SW Regional Showcase: DB Top Dawgs

<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The SW Regional Showcase had a big group with a lot of young talented defensive backs. There were some true CB1 in attendance along with versatile safeties that looked like they were corners themselves.</span> <img class="size-medium wp-image-323804 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/IMG_2154-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Cah’lil Ward | 5’10” 175lbs | 2024 | Clear Creek </strong></span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">The first thing that caught my eye from Clear Creek safety, Cah’lil Ward was his footwork. His quick feet along with his ability to flip his hips and stay smooth had coaches' eyes on him early. Then we made our way to the competition periods, and man did Ward show out. Even though Ward plays FS, he could have convinced anybody he was CB1. Between getting out his breaks to make plays on the ball, staying over the top, and just not allowing receptions on him, he was the most dominant DB in attendance. His game was so highly regarded that he was awarded the showcase’s Most Outstanding DB.</span> &nbsp; <strong> </strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Zion Jones | 5’10” 165lbs | 2025 | Katy Jordan<img class="size-medium wp-image-323807 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/IMG_2157-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></strong></span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">The most physical press-man corner in attendance had to be Zion Jones. On every single rep, he showed his physicality by getting his hands-on receivers and moving them off their route. Jones was on the hip of his assignment and was overall fundamentally sound throughout the competition. He breaks well on the ball and also has great speed. When the ball is thrown his way, he was able to knock down the ball while maintaining clean coverage. Jordan HS has the future at the corner spot in 2025 CB Zion Jones.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Paul Mencke Jr. | 6’2” 180lbs | 2024 | Samuel Clemens<img class="size-medium wp-image-323809 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/IMG_2156-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> </strong></span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">It’s not every day you see a guy with fluid movement skills at Paul Mencke Jr.’s size (6’5” wingspan). During the individual period, I was paying close attention to the DB group and Mencke popped immediately. In his backpedal he stays low and flips his hips rather well. I never saw him get stuck in a break or stumble. He has the athleticism to play sideline to sideline or to line up and play man against WR/TE. Mencke has the ideal build for a safety and will continue to get stronger and build up his body. The sky is the limit for 2024 DB Paul Mencke Jr.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="278020" first="Ephraim" last="Dotson"] | 6’0.5” 155lbs | 2024 | Hightower <img class="size-medium wp-image-323810 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/IMG_2184-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></strong></span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">With a lengthy frame (6’2” wingspan), [player_tooltip player_id="278020" first="Ephraim" last="Dotson"] is a lockdown guy. He’s very physical at the line and likes to get his hands on the WR. He also has no issue playing off-man. In his backpedal, he stays low and is ready to change direction at any moment. He flips his hips very well and gets in position to make a play on the ball. His lengthy arms made it difficult for WRs to get their hands on the ball as Dotson was able to break up a handful of passes in the 1 on 1’s. Most importantly of all, he was eager and ready to line up against the best of them, regardless of what happened the rep before. A true CB1 mentality.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/DotsonEphraim/status/1515902476922331141?s=20&t=TS2MsnmLxZFwM9z1aPqg1A[/embed] <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Zach Parish | 5’9” 155lbs | 2025 | Clear Creek<img class="size-medium wp-image-323811 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/IMG_2155-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></strong></span> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">One of the younger guys at the showcase was Clear Creek safety, Zach Parish. During the 11 on 11 period, the freshman started off his day right by opening to the sideline, closing out, and picking the ball off. All afternoon long you could find Parish making plays on the ball. Parish is a ballhawk in every sense. In his mind, any pass thrown his way is eligible to be picked off. Although he wasn’t able to haul them all in, he still displayed his coverage ability against a very talented group of older competition.</span>