#Back2Ballin with Iowa 7v7: Defensive Standouts Part 1
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CEDAR FALLS, IA– We move to the defensive side of the ball from Back 2 Ballin with Iowa 7v7 at the UNI Dome. Defensive prospects might be the toughest to evaluate in a 7v7 setting in my honest opinion, however…
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Continue ReadingCEDAR FALLS, IA– We move to the defensive side of the ball from Back 2 Ballin with Iowa 7v7 at the UNI Dome. Defensive prospects might be the toughest to evaluate in a 7v7 setting in my honest opinion, however when they stand out, they stand out! Take a look at which seven popped out in Part 1 of our defensive standouts from last weekend!
Brayden Peck Brayden Peck 5'10" | 155 lbs | ATH Cedar Rapids Kennedy | 2026 State IA , DB/ATH, Iowa Insanity/Cedar Rapids Kennedy (IA) (2026) Twitter
Brayden is 2026 prospect that has seen his stock rise on our board this Spring by solid showing at the Seneca Wallace Camp and Combine and now at Back 2 Ballin at the UNI Dome. He showed off a well-balanced yet feisty ball-tracking ability. He also took his game up a notch showing off much longer stretch with his wingspan when jumping up for the football. He also showed a quick trigger with some bolting instincts with his read-steps with enhanced and developing on-ball vision. Excited to see what Brayden can put together as we look ahead to 2023.
Max Matter, DB/ATH, TopLine/Brookfield East (WI) (2026) Tape
Max was a first look defensive back prospect that not only passed the eye test for me before he got on the field, but played with an edgy demeanor in coverage. He was a prospect that also you can tell has a glowing football IQ as wherever Max was on the field, he found a way to be a key contributor to the TopLine defense. His tape also shows promise on the offensive side of the ball, as he has great durability at the running back position with his effectiveness level running thru contact. He shows off as a swiss-army knife on all three levels of the field, and one that should continue to develop over the next several years in filling out his frame. One I will be tracking in the 414 area code.
Jacob Adem, DB, Minnesota Elite Seven/Robbinsdale Armstrong (MN) (2024) Twitter
Jacob might have not been the biggest defensive back I evaluated this weekend, but he certainly made for the size with his physicality. He showed some high levels of aggression with his ball-tracking ability especially when I got to watch the Saturday afternoon session. He also showed a high coverage area with his range, and showed off a quick twitch to get to the ball on a dime. I will be excited to see what this young man has in store come the 2023 season for Robbinsdale Armstrong as a DB prospect just scratching the surface with his upside on tape
Adrian Thomas Adrian Thomas 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Nicolet | 2024 State WI , DB, The Show/Glendale Nicollet (WI) (2024) Twitter
The Northern Illinois commit showed off easily why he’s an FBS prospect, as his presence in all shapes of the secondary was well-seen especially when I got to watch him in Saturday night’s action. His length at 6’3 didn’t just show off size, as his mobility for his size and his high-level tracking ability was stuck like glue from the reps I got to watch on Saturday as his long length in his footwork showed off every ounce of his framework for The Show. His tape mostly shows offensive reps, but just knowing the versatility this young man brings to the table has to excite the NIU fans inside and outside of DeKalb, Illinois for the next 4-5 years.
Connor Kamerman, LB, Midwest Miners/Sioux Center (IA) 2024) Twitter
From what these eyes could see all weekend, there was not a more locked-in linebacker when it came down to the vision he had than Midwest Miners linebacker Connor Kamerman. Connor showed a high level of coaching instincts with his reads of the play incoming, as he showed off how fluid he was with his footwork over the middle of the football field as didn’t give up an ounce to any wide receiver or running back that crossed within his path. Connor also shows off a big-time attacking motor which I saw this winter at the Midwest Miners tryout and that motor came out consistently this weekend as well. I also like Connor’s wide range he can cover, as a linebacker you can expect will travel well upfield to run-down a ball carrier. His next-level fit at linebacker should impress some college programs when they get him on campus this summer for prospect camps across the Midwest.
Justin Kabera, DB, Sioux Falls Sharks/Harrisburg (SD) (2025) Twitter
Justin was a new name that showed some solid upside in his game last weekend, and to not much surprise, he comes out of SD powerhouse Harrisburg HS. I liked watching Justin’s instincts he showed off in coverage, as although just an incoming junior, he showed off twitchy mobility especially when he was on an island of 1v1 coverage against some bigger wide receivers where he was able to show off a great presence when the ball came his way. Justin was certainly a defensive back prospect that doesn’t have tape yet, but will certainly be an add to my 2025 rankings in South Dakota, as this young man hasn’t scratched the surface yet with his tape. He’s one I would love to see at our upcoming PRZ Dakotas Showcase in Aberdeen.
Tristan Smith Tristan Smith 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Wauwatosa West | 2024 State WI , DB, PVE/Wauwatoasa West (WI) (2024) Twitter
The game I watched out of PVE defensive back Tristan Smith Tristan Smith 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB Wauwatosa West | 2024 State WI showed off high levels of consistency within his ball-tracking ability, which I loved watching full circle this weekend at Back 2 Ballin. I also like the feel Tristan had no matter where he was on the football field, as you can read into quickly the versatility this young man has no matter what position he lines up in. Tristan also has extremely long arms in built into his legit 6’3 195 pound frame as although his tape shows off as a outside linebacker, I could see him making the full transition to safety at the next-level. He has good speed within the field, but the football speed and IQ Tristan has on tape runs thru wherever he ends up in my eyes when it comes to his testing numbers in a camp setting. Certainly a 2024 prospect I expect to gain some traction this summer especially as a great fit in the Northern Sun.