Former Husker and NFL player Steve Warren organized the Warren Academy Showcase Saturday. High school prospects from the area came out to take advantage of the first opportunity for recruiting exposure in a while after spring and summer evaluations were lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In total there were around 140 prospects that came out to go through position drills and one-on-ones.
Hail Varsity was on the scene to check out the action. Here are my five thoughts from the camp.
Fidone Is the Real Deal
Coming into the camp there was a buzz about 4-star tight end Thomas Fidone being in attendance. He certainly didn’t need to showcase his skills. He is one of the most heavily recruited tight ends in the country. But he wanted to compete and he did not disappoint. Fidone is an impressive looking prospect physically. He moves well too and is a mismatch nightmare for defenders.
4-star TE @ThomasFidone with a nice grab in one on ones at the Warren Academy Showcase. pic.twitter.com/DWNMfhaaCL
— Greg Smith (@GregSmithHV) July 25, 2020
Had a pretty smooth one-handed sideline catch off a double move at one point today.
4-star TE Thomas Fidone was as advertised as a pass-catcher. Really impressed by his physicality in-person. Top guy on the #Huskers board for a reason. pic.twitter.com/cCDzwTY7B2
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) July 25, 2020
It’s easy to see why the Huskers, LSU, Texas and others are chasing him. Stay tuned to Hail Varsity for more from Fidone on where his recruitment stands.
Deshawn Woods Is an Impressive Athlete
When you see the 2022 Omaha Central lineman you quickly see why he has the early offers that he does. At 6-3, 260-pounds, he doesn’t have much bad weight on him at all. Woods had a really nice camp particularly in the one-on-one run blocking drills.
Out at the Warren Academy Showcase checking out a host of local 2021, 22, and 23 kids.
Here’s Deshawn Woods, a 2022 OL out of Omaha Central. One of the top kids in the state for the ‘22 cycle. pic.twitter.com/AzUnm7U5fK
— Derek Peterson (@DrPeteyHV) July 25, 2020
I’ll have more later on his recruitment. But Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa State are the schools contacting him most at this point.
Kaden Helms Will Blow Up
We’ve talked a lot about 2021 prospect Keagan Johnson or 2022 tight end Micah Riley. It’s time for Husker fans to get to know Kaden Helms. The hybrid tight end has a great frame at 6-foot-5, 215 pounds. He ran good routes and displayed good hands through the camp on Saturday. Iowa State is his lone offer right now. I expect that to change in a big way soon. He’s a legitimate Power 5 prospect in a long line of them from Bellevue West.
Makhi Nelson-Douglas One to Watch
Nelson-Douglas is one of the prospects in the state who was affected most by camps and visits not happening this spring and summer. I believe he’d be on recruiting radars much more if he could have gone on the road to show what he can do. He has displayed good size, quickness and aggression during camp. He could have a big senior season at Elkhorn South.
Great to Have Football Back
It’s been a tough stretch for young athletes as they hopefully prepare for a football season this year. When events like the Warren Academy Showcase happen it’s easy to remember why they are so important for high school athletes. Many athletes were able to show they’ve been working through the pandemic. Players like athlete Aiden Young, offensive lineman Isaac Zatechka, defensive linema Aiden Betz and defensive lineman Kaedyn Reynolds all had great days showing their skill sets. Hopefully this camp is a sign of what’s to come in the state of Nebraska.
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
