The 2020 Defenisve All-Deckmo Team

Before there was <em>Madden</em>, there was <em>Techmo Super Bowl</em>, both video games provided thousands of hours of entertainment for young gamers, football players, future coaches, and future scouts. The name and the face that would serve as the marketing tool behind one of the top-selling video game series of all time was the legendary John Madden. I was one of those young gamers, who later became a coach, sportswriter, and now a scout. <em>Techmo </em>was my jam. I won many regular-season titles running Bo Jackson like crazy until he would get hurt and be replaced by Marcus Allen. Jackson would always return off the IR before the playoffs and I would win the Super Bowl. Good times! The most important event other than the Super Bowl, or any Dallas Cowboys win for that matter, during the NFL season was when Madden would announce his All-Madden Team. In my first year as a Senior Scout for Prep Redzone Kansas, I scouted nine games and 18 teams. I drove almost 2,000 miles combined to see those 19 games.  I would have liked to scout a couple more Thursday night games, but with my volleyball scouting and college teaching duties, time and date commitments were sometimes limited. Cancellations and schedule changes that were COVID-19 related did not help any either. It has been a hectic 2020 season for football players, coaches, and athletic directors. Anyone who was able to watch a Kansas prep game in person should be thankful for the hard work of those individuals who pulled the games off. Yesterday I releases the All-Deckmo Offensive squad, but today I highlight the tough guys who are supposed to shut their opponent’s best offensive weapons down. Only players I saw play in person were eligible for the squad. Here is the 2020 All-Deckmo Defensive Team. <strong>DL, Eli Tucker, 6’3”, 312, Girard </strong>– Tucker is a beast. He was a defensive difference-maker in a 21-10 win over Colgan in the season opener. He finished the game with four tackles and a sack. He could project as an NAIA or JUCO performer. Tucker also plays offensive tackle, but he was more impressive on defense in the win. <strong>DL, [player_tooltip player_id="35447" first="Nolan" last="Wilborn"], 5’11”, 202, Hoisington (’21 Ranked No. 139)</strong> – Wilborn, a senior, can anchor a defensive line. He fills gaps and is able to free up his linebackers behind him. He had four tackles in a win over the Minneapolis Lions. He is looking for his first college offer. <strong>DL, Keyon Baccus, 5’11”, 208, Minneapolis </strong> – Baccus, the all-time sack leader in the Minneapolis Lions program added two more sacks in a close loss to Hoisington. He lined up at defensive end, but he could play linebacker or defensive tackle. He finished with eight tackles for Minneapolis. He is a potential match-up problem at the next level and he could move to offensive guard or full back <strong>DL, [player_tooltip player_id="35470" first="Jayden" last="Rainer"], 6’2”, 190, (’21 Ranked 131 ) – </strong>Rainer, who made 11 sacks in 2019, has excellent closing speed. He lines up mostly at defensive end but could be moved to linebacker. He had a solid game in a losing effort against Seaman that I scouted. He is strong and quick to read plays. <strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="35438" first="Dylan" last="Ward"], 6’2’, 195, Lansing (’21 Ranked No. 125) </strong>– Ward is a beast of a linebacker. He led Lansing with 11 tackles in a win over Pittsburg. He is not afraid to stick his nose in on a play and hits hard. He has quality speed and has all the tools of the prototypical middle linebacker. He probably tops out as an FCS type prospect who should for sure get looks from Division II and III teams. Ward finished the season with 79 tackles and six pass deflections. <strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="35363" first="Brandon" last="Bowles"], 6’1”,190, Maize South (’21 Ranked No. 30)</strong> – Bowles is a tough and aggressive defensive player. He has a nose for the football and good lateral movement. He had four tackles and a sack in the first half of a loss against Derby. Bowles has received offers from JUCO level programs. <strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="35479" first="Jordan" last="Rainer"], 6’3”, 190, Hayden  (’21 Ranked 168)</strong> – Rainer has a football motor and belongs on the defensive side of the ball. He is a run-stuffing linebacker and can run down fast runners. He had nine tackles in a loss to the Seaman Vikings. He is being looked at by JUCO coaches. <strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="35364" first="Jacob" last="Younkman"], 5’10”, 195, Wichita Northwest (Ranked No. 23)</strong> – Younkmann is a dangerous linebacker on stunts. He is an intelligent linebacker who provides solid coverage against the passing game. He had two pass breaks ups and four tackles in a game against Wichita Southeast.  He runs a 4.6 forty. He is strong and smart enough to maintain gap responsibilities, but quick and dangerous on blitzes. <strong>DB, [player_tooltip player_id="35353" first="Wetu" last="Kalomo"], 6’1”, 195, Wichita Northwest (Ranked No. 12)</strong> – Kalomo is a cover corner who runs a 4.46 forty.  He had two tackles and one pass break-up in a win over Wichita Southeast. He thrives in the powerful Grizzly defense and has incredible ball-hawking skills.  Kalomo verbally committed over the weekend to play at the University of Northern Illinois. <strong>DB, [player_tooltip player_id="35360" first="Todrick" last="McGee"], 5’11”, 170, Wichita Northwest (Ranked No. 19)</strong> – McGee arguably could be the best all-around athlete at Northwest. He had six tackles in the game including an impressive open-field tackle of a kickoff return, McGee also return punts for Wichita Northwest. He has an impressive combination of speed and strength. He has received offers from DI schools including Missouri State. <strong>DB, Ethan Cunning, 6’2”, 175</strong>, <strong>Lansing</strong> – Cunning, just a junior, was all over the field against Pittsburg. He amassed nine tackles in the victory. Think of him as lining up in the strong safety/monster back position. He is for sure worth a look by Junior College scouts and could get offers from larger programs as he continues to improve and get stronger. He finished the season with 34 tackles. <strong>Honorable Mention</strong>: DL, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="49695" first="Peyton" last="Wiechman"]</strong>, Maize South; DL, <strong>Clayton Kellerman</strong>, Anderson County; DL, <strong>Quinton Dorsey</strong>, Derby; LB, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35635" first="Haven" last="Lysell"]</strong>, Smoky Valley; LB, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35443" first="Will" last="DeVader"]</strong>, Hayden; LB, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35399" first="Coleson" last="Syring"]</strong>, Derby; DB, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35382" first="Tanner" last="Knox"]</strong>, Derby; DB, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="35614" first="Richie" last="Patrick"]</strong>; Lansing.