2021 Team Breakdown: De Smet Jesuit

After a tough finish to last season, falling to Ray-Pec 23-0 in the Class 6 Championship game, De Smet reloads with yet another talented roster. Look for the Spartans to be serious contenders yet again and make another deep run this season. We looked at their top returners entering the 2021 season! <hr /> <em><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>2023</strong></span></em> <strong>TE: [player_tooltip player_id="37655" first="Mac" last="Markway"], 6’4, 240</strong> An absolute mauler of a tight end who looks to finish every block he makes. Markway has a violent upper-half that he uses to deliver punishing blows on defenders. He’s a surehanded tight end who’s not afraid to go up and make plays in traffic. He’s easily one of the top five tight-end prospects in the country. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12825281/5fe9476da023891b5ca805f3" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>RB: [player_tooltip player_id="37659" first="Allen" last="Mitchell"], 5’11, 175</strong> A shifty back who can stop and start &amp; change direction. He’s shown sticky hands and the ability to lineup in the slot &amp; create mismatches on outside linebackers. He’s a fantastic route runner who can quickly pump on the breaks and work back to the football. He can scoot, too, oftentimes splitting two defenders on his way to the endzone. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12850769/5fc9436f64ea1908b4ef689e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id="37686" first="Demetrion" last="Cannon"], 6’, 180</strong> Cannon shows quick hands and the ability to win contested matchups. He’s even willing to take a shot if it means hauling in a reception over the middle. He’s a smart route runner and understands the holes in zone coverage &amp; where to sit in them. As a defensive end, he dominates tackles with sheer quickness and bend off the edge. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12400580/5fa829b3d225c1075cfe9955" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>LB: Cameron Wright, 6’, 200</strong> A talented blitzer that plays with a non-stop motor. Wright does a good job scraping backside and using a gator tackle when he’s out-leveraged. Look for him to take on a bigger role in 2021. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12934929/5fcbe90a0c554d0b20a11a53" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id="37662" first="Christian" last="Gray"], 6’1, 175 </strong> A taller corner prospect that is comfortable being left out on an island. Gray shows good technique, running to the near-hip, then playing through the man. Once in phase, he will lean on his target and look back towards the quarterback. He’s got solid feet in press and can effortlessly mirror opposing receiver’s releases off the line. Gray shows a solid off-hand jam and the ability to run stride for stride with speedy targets. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12884691/5dd4a6b20dca9901ec89dc58" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">2022</span></strong></em> <strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id="37536" first="Kaleb" last="Purdy"], 5’11, 170</strong> An instinctive safety prospect whose not afraid to roll down and man-up slots. Purdy has a knack for being around the football and will consistently make plays if he’s left unblocked. His mixture of closing speed and pure physicality is hard to find in a high school safety. Despite only being one hundred and seventy pounds, Purdy can even play in the box and won’t look out of place doing so. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11243608/5fc47515f31c53105ccab059" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>LB: Chris Skiljan, 6’1, 225</strong> Skiljan is a mike linebacker through and through. This young man can close on ball carriers in an instant once he diagnoses a run. Chris will speed his feet on contact and can create knockback on opposing offensive linemen. He’s even shown some versatility, kicking outside as a five-technique and rushing off the edge. I expect him to have a big senior season and to see his offer list expand because of it. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9205532/5fc55a0cf327b70654e3db3f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id="37567" first="Jordan" last="Coleman"], 6’1, 175</strong> Coleman is a loose-hipped corner prospect that shows no issues reverse pivoting in press coverage. He’s patient at the line and will wait for wideouts to declare where they’re heading. He’s capable of kicking inside as a nickel and can excel there in man coverage situations. He’s willing to come up and tackle in run support and shows no hesitation in doing so. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13652163/5fc58bfcd21c9b087488602a" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>QB: [player_tooltip player_id="37594" first="Seth" last="Marcione"], 6’2, 210</strong> A fierce competitor on the field who looks to challenge anyone when he has the ball in his hands. Seth is a tough runner between the tackles and consistently finishes his runs falling forward. He’s fantastic on zone reads and will look to break to the edge. He’s shown a quick wind-up and is deadly as an intermediate thrower. Don’t be shocked if he plays another position at the next level, as he’s athletic enough to do so. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12604972/5fc552924210270f6c9b2856" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>