Northern State Prospect Camp: Standouts, Session II
Pierce Johnson NE #404 WR #43 HEIGHT 5'11" WEIGHT 170 POS WR CLASS 2023 View Profile Pierce Johnson Twitter State: Nebraska School: Creighton Prep When it came down to his burst and agility, Pierce indeed passed our eye test for…
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Continue ReadingWhen it came down to his burst and agility, Pierce indeed passed our eye test for the next level in the early going of the Northern State prospect camp. The fluidity he showed off in those two departments remained consistent for the duration of the camp, which you love to see when getting an in-person evaluation. Pierce showed dynamic footwork and physicality when I watched him dominate in press-man in 1v1s. His tape at wide receiver shows persistent versatility with his hands on being able to catch balls in high traffic areas and growth in being able to recreate his routes across they have run their course. Pierce to me comes off as a prospect that has another gear to his ignition on Friday nights, as his speed and stiding ability seem more progressive when you watch his junior tape. He also rocks the boat on special teams in the return game, as he shows off sound patience and vision, and solid velocity coming out of his stance. Pierce has a couple NAIA offers on his recruiting trail, and I expect more opportunities to come his way this fall for sure.
Highlights
It surprises the heck out of me that Beau doesn’t have an offer yet. However, Beau painted a solid picture of his skillsets at the Northern State prospect camp in my eyes. Beau has very reactive instincts coming out of his brakes and can fly to the football with an ingrained nature of natural ability. He has sealed vision when you watch his junior tape and utilizes his read steps at a high level to go make a play. Beau racked up 94 tackles as a junior, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him hit triple digits going into his senior season. I also like Beau’s pad level on his contract when he climbs up a level of the field to help out his linebackers. Beau has that nature as a sideline-to-sideline safety that certainly is a prospect I would love to see playing on Saturdays, as I think his senior season will be a big creator for him on the recruiting trial. He is probably one of the most under-the-radar defensive backs in the Dakotas, although, in my eyes, he shouldn’t be as much as he is.
Highlights
Brock was one of the youngest prospects at the Northern State prospect camp but is no stranger to me, being the resume he has put together at our Prep Redzone Minnesota showcases over the last year. Brock showed off that he has improved his burst since I last evaluated him, running a faster 40-yard dash than when I watched him in December, which shows me this young man has been working his tail off this offseason to get better. When it came down to 1v1s, Brock showed the reactive speed I loved seeing in Minnetonka last winter, where he was able to catch up to a 50/50 ball that would be out of reach for a bulk of young wide receivers at his age level. He shows the ability to be versatile in his route-running on tape, and can be an asset no matter where you line him up in the Farmington Tigers offense, and shows competitive hands on all fronts. Brock also does well getting involved in the return game, as he has a favorable vision for his age and the strength in the lower body to power thru contact and gets you a few extra yards after contact. There certainly is development coming from Brock with utilizing his finishing speed well in the open field, but I like what I see so far out of this incoming sophomore to be out of Farmington.
Highlights
Jackson was a prospect I watched that continued to improve his skillsets this summer on the prospect camp circuit. He looked like he has created more flexibility and bend in his lower body when turning his hips from side to side from when I last saw him at the Augie Prospect Camp in June. As a pass-catching running back, Jackson shows the upside with his vertical I watched at Northern on the field, with his ability to high top several 50/50 balls and use his athleticism to his full advantage. He does this consistently on tape, it doesn’t matter where he is on the field. He also shows a better reach for the ball than you would expect with his frame. Local NAIA schools have caught the eyes of this young man, and I would expect more NAIA schools to get involved come fall, as I could see Jackson being a capable slot wide receiver at the next level as he continues to grow on his change of direction.
I got to watch RJ at our Prep Redzone Dakotas Showcase last winter, and I was impressed with his improved flexibility he showed off at the Northern State Camp with his 6’1, 265-pound frame. What else did I like about watching RJ in Aberdeen? This young man plays with a determined demeanor, and it was easy to read that he is a motivator for his teammates and a prospect with Grade A character as well. RJ’s tape shows off that motivator skillset, as he shows active feet when maneuvering on the defensive line to slow down the running game. He also has a plethora of athletic swim moves in his arsenal that are utilized with good technique and sound balance when attacking the ball carrier. I also love watching his hand placement on the offensive side of the ball. Also an outstanding track and field athlete in shotput and discus. He has a few college football opportunities already on his recruiting trail and I think there is more coming for RJ this fall.
Highlights
Headshots from the Northern State Prospect Camp:
RJ Perry RJ Perry 6'1" | 260 lbs | DL Great Plains Lutheran | 2023 State , DL/OL, Great Plains Lutheran (SD) (2023)
Pierce Johnson Pierce Johnson 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Creighton Prep | 2023 State NE , DB/WR, Creighton Prep (NE) (2023)