Three NHS football players headed to Ultimate 100
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 12, 2009
NATCHEZ — Three Natchez High football players will be taking a special summer trip in June.
Cornerback Devonte Jackson, linebacker Raymond Williams and defensive back Brian Isaac have all been invited to the Schuman’s National Underclassman Combine Ultimate 100 Camp in Dallas, Texas.
The camp, which will be June 25 and 26 at Duncanville High School, is for the top performers at individual underclassmen combines across the country.
And of seven Natchez High attendees, Isaac, Williams and Jackson were picked as the top of their class.
“I’ve been studying all the other kids that are going to be there (in Dallas),” Williams, a sophomore, said. “I’ve been watching them all on the results Web site. But they aren’t really anything too special — I’m ready for them.”
Williams was named to the sophomore all-combine defensive team following the February event in at Scotlandville High School in Baton Rouge.
He ran a 4.83-second 40-meter dash and a 4.62-second shuttle, and he bench-pressed 155 pounds 23 times.
He said his intensity during his performance is what helped him make the Ultimate 100, and it will help him make a decision about playing at the next level in the future.
“They evaluate you by your events and your testing,” Williams said. “It will help me see where I stand as an athlete and where I need to get better.”
Isaac, a sophomore, was named the defensive backs’ most valuable player.
Isaac ran a 4.5-second 40-meter dash and a 4.35-second shuttle.
Jackson, a freshman, was selected to the eight and ninth grade all-combine defensive team.
“There’s so many camps out there for these young men when it comes to being seen and going to the next level,” Natchez High coach Lance Reed said. “They’re doing a good job of taking advantage of what those camps can do for them as far as exposure.
“I applaud them for taking part, and I wish them the best. I hope that they can get all they want out of it.”
Williams, who has family in Dallas, will travel with his dad and his brother to the camp.
He said the Ultimate 100 and the underclassmen combine are already paying off for him.
“I’ve been getting recruited by four good schools right now,” Williams said. “Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Tennessee have all sent me letters.”