Posted: Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:23 AM - 10,322 Readers

By: Jamie Newberg

Day 1 of the of the Gridiron Kings is in the books and the players are prepared for tomorrow's 7-on-7 competition that will match up the country's four regions -- Southeast, Southwest, West and Midwest  to determine a champion. There are 64 players in all and they represent some of the elite football talent in the country. In fact, 22 ESPNU 150 prospects are in this event.

One of the most impressive offensive players in today's practice session was Texas Tech quarterback commitment Michael Brewer (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis). He will lead the Southwest squad and Brewer's plan is to lead them to the championship.

"This is awesome," Brewer said. "There are some incredible athletes out here that are so talented. Sure it will take a bit to get used to everyone. But I think if I am patient this offense will be great tomorrow. We can win this whole thing."

The West squad had a few surprise standouts in quarterback Michael Bercovici (Woodland Hills, Calif./Taft) and wide receiver Brandin Cooks (Stockton, Calif.Lincoln). Bercovici, an Arizona State commitment, has a lively and accurate arm. This kid can really throw the football.

"Man, this is by far the most exciting thing I have ever been a part of," Bercovici said. "There are so many elite players and I have to have my game on. These 7-on-7s are so much fun and one of my favorite things to do. Look at our roster; we are loaded at receiver and tight end. It's the best group of guys I have ever had to work with. I just have to make the right reads and get these guys the ball."

Perhaps the one guy on the West team who is most eye-catching is tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Gig Harbor, Wash./Gig Harbor). He has unreal size (6-foot-6 and 245 pounds), a great frame and good hands. He will be a load to handle defensively and looks like one of the best offensive players here.

Other standouts today were Southeast tight end Nick O'Leary (West Palm Beach, Fla./Dywer); Southeast safety Karlos Williams (Davenport, Fla./Ridge Community); Southeast running back Demetrius Hart (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Hart); Southwest running back Hershcel Sims (Abilene, Texas/Abilene); Southwest cornerback Quandre Diggs (Angelton, Texas/Angleton); Southwest wide receiver Jaxon Shipley (Brownwood, Texas/Brownwood); Midwest linebackers Curtis Grant (Richmond, Va./Hermitage), Travis Hughes (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville) and Conner Crowell (Waldorf, Md./North Point); and Midwest wide receiver DeAnthony Arnett (Saginaw, Mich./Saginaw).

"It's been real fun out here," Arnett said. "We are just trying to call get a feel for the quarterback. There's so much competition. But I feel confident and I am playing well."

*  Story Contributed by: Jamie Newberg