Elite Junior recruiting recap: Specialists

Ian Shannon (Marietta): Those who watched the Elite Junior Classic saw Shannon line up for a 57-yard field goal on the South’s first possession of the game. Shannon, who has one of the biggest legs in the state, came up short in the cold and wet conditions. Besides the wintery conditions, adding to the difficulty was that the ball boy never brought out the kicking ball and Shannon was forced to line up the kick with a rock hard quarterback ball. The kick would have likely made it if the equipment was correct. On Shannon’s other two field goal kicks, including a 42-yarder, the 6-foot-4 kicker had plenty of leg. Shannon is a Division 1 kicker at the next level and will make a career as a punter or place kicker. Shannon’s confidence and power make him a difference maker in tight ball games.

Michael Matthews (St. Pius X): Matthews shared reps with St. Pius kicker Thomas O’Leary, who is graduating this spring the past two seasons. The Golden Lions kicking duties will now be completely handled by Matthews, who is more than prepared to take over as the starting punter and place kicker.  Matthews opened the Elite Junior Classic with an onside kick that was recovered by teammate Andrew Butcher. The refs ruled that the ball clipped Butcher’s heel prior to the recovery, but video was never conclusive that it did indeed make contact with the North team and it was a very well-executed kick. Matthews was perfect on both field goal attempts in the game and had plenty of leg on his successful boots. The undersized kicker does not shy away from contact and tackled Camden County return specialist Antonio Wimbush before the first half. Matthews handled the pressure of the All-star game and a kicking duel with one of the country’s best kickers (Ian Shannon) very well and made the job easy for his new snapper and holder.

Blake Ferguson (Buford): At 6-foot-1, 235-pounds, Ferguson is widely considered the nation’s top long snapper in the Class of 2015. Blake’s older brother Reid is a sophomore long snapper at LSU and will be a senior when Blake joins the Tigers in 2015. Blake committed to LSU this September after snapping for the two-time Class AAA defending champion Buford Wolves. Ferguson is automatic when it comes to snapping and has the athleticism and toughness to make a real difference at the position. From Day 1 of Elite Junior practices to the game, Blake was automatic.