DAYTONA BEACH – Players from all over the Southeast lit up the field at Daytona Stadium during Global Sports Daytona on Sunday. But it was the hometown athletes that ran away with some eye-popping performances.
Rising junior running back Trell Edwards and incoming freshman Zae Martin showed some blistering speed in the 40-yard dash, clocking times of 4.41 seconds and 4.49, respectively. Both play for Daytona Beach Mainland, which won the Class 3S state championship last fall.
“A 4.4 is great, but I really think I can bust a 4.3,” said Edwards. “But it’s all about getting better, staying patient.”
Edwards and Martin were two of approximately 50 athletes who learned the art of patience, along with a myriad of techniques, at Global Sports Daytona –a regional evaluation combine that offered the chance to earn a spot in the All-American Game this winter at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium.
Athletes ran through a number of speed and agility drills that mirror the NFL Combine: 40-yard dash, 5-10-5, L-Drill, Max Vertical Jump, and Broad Jump, as well as participated in measurements, and offensive/defensive drills. Testing scores were provided by Prep Prospect Report.
Edwards, who incredibly has no offers, so far, will likely open a lot of eyes with his 40 time. He also created huge separation in passing drills with his cuts and speed. But running fast is nothing new to the speedster, who also runs track for the Buccaneers.
Strongly built at 5-foot-9, 165 pounds, Edwards ran a similar time last month in the FSU Combine. He used that speed in a big way in this year’s spring game, averaging more than 75 yards.
He said the keys to running fast are “working out, doing a bunch of squats and really, running track.”
Edwards said he can squat 435 pounds already. On the track, he has run a 10.9 in the 100-meter dash, a 22.9 in the 200, and a 10.8 split in the 4 X 100 relay.
As for football, he is confident Mainland can make a run at a repeat, and with a new coach to boot: Jerrime “Squatty” Bell.
“Mainland’s chances right now are great,” Edwards said. “We have a great team, (but) we always have a great team.
“Squatty is a great coach,” Edwards said. “He’s been a great coach since he was at Atlantic High School. But coming over (to Mainland) now, he’s got better kids.”
Martin, meanwhile, is aiming to play wide receiver and return kicks for the Bucs. His explosiveness in the 40 got a lot of people’s attention, but he said it’s all in the genes and just plain hard work.
“I want to do better,” Martin said. “I want a 4-flat for sure. It’s in my genes but you got to work for it. It’s not going to come to you, you gotta work for it.”
Martin, who said his father is a former Seminole High running back and wide receiver, ran through his fourth combine this year already.
Among the linemen on hand was massive incoming junior offensive lineman Javeion Cooper (6-4, 299), who made a staggering 20 pancake blocks last fall in leading Melbourne Central Catholic to the state playoffs.
Blessed with raw strength, a big frame and great footwork, the four-star tackle showed some nice moves in drills. He broke his foot two months ago, but was cleared recently to return to the field.
“The combine is good,” Cooper said. “Just coming back from recovery. Trying to participate in the camps. I missed out on UCF and Miami. Coming into this one, I wanted to open up a little bit.”
Cooper said he spent time watching his younger brother, Jayden Jordan (6-4, 284), “dominate” at combines earlier this year. But he was ready to get back into the flow again.
Having received five offers already, including Pitt, Cooper said he enjoyed the 5-10-5 agility drill the best.
“With lineman, you really only need 10 yards, 20 yards,” Cooper said. “It’s just the explosiveness, the power, the agility – (the event) helps you get better like that.”
As for colleges, Cooper mentioned Clemson as a favorite, but he said he really likes Syracuse. “I love the coaches,” he said. “I love the coaching staff.”
Among the newer linemen, Hagerty incoming sophomore Edwin Reyes hopes to make his mark this fall for the Huskies. He played JV last year, but is ready to step up his game for varsity this season.
“It’s a pleasure to be here,” Reyes said. “Ready to work my hardest. Do my best. Show what I can do, and have fun.”
Reyes will play at defensive tackle for Hagerty, which has enjoyed three consecutive winning seasons. He said the combine helped him prepare for the Huskies’ winning tradition.
“Definitely helps my agility and my speed,” he said.
Edwards, Martin and Cooper were among players who were named “Top Performers” by combine coaches at the end of drills. Joining them were: Deltona Pine Ridge’s Deandre Weston and Chelden Williams, Dutchtown High’s Alex Walters, Jamarion McKinney and Taurus Maxey Jr. of Hampton, Ga., Melbourne High’s Brennan Waldrop, Wekiva’s Jamarion Robinson, and Malik Daniels.