has the body of a college–level guard and could surprise at Sunday’s 3 Stripe Camp.

BYU commit Khymani Martin tested on Saturday and was invited back for the 3 Stripe Camp on Sunday. The Florida-based prospect has already visited the school’s Provo campus. Martin says his Mormon faith combined with the BYU coaching staff led him to make a quick commitment to the Cougars. A 2019 prospect, Martin will likely add size in the coming year and has a chance to become a player with a number of major college options.

Missouri and Southern Miss offered Montgomery (Ala.) Lee cornerback Jakorey Hawkins earlier in the week and he showed why Saturday. He burned the track in the 40 yard dash with a 4.38 second time. He is a long corner who is closing in on double-digit offers. He is a big fan of the Crimson Tide being from Alabama, and they are showing interest, but no offer yet. His stock should continue to rise this spring.

Stockbridge (Ga.) has numerous top prospects in the 2018 class and Abu Bangura is one of them. The 6-foot-2, 231 pound rising senior was an All-Region offensive lineman as a junior, but he is being recruited to play defensive end. Western Michigan has offered and he is hearing a lot from Georgia State, Georgia Southern and Michigan State. He visited the Spartans not too long ago for a junior day.