Opposing quarterbacks beware.
Blake Sharp is a changed man, and he is about to drop some knowledge on you.
The Heritage Academy senior lineman is back in Lowndes County after spending three days at the invitation-only All-Madden Camp in Bradenton, Fla. The camp featured players who were selected from camps/combines in 16 cities and all prior 2011 IMG Madden Football Academy camps.
Sharp, a 6-foot-4, 250-pounder, made quite an impression at the event, earning defensive MVP honors. He received a gold plaque for his performance and a Gatorade package of gifts.
“I thought I did a great job and I felt good about myself, but I didn”t expect the award,” Sharp said. “A lot of other guys were really good, and there were some of the top recruits playing there. When they called my name I didn”t expect it.”
Sharp said the three-day event was replete with drill work and instruction on fundamentals led by current and former NFL coaches. He said the coaches demonstrated techniques each day that the players had to pick up and then implement in a series of group and individual exercises.
“Every bit of it was new to me,” Sharp said. “The goal was to try to get to the quarterback. They didn”t want us to use a bull rush (a full-speed push to the quarterback). They wanted us to use technique and fundamentals to get there.”
Sharp said coaches showed the defensive linemen how to use their hands to work free of blockers and how to use footwork and space to keep offensive linemen off balance. He said his aggressive approach to the instruction gave him an advantage.
Sharp hopes his performance will pay more dividends. He said he will learn in the next two weeks if he is one of 28 athletes selected to the IMG Madden Football Academy 2011 IMG All-Madden Team.
Sharp said that recognition would be great, but he is more eager to apply what he learned to help the Heritage Academy Patriots. He will get his chance to showcase those lessons today at practice, Aug. 11 at a jamboree in Columbus, and Aug. 19 in the team”s season opener at Lamar.
“This is going to help me tremendously,” Sharp said. “From last year to now I am a whole different player. Knowing the stuff I know now, it is a whole different ballgame. I am bigger and stronger. I can”t wait to get out there.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.