USNFT Denver Regional Standouts: DBs & LBs

The U.S. National Team Denver Regional was an opportunity for so many middle school and high school athletes from within the state, and from other states, to showcase their skills in front of college and high school coaches. One player from each position was awarded a silver chain that dubbed them as the best performer in their position throughout the entire event. For the defensive backs, [player_tooltip player_id="44636" first="Jayden" last="Allen"] (2022) stood out early during the first day and never looked back. The silver chain for the linebackers went to [player_tooltip player_id="44626" first="Tai" last="Faavae"] (2023), a USNFT regular and Fountain-Fort Carson teammate with Allen. For a more in-depth look into the other award winners, check out <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/05/the-top-players-from-the-u-s-national-team-denver-regional/">The Top Players from the USNFT Denver Regional</a>. Not everyone gets to be named the top player, but that does not mean that there was a shortage of amazingly talented athletes in attendance. Below is a list of the high school defensive backs and linebackers who stood out during the event. [player_tooltip player_id="58955" first="Eddie" last="Lemos"] - Resurrection Christian | 5’10”, 170lbs | 2022 DB Lemos is a ball-hawking playmaker. He plays fast and physically from the safety position, especially when the ball is in the air. He stays aware of receiving threats in his zone while moving with the quarterback’s progressions. Lemos has the athleticism to disrupt passes in the air, even when matched up against 6-foot-3 receivers. [caption id="attachment_139375" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-139375 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/53BED217-A16B-4162-BC7F-93FA09930D87.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> [player_tooltip player_id="149322" first="Jerrick" last="Jackson"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="149322" first="Jerrick" last="Jackson"] | Pomona | 6’1”, 165lbs | 2022 DB Jackson is a corner with a dog mentality. He is a physical DB who plays his leverage well and throws off the pitch-and-catch timing between the QB and WR by initiating contact off the line and at the break. Jackson turned a lot of heads during the first day of the camp and made quite an impression for himself. [player_tooltip player_id="44641" first="Keenan" last="Stokes"] | Chaparral | 6’3”, 215lbs | 2022 LB Stokes was one of many familiar faces to the USNFT event, and he continued to raise his stock value. He is a tall and lengthy backer who can cover the pass extremely well. His length and quickness help him to quickly close the distance between him and the ball carrier. [caption id="attachment_139378" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-139378 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/3EE008E7-A449-426D-8CAF-A601B6E39BE2-300x300.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="22735" first="Miles" last="Sprague"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="22735" first="Miles" last="Sprague"] | Holyoke | 6’2”, 195lbs | 2022 LB Sprague passes the eye test with his solid size and pure athleticism. Because of his speed, he is an extremely versatile backer. He can apply pressure to the passing game as a rusher off of the edge or quickly drop back into the hook/curl/flat zone. In run support, he possesses the quickness to close gaps and the strength to meet them back in the hole and win. [player_tooltip player_id="150065" first="Wyatt" last="Howell"] | West Grand | 5’8”, 165lbs | 2023 DB Howell is the type of player who garners attention on every rep he takes in individual drills, which carries over into competitions. He is fast and athletic, making him hard to beat on deep routes and adjustment catches. His movements are quick and tight when playing safety, allowing him to make explosive breaks out of his read steps and weaves. Christopher Rice | Palmer Ridge | 6’3”, 195lbs | 2023 DB Rice is a lengthy defensive back with ideal size. During the 7-on-7 portions of the competitions, he started to get more vocal and settled in when at his safety position. His backpedals are smooth and he can use his length to gain depth without having to open up as early. [caption id="attachment_139372" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-139372 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/9FADC2CC-F2B9-4C59-9C5E-9ADF3F5331C7.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Issac Bonner (left), Hunter Duran 2024 (right)[/caption] Issac Bonner | Riverdale Ridge | 5’10”, 195lbs | 2023 LB Bonner is another stocky athlete with explosive movements. One thing that stood out about him during 7-on-7 was his eye discipline. There were plays where Bonner would quickly pick up receivers in his zone, ride them out and pass them off, then pick up the releasing back all while vocally communicating with his teammates. Clarence Chaney | Serra (CA) | 5’10”, 225lbs | 2024 LB Chaney is a young player who fit in well with the upperclassmen during the 7-on-7 competitions. He dropped into coverage smoothly as the Mike-backer and made some impressive adjustments when playing as the Will. Chaney made the trip out from California to showcase his talents on a national stage, and he did not disappoint. [caption id="attachment_139370" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="wp-image-139370 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/DA7B230C-2CBE-4248-966A-F5907D2C7427.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Parker Weatherly (left)[/caption] Parker Weatherly | Rocky Mountain (ID) | 6’0”, 205lbs | 2023 LB Weatherly is a player who draws attention off of how well he is able to play from the outside linebacker position. He has sharp eyes when playing the pass and quick lateral movements. Weatherly was one of a few athletes to travel from out of state and put themselves into a national spotlight, including one of his own quarterbacks.