College Football Recruiting 2012: The Top Performers at the USC NIKE Camp

The NIKE Football Training Camps are the prime events to attend for rising high school football players. The camp is invite only, so you know you are surrounded by great players.

I was invited and participated in the camp at USC the spring before my senior year and it was an amazing experience.

Besides yours truly, NFTC alumni include Reggie Bush, Larry Fitzgerald, Mark Sanchez, Vince Young, Patrick Peterson and a slew of others.

Chances are, when you watch a college or NFL game, at the very least half of the players in that game went to a NFTC as a prep player.

The 2011 camps are underway, with Miami hosting the first edition a few weeks ago. Next week the camp heads to TCU, but this past weekend USC hosted the NFTC.

Let's take a look at some of the performers that made noise.

OL: Jordan Simmons

I've been following Simmons since his junior year when he transferred to Crespi (CA).

I went to see him play in person but he was hurt hat game, yet when I spoke with him on the field during pre-game, his size and girth was off the charts.

Simmons entered the USC NFTC as the top lineman on hand and left with the OL MVP award.

At 6'5", 330 pounds, Simmons has the ability to play right tackle or guard in college. He's strong at the point, and moves well in a phone booth.

Nimble feet, athletic ability and set quickness are just a few outstanding traits Simmons has. He's a national level recruit and has been offered a spot by just about all of the major FBS programs.

DL: Ellis McCarthy and Aziz Shittu

Shittu was nearly unblockable at the camp, and reminds me a bit of 2011 Texas signee Desmond Jackson.

Shittu has over 15 offers to date, shows the skill set to be a great 4-3 under tackle/three-technique, and the 6'3", 275 pounder has excellent snap quickness.

What really impresses me about his game is his understanding of leverage—Shittu's pad level is always underneath the blocker's pads and this gives him an advantage.

McCarthy could be the defensive tackle to challenge Eddie Goldman as best in the country for 2012.

Physically, McCarthy is a college junior right now, as he stands 6'5" and is around 310 pounds. He's an excellent athlete with snap quickness, strength and playmaking ability. 

LB: Butch Pauu & Jabari Ruffin

Pauu is not the type to wow you in a combine or 7-on-7 setting, but pop on his tape and you see him make tackle after tackle.

At 6'0", 210 pounds, he's uber-instictive versus the run and shows solid play speed to ball carriers.

He came to the camp with something to prove after not faring well at the Army combine, and left the USC NFTC as the LB MVP.

He has an offer from Washington and Iowa State, with UCLA and Stanford among a few other schools showing interest.

Ruffin, who is committed to USC, has the makings of top level SAM linebacker.

At 6'4", 230 pounds, he is a big 'backer but has excellent athleticism. He showed off his skill set in pass coverage at the camp, and also can come up as a light a ball carrier up versus the run.

WR: Randall Goforth

Long Beach Poly is not only one of the top high school programs in the country for producing college talent, but this program has produced a plethora of NFL stars. 

Randall Goforth could be next in line, as the receiver took home the WR MVP award at the USC NFTC on Sunday.

5'10", 160 pounds, Golforth dazzled with his release quickness, speed, route running, sharp cuts out of breaks and concentration to catch the football.

He can work out of the slot and make an impact in the return game as well.

Arizona State is his leader right now.

Malik Gilmore, Gabe Marks and Bryce Treggs all were in attendance and also impressed.

TE: Taylor McNamara

At 6'5", 235 pounds, McNamara could be the top TE on the west coast this year.

He displayed very soft hands, a large strike zone and pluckability at the camp. His length and hands really make him a QB friendly target.

He's not the fastest or quickest, but McNamara knows how to shield defenders form the ball and snatches everything in sight.

He has 14 offers, including Florida State, USC, Michigan, Stanford, Notre Dame and Ohio State.

He recently visited Cal, where he also has an offer.

DB: Ishmael Adamas

Adams is a player than can play both running back and corner, yet he lined up primarily as a corner on Sunday.

He hails from Oaks Christian (CA), which is a powerhouse program, and is a teammate of USC pledge Jordan Payton.

He won the DB MVP award, showing off transition and short area quickness in coverage.

Adams, 5'10" and 185 pounds, also is very physical, showing solid press and re-routing ability at the line.

He has 10 offers, with UCLA, Arizona and Oregon State recently being added to the list.

RB: Jahleel Pinner

Pinner is another player that comes from an elite high school program, as he totes the rock for Mission Viejo (CA).

At 6'1", 225 pounds, he has the skill set to become a great "big 'back" type that can push piles, beat up defenses and move the chains for an offense in college.

Also, as with all big backs, don't rule out seeing Pinner moving to fullback and becoming a rushing/receiving threat type rather then an iso lead blocker type.

QB: Matt Morin

At 6'2", 190 pounds, it has been just about a calendar year for Morin since the last LA NFTC where he fared well.

He came back this year and won the QB MVP award, showing great arm strength and improved accuracy.

He can move and buy time in the pocket, and can attack the edges making throws on the run.

He has an offer from Colorado, and with a great performance on Sunday combined with the spring-eval period coming up, Morin should be receiving more offers soon.

Connor Brewer, a Texas pledge, also was in attendance and looked good.