Dear Diary: Final thoughts from Elite 11 Finals and OT7 Finals

This dear diary series has been a form of therapy throughout the week on the West Coast. Friday was the last day of the Elite 11 Finals and day two of the OT7 Championships.

There was a lot of Georiga intrigue at both events. Most of the focus has been on the quarterbacks and offensive players this week.

On Friday, the thing that made my jaw drop was a defensive star.

‘Ellis Island’ steals the show

Dear Diary,

Georiga’s offense will be exciting to watch in the years to come. Do not let it be lost on you that Kirby Smart will always be a defensive man at heart.

His recruiting ways still shine true to that. Five-star cornerback Ellis Robinson IV buzz throughout the crowd gathered at Golden West College on Friday.

Robinson snagged an interception earlier in the game off of a tipped pass. It was his match-up with the top-ranked wide receiver in the class of 2024 Jeremiah Smith that has my attention. Smith ‘Mossed’ (I feel pretty old using that saying) early in the game.

Robinson got the last laugh. To close the win for Miami Raw, Robinson jumped a Colin Hurley pass and intercepted a pass that was bound for Smith. Robinson showed a clutch gene, a sense of pride, a short memory and a bit of a mean streak on Friday.

The five-star cornerback has been known as a well-oiled technician. Friday showed that Robinson is a guy that will be fine in the foxholes of big-time college football someday.

Quarterback commits Dylan Raiola and Ryan Puglisi are both wired differently but wired for success

Raiola and Puglisi are both very different and yet they have a lot in common. That was on display throughout the week at Elite 11.

Raiola was everyone’s top quarterback coming in. Expectations are always going to be through the roof with the top-ranked player in America.

Raiola hears them. He’s also not lost to the fact that being perfect isn’t realistic. When a drill didn’t go well, Raiola’s next touch of the football was set to be something special. Raiola hasn’t been on the camp circuit much. He wanted to take this week to showcase why he’s so highly regarded. That was a very important factor in him making his way to Los Angeles this week.

That is to be commended.

Puglisi has a lot of raw ability. There’s arm strength, mobility and toughness oozing out of him. Watching Puglisi this week, he wreaks of an uber-competitive winner. Puglisi has played a lot of different sports in his life and winning is important to him.

After each session, ‘getting better’ or fixing this or that were some of the first things on the tip of his tongue.

That is another commendable trait.

Long story short, both these young signal callers have talent. Both of their approaches to life and to the game of football are ways to success.

Demello Jones and NiTareon Tuggle the high-upside wildcards of 2024 class

Jones and Tuggle now boast four-star rankings. Neither player has been on the bingo card nationally for a long time.

Georgia saw it early. Both players have a major upside. They both took part in OT7 Championships this week. Jones has played literally every skill position at Swainsboro High School.

Jones will likely fit somewhere in Georgia’s secondary if he signs with the Bulldogs in December. He is a speedy athlete with a lot of raw ability. Jones could elevate when he focuses on one position.

Tuggle’s highlight tape is a wild watch. He moved to IMG Academy for this senior season. Watching him in 7-on-7, he didn’t touch the ball a ton while I was in attendance but he moves like an explosive playmaker.

Tuggle’s knack and athleticism bring a lot of intrigue. What happens when a guy that has been the guy for a long time, and adds other guys that can do the same things he can? In Tuggle’s case, he could flourish. He will have less attention dedicated to him on a game day.

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