THOMASVILLE, N.C. --- For the first time in a couple years, the rain held off to allow the Shrine Bowl Invite Practice to be conducted outside.
* Prior to the practice, Ray Grier humbly worried aloud that he might not make the Shrine Bowl roster. Ironically, if an MVP was awarded for the Thursday night's practice, the Belmont (N.C.) South Point receiver would have won it by a land slide. Although he was noticeably raw, he was dominant-- so much so that the QBs locked onto him and forced throws his direction. But it surprisingly made a lot of sense because Grier seemed to come down with every ball thrown his direction -- even when drowning in a sea of three defenders.
* Jefferson Boaz was among the six who worked out at quarterback. But, the 6-foot-7 athlete from Pilot Mountain (N.C.) East Surry also ran routes during one-on-ones and played tight end in team drills. He flashed some nice physicality while at tight end.
* All five of the UNC commits in attendance -- Boaz, Elijah Burris, Jayden Chalmers, Grier, and Malik McGowan -- said they plan on returning to Chapel Hill later this month for a barbecue.
* It goes without saying that UNC needs to get Anthony Carter on campus to remain in the race. The Matthews (N.C.) Butler offensive lineman will release his top 5 soon. Due to the lack of a visit under the Mack Brown regime, UNC isn't one of the schools guaranteed a spot, Carter said.
* There was a lot of buzz around Desmond Evans and UNC. The five-star defensive end has previously mentioned a January or February announcement. But, it sounds like a commitment could come much sooner.
* Fellow UNC commits Myles Murphy and Cameron Roseman-Sinclair were invited but elected not to attend. The Shrine Bowl staff is interested in DJ Jones but haven't been able to connect with him or his coach
* Prior to the practice, Ray Grier humbly worried aloud that he might not make the Shrine Bowl roster. Ironically, if an MVP was awarded for the Thursday night's practice, the Belmont (N.C.) South Point receiver would have won it by a land slide. Although he was noticeably raw, he was dominant-- so much so that the QBs locked onto him and forced throws his direction. But it surprisingly made a lot of sense because Grier seemed to come down with every ball thrown his direction -- even when drowning in a sea of three defenders.
* Jefferson Boaz was among the six who worked out at quarterback. But, the 6-foot-7 athlete from Pilot Mountain (N.C.) East Surry also ran routes during one-on-ones and played tight end in team drills. He flashed some nice physicality while at tight end.
* All five of the UNC commits in attendance -- Boaz, Elijah Burris, Jayden Chalmers, Grier, and Malik McGowan -- said they plan on returning to Chapel Hill later this month for a barbecue.
* It goes without saying that UNC needs to get Anthony Carter on campus to remain in the race. The Matthews (N.C.) Butler offensive lineman will release his top 5 soon. Due to the lack of a visit under the Mack Brown regime, UNC isn't one of the schools guaranteed a spot, Carter said.
* There was a lot of buzz around Desmond Evans and UNC. The five-star defensive end has previously mentioned a January or February announcement. But, it sounds like a commitment could come much sooner.
* Fellow UNC commits Myles Murphy and Cameron Roseman-Sinclair were invited but elected not to attend. The Shrine Bowl staff is interested in DJ Jones but haven't been able to connect with him or his coach
