2022 Dakotas Stock Up Showcase Standouts (DB)

Jake Evans

December 8, 2022 @ 10:30 AM

Now we will dive into the positional standouts from the Dakotas Showcase at Presentation College in Aberdeen. Aa always, the Defensive Back position in showcases are a little slimmer compared to other positions, but a glass half full guy will say; more reps to show my stuff in! That is exactly what this talented group did this past Sunday, they really performed well in drills and competed well in competitions and showed each of their skills. Here are my standouts at Defensive Back from the Showcase!   [player_tooltip player_id='533139' first='Spencer' last='Easland'], Pierre 2024, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2K00w1">Highlights</a>   Easland brought home the Camp DB MVP on Sunday. I had him marked a lot in the drills portion. He changes directions really well and can get back to full speed in a hurry almost from a dead stop. His footwork was really good in drills, keeping his feet beneath him and moving them quickly in the right direction. When it came to competition, he stood out even more with his skills in playing the ball in the air. He has a good back pedal and knows when to flip his hips and run, but reacts fast enough to change directions and stick into his receiver's hip pocket. He used his long levers to play the ball and not make contact with the receiver.   [player_tooltip player_id='414876' first='Deontrell' last='Smith'], Sioux Falls Washington 2023, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2JQE5V">Highlights</a>   Smith stood out to me right away in drills. His change in direction was nearly flawless, he had good speed going into cuts and stopped and changed his direction extremely quick with no wasted movements. His shuttle time and his broad jump really showed his change in direction and explosion as well. Then competition came around, and he really showed his skills. Smith ran with each and every receiver step for step and contested nearly every pass thrown. His good reaction time on the quick routes gave him time to jump them perfectly and break up the pass. He played the routes perfectly and had perfect technique to pressure the receiver without drawing the flag. He also had a good vertical and could hang in the air to make a play on the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='473978' first='Spencer' last='Skjonsberg'], Pierre 2024, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2K0BVX">Highlights</a>   Skjonsberg had some impressive times in the 40 yard dash and the L-Drill showing his speed and his agility. He really stood out in competitions in pass defense. His height plays a big factor, already making it difficult for the receiver to track the football. His speed to run with his guy took away any chance of the deep ball. He also had good instincts and timing to turn and make a play on the football with out drawing a flag. Skjonsberg kept himself in good position to make plays on his guy, or the ball and staying in good position not to give up a big play.   [player_tooltip player_id='533130' first='Mason' last='Trowbridge'], Hamlin 2025, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16274021/6367ddd1b023a304c803b40a">Highlights</a>   Trowbridge performed well as a young buck. In competitions he was running well with anyone he stepped up against and contested many passes. If a receiver caught a ball, he was right there pressuring him, which led to a lot of pass breakups. He tested well in the Shuttle and the L-Drill, showing his agility. His agility showed in competitions as well, which helped him defend the short passes.   [player_tooltip player_id='242537' first='Tony' last='Ojullo'], Sioux Falls Washington 2025, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16008976/6355b9ffff02270900752f02">Highlights</a>   Ojullo let his play do the talking in competition. His testing didn't make him stand out, but his play in competition more than made up for that. I liked his recovery speed if the receiver ever got behind him. He also made the play on the ball every play. Ojullo had a good back pedal and flipped his hips to turn and run quickly. He was able to get his hand in and disrupt a lot of passes as well.

Now we will dive into the positional standouts from the Dakotas Showcase at Presentation College in Aberdeen. Aa always, the Defensive Back position in showcases are a little slimmer compared to other positions, but a glass half full guy will say; more reps to show my stuff in! That is exactly what this talented group did this past Sunday, they really performed well in drills and competed well in competitions and showed each of their skills. Here are my standouts at Defensive Back from the Showcase!