Rising star watch: Marqel McCoy

Marqel McCoy of Berean Christian (Walnut Creek) has shown his size, athleticism and versatility during Friday night games and most recently, the Blue-Grey combine (photo contributed). 

In an area known for strong wide receiver play, Marqel McCoy has emerged as a wideout to watch in the East Bay of California for the Class of 2016.

McCoy - who attends Berean Christian High School in Walnut Creek - has put together the kind of resume that earned him a spot in the Blue-Grey Northern California regional combine in February.

And it was the aftermath of his performance at the combine that's gotten McCoy to be a prospect to watch. Here's a closer look:

WHAT TO LIKE: He has the height (6-foot-3) that a lot of colleges look for in a receiver. But it's really his athleticism and body control during a catch that makes him stand out. McCoy shows excellent eyes and concentration when hauling a reception. He does a consistent job of extending out his hands either above his head or in front of his chest for the grab. He adjusts well to passes that are away from his body. He's got a smooth plant and cut with his feet that fools defensive backs. Tough to bring down after the catch. He's physical at the line and sheds jams in one second. He's dominated one-on-one coverages. Defensively, he reads quarterbacks well and gets in a good position for the interception. Also a hustle player on special teams who'll either wrap and roll a ball carrier for the tackle or recover the onside kick.

WHAT TO BUILD ON: On offense, I'll be interested in seeing if he can make catches low to the ground on a consistent basis. As a safety, I need to see how he takes his angles especially during plays that are away from him. He'll need to add muscle to his 190-pound frame down the road.

OVERALL: McCoy might be the biggest sleeper in a usually talent-rich area of the Golden State. Notable East Bay products include Isaiah Langley (USC), J.J. Koski (Cal Poly) and Darrell Adams (Azusa Pacific). He's made the kind of catches that we see on Sunday's from Kelvin Benjamin of the Carolina Panthers or A.J. Green of the Cincinnati Bengals. 

More on McCoy can be found here. 

GPA: 3.86 (cumulative 3.68)

WINGSPAN: 6'9"

40-YARD TIME: 4.6 seconds

VIDEO FROM THE BLUE-GREY COMBINE: