Prospects emerge at Showcase Football Northwest Regional
Gresham, OR. Showcase Football made it’s way to the Pacific Northwest and held their first event in the region at Gresham High School on Sunday. It was a cold day with light rain but a handful of prospects emerged and stood out amongst the group.
Offensively, the group was led by ‘24 Worcester Academy (MA) Alexander Emery who measured in at 6’1 181. Emery, a good athlete showed quick feet, agile pocket mobility and smooth delivery in drills. During the team competition phase, his leadership, athleticism and ability to keep his eyes down field under pressure was impressive. His group scored the only offensive touchdown in 11 on 11. Emery demanded the ball inside the 5-yard line and scored on a designed QB run on the ensuing play. Also, on another play Emery felt pressure, stepped up in the pocket, floated to his right and hit a second level crossing route for a big first down. That type of play, along with the above mentioned tangibles are what will have college coaches interested in seeing more of Emery down the road. He was named QB MVP.
The running backs were led by ‘23 Stanwood (WA) Ryder Bumgardner. The all-state RB was the talk of the event at check-in measuring at 5’9 185 and ripped from head to toe. The muscularly bult Bumgardner began the day at receiver where he was effortless catching the ball. He moved over to the running back group and was explosive in drills. During 1 on1 competition he didn’t lose a rep in pass protection as opposing linebackers tried to pass rush against him. After dominating that drill, he moved back to the receiver group for 1 on 1 where he used his quickness and strong build to create separation or body defenders from breaking up passes. The versatility and tougness of Bungardner make him an intriguing offensive prospect because he can be used as a chess piece to create and exploit mismatches. He was named RB MVP.
The offensive line had a good day and a couple prospects really stood out above the rest. 3-star Kennedy Catholic (WA) OL Micah Banuelos was dominant at all 5 OL positions. he took a ton of reps and only lost one 1 on 1 battle. He was a leader on the field asking for the ball to be ran behind him in clutch situations in team drills. Banuelos is a big time competitior. He measured in at 6’3 305 with 79-inch wingspan. Those long arms and quick feet allow him to mirror pass rushers and recover on any initial move. Banuelos is very strong in the lower body and moves other humans against their will in the run game. He projects as a Power 5 offensive center at the next-level with capabilities to play either guard spot. For his effort and production, Banuelos was named OL MVP. Another notable OL prospect turned heads in ‘23 Liberty (OR) Ryan Berger. He measured in at 6’5 285 and showed good bend and flexibility in drills. He won the “board drill” competition where competitiors drive their feet to move the opposition off their spot. He was solid in pass protection drills and displayed a ferocious, competitive spirit throughout day. He definitely deserves to be on the recruiting radar FBS-FCS schools in the west as a tackle propsect.
The receiver group was led by ‘23 South Salem (OR) WR Jaxon Watson who won the ‘fastest man’ competition to begin the on-field session, measured in at 5’11 168 with a 74-inch wingspan. Watson used his speed and length to run past and reach over defenders in 1 on 1 competiton. He has easy speed with a nice burst to the ball while finishing plays. Watson was named WR MVP. Honorable mention, ‘25 Kenwood (WA) WR Canyon Bumgardner made a couple nice leaping grabs during 1 on 1s and team drills.
The defensive prospects played well in spurts and that started up front in the trenches with ‘23 W.F. West (WA) DL Daniel Matagi. The interior defender measured in at 6’0 265 with 74-inch wingspan. Matagi has a massive lower frame and used it well to get off the ball and be a vertical disruptor. He won the “board drill” on the defesive side of the ball using his leg drive and leverage to overpower the opposition. Matagi was quiick and shifty in pass rush drills. His first step closed air space and he was clever setting up moves off his initial get off. Matagi was a problem in team drills. He was consistently in the back field unless he was faced with double teams. Matagi was named DL MVP. If there was a most improved player award that would’ve gone to William Buzzard, a teammate of Daniel Matagi at W. F West in Washington. Buzzard measured in at 6’3.5 with 78-inch wingspan. He started off showing plus moventment ability and athleticism at his size but once competition started he seemed to disappear. As the event progressed, Buzzard got a chane to be coached up and learning some new moves and techniques, he came alive and finsihed with a flurry. He matched up with Banuelos numerous times and came out on the losing end until their final 1 on1 rep where Buzzard was credited with a sack from his defensive end position.
The linebacker group was slim but Stevenson (WA) ‘24 LB Hudson Holzhauer walked away with MVP honors. He took a ton of reps and made some athletic plays during the 9 on 7 drill and 7 on 7.
‘24 Liberty (OR) DB Tanner Steinbach earned MVP honors at the defensive back position. He was technically sound and snatched four interceptions on the day and got his hands on many pass attempts.
