CFI Winter Showcase: Defensive Back MVPs

The Charlotte Football Insiders (CFI) Winter Showcase provides an opportunity for athletes to compete in front of multiple colleges and universities with the chance to earn an offer to play football on the next level. This Winter Showcase featured over 250 athletes in front of over 40 colleges and universities. Many players stood out to the coaches running the showcase - this article will feature the MVP's for the Defensive Backs.   Curtis Pears - Butler - This 2024 prospect comes in at 5'8 and 175 pounds. His film shows him as a very aggressive hybrid SS/LB type of player, but he also holds up very well in man coverage, which he put on display at the showcase. At the next level he will probably have to transition as a slot DB, but his physicality will give him plenty of chances to succeed. He can help a team for sure.   Narada Nesbit - Garinger - A 2024 prospect at 6'0 and 180 pounds, he was known as a very good athlete coming in to the showcase, but he primarily played quarterback for the Wildcats. He did an excellent job in taking what he was taught during individual drills and putting it into action during 1 on 1 competition. With more focus, he can become a very good defensive back in his senior season.   Savalas Ray - Berry - This 2023 prospect was a Queen City Senior Bowl selection and a Team MVP for all the plays he made all over the field. At 6'0 170 he can play a little bit of the hybrid safety/lb player that has become so valuable in today's game. He's a great tackler in space and showed some good coverage ability as well. His motor does not stop on the field. He received an offer from Louisburg at the conclusion of the showcase.   [player_tooltip player_id='942286' first='DeQuinder' last='Williams'] II - West Mecklenburg - This 2024 prospect comes in at 5'11 and 170 pounds, and he held his own against the top Wide Receivers in attendance all day long at the showcase. He has very good speed, excellent agility and footwork, and can also make plays on the offensive side of the ball. He will be a player to watch for sure going into his senior year.   Brayden Isaiah - Mallard Creek - A 2024 prospect coming in at 6'1 and 170 pounds, he played fearless, and on his home turf he had a good showing. I liked his technique, good stance and showed a good ability to run with receivers in man coverage. On film he is not scared to come up and tackle in space or play press and be physical from the snap. I'm excited to see what he does with more field time in his senior year.   AJ Adams - Crest - A 2024 prospect standing at 5'9 and 160 pounds, AJ showed very good quickness and change of direction ability consistently throughout the showcase. And that makes sense because he is a very good basketball player also! Despite his height, he showed good fight in playing jump balls vs. receivers in the Red Zone 1 on 1 portion of the camp. Tough player that should have a strong senior year building off of this performance.   Sivan Smith - Westover - This 2023 prospect comes in at 5'10 and 185 pounds. He played a good bit of safety on film, but he showed good coverage skills and nice agility throughout the entirety of the showcase. He had 2 pick 6s in a game which flashed some good speed and hands as well. He also is physical on film, looking for big contact consistently.   Canden Mcgill - Shelby - A 2024 All-Conference player, Mcgill stands at 5'11 and 170 pounds. He has elite skills in defending jump ball 1 on 1 situations - he consistently either got interceptions or pass breakups on film in those situations. On film he also displays a very good ability to play off of blocks in run support and make strong open field tackles. At the showcase I liked his technique, confidence, and he showed long speed on deep routes also.   Tyler Perkins - Berry - Coming in at 6'0 and 175 pounds, this 2023 prospect chose to participate at Defensive Back, and I feel like he did a good job overall. The majority of his film shows him on offense, so it was smart of him to show college coaches he is a true ATH. He showed very good physical traits throughout the agility circuit and individual drills. It will be interesting to see where his future lands on offense or defense.   Niko Sonye - Leesville Road - An All-Conference player standing at 6'0 and 170 pounds, Niko showed well in the 1 on 1 portion of the showcase, recording a couple of interceptions and pass breakups on good coverage plays, high pointing the ball well in jump ball situations. Currently holds an offer from Culver-Stockton College.   Zander Rabon - Cannon School - A 2023 prospect at 6'0 and 170 pounds, Zander was able to pick up an offer from Brevard College who was in attendance at the showcase and offered him a couple of days later. Very good technique, good speed, and technically sound at the DB position were the things that stood out for me. Comes from a very good program, and I think he can help a program at the next level sooner than later.

The Charlotte Football Insiders (CFI) Winter Showcase provides an opportunity for athletes to compete in front of multiple colleges and universities with the chance to earn an offer to play football on the next level. This Winter Showcase featured over 250 athletes in front of over 40 colleges and universities. Many players stood out to the coaches running the showcase - this article will feature the MVP's for the Defensive Backs.