After the first day of practice at the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, five-star cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (Wharton/Tampa, Fla.) is enjoying the opportunity to go up against the best high school players in the nation.
For Hargreaves, this isn’t the first time he’s had to defend against some of these players, including fellow Florida Gators commitment and close friend Alvin Bailey.
“Alvin did great. It’s a lot of fun to line up against friends,” Hargreaves said. “You can’t lock those guys down. They’re going to catch the ball regardless.”
As a part of Team Black, Hargreaves received instruction today from the squad’s coach and ESPN football analyst Herm Edwards, a former NFL defensive back and head coach. Being coached by Edwards and other former NFL personnel has been an eye-opener for the 5-foot-11, 185-pound defensive back.
“You come in thinking that you know a lot, and they just hit you with a curveball,” Hargreaves said. “It just makes you a better player.”
“Coach Edwards is so vocal. I just love listening to him [out there],” Hargreaves said.
Hargreaves and the other Under Armour All-Americans will have three more days of practice before taking part in the nationally televised game on Jan. 5 at 5 p.m. in St. Petersburg, Fla.