Best I Saw at the Minnesconsin Camp: DBs
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Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription! We wrap up our vast coverage of the Minnesconsin Mega Camp with a look at the defensive backs that stood out with their performances on the field. It was a great…
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We wrap up our vast coverage of the Minnesconsin Mega Camp with a look at the defensive backs that stood out with their performances on the field. It was a great opportunity for hundreds of athletes and many did. We end with 12 more athletes that deserve the spotlight. As the name suggests, Minnesota and Wisconsin were well represented. Let’s get it started!
One of the most explosive athletes among the DBs was the Bethlehem Academy DB. Oliver measured in at 5’7” 162 lbs, and tore up the combine with a 9’1″ broad jump, 35.2″ vertical, 4.52 40 yard dash, and 6.97 L-Drill. As a junior, Oliver used that top of the line athleticism to make an impact on offense, defense, and special teams. His vision, elusiveness, and speed make him dangerous with the ball in his hands. On defense, Linnemann is a surprisingly effective tackler. He closes very quickly and knows to go low and wrap up to bring down the bigger athletes. Oliver also shows off very quick feet in his backpedal and can transition from backpedal to running with receivers in an instant. You can see the confidence he plays with out wide. He trusts his talent and what he reads. Don’t miss out on the athletic three way impact.
Highlights
Joshua Marcinkevich
Joshua Marcinkevich
Joshua lit up the combine at the Minnesconsin Mega Camp. The 5’10” 169 lbs DB ran a blazing 4.48 40 yard dash, broad jumped 10’1″, vertical jumped and insane 39.5″, and hit 7.03 in the L-Drill. On tape that athleticism is verified. Joshua is all over the field. He is able to read and roam the field with that college level speed. It is impressive to watch him transition from his backpedal to accelerating downhill when he sees the ball in front of him, whether on the ground or screen game. Josh doesn’t hesitate either, and that makes his speed even more effective. Teams can trust Josh in man coverage as well. He has the body control, quick feet, loose hips, and reactive athleticism to be able to run with receivers through the route. This kid is a breakout candidate this fall.
One of the top DBs in Minnesota proved his talents in River Falls. He checked in at 6′ 180 lbs, ran a 4.70 40, hit a 9’1″ broad, and 33.8″ vertical jump. On tape, Caden plays with the physicality needed to get on the field at the college level. Physicality that allows him to play on the edge, near the line of scrimmage to go along with his duties on the back half of the defense. You can count on him to crash down the edge and make tackles against the run game. Johnson also has the range and awareness to be able to roam a deep half zone. Caden currently holds offers from Mankato and River Falls. The latter coming after his strong camp performance.
Highlights
One of my favorite under the radar prospects in all of WI is the CB out of Pulaski HS. His camp performance only further verified what there is to love on tape. The 5’9″ 166 lbs ’24 checks off the boxes for the athleticism needed to play CB. 9’11” broad jump, 37.6″ vertical, 4.68 40 yard dash, an excellent 6.85 L-Drill, and a 4.2 pro agility. The kid has all the quick twitch, explosive athleticism needed to lock down receivers. He is also an aggressive tackler in the run game. In coverage, Rylan has a smooth backpedal, quick hip turn, and the acceleration to go stride for stride with receivers. His balance gives him the ability to run the route with the receiver. The cherry on top is that Rodal knows how to go for the ball when it is in the air to cause break ups. Rodal holds one offer from Eau Claire. No more sleeping on him. Someone is going to get an impressive ball player.
Nobody put together the combine that Elliott did. The 5’9″ 177 lbs athlete put up the best vertical at 40.2″, the third best 40 at 4.40, and added a 9’10” broad jump, 7.06 L-Drill, and 4.41 pro agility. Numbers that make me confident in saying he has the talent to play DB at the next level. His coaches at the HS level clearly agree based on the tape. They play him as a single high safety, let him read the QB/field and run. Elliott has all the range needed to shine at safety. He also has the ball skills to create turnovers when he gets to the catch point. Give the kid a look.
Highlights
Rory is a physical, hard hitting, productive safety/LB prospect. The 5’10” 170 lbs prospect piled up 100 tackles as a junior and a wild 26 TFLs. You don’t see that from many DBs. Wyatt lives in the front seven and has developed a knack for moving around the trenches and off the edge without getting blocked. Rory has the range to chase down plays from the backside, and he is a very sound tackler. Teams looking to add physicality to their DB room need to give this kid a look. Rory also had a solid combine at the Mega Camp. He ran 4.79, broad jumped 9’4″, and vertical jumped 35.2″.
One of the most impressive DBs in attendance at the Mega Camp was the Apple Valley DB. The 6’1″ 181 lbs ’24 brings a lot of tools to the table. Tools that make him a lock down CB at the HS level. He can press at the line and reroute receivers. His hips and feet allow him to turn and run with receivers. William is smooth when changing directions, and his hands and ball tracking downfield allow him to break up passes consistently. Washington also put up impressive numbers at the camp. He ran a 4.50 40, 9’5″ broad jump, 36.7″ vertical jump, and an elite 6.91 L- Drill to show off that great balance and change of direction. Washington is quickly rising up boards this offseason, and should end up being a D1 recruit.
Highlights
One of the most impressive 2024 DB prospects in attendance was from Winnipeg. Njita had one of the most outstanding overall combines. The 5’10” 161 lbs ’24 ran a great 4.57 40, 7.00 L-Drill, 9’3″ broad jump, 35.3″ vertical jump, and 4.37 pro agility. That speed allow Njita to be played as a single high safety where he can read the QB, and close on the catch point. He has the hands to turn those opportunities into turnovers too. This kid is built to roam the back half of defenses at the next level. The versatile athlete brings strong punt return skills to the table as well. He has the speed to turn green grass into big gains, teh elusiveness to get out of tight situations, and the vision to not only see openings but find ways to create openings.
An athlete who is going to be on the rise over the next year is the impressive athlete out of Apple Valley. Kaine is a 6’1″ 151 lbs DB with 4.64 speed, 9’4″ and 33″ jumps to show off his lower body burst, and a solid 7.21 L- Drill to show that his body control and balance are developing. Kaine is already utilizing his length to his advantage. He jams at the line and is able to get his hands between the receiver’s hands and punch balls out. Watching through his tape, Kaine has sufficient hip fluidity but can take his game to another level as that improves. Where he really shines is when he transitions form backpedal to attacking downhill. Kaine is able to burst out of that transition and close in an instant to make plays on the ball. The future is bright with for the 2025 CB.
David Amaliri
David Amaliri
Arguably the most impressive frame in attendance at the Mega Camp was the 6’4″ 184 lbs ’25 from Canada. Not only is the junior massive, he also has exceptional athleticism to go with that huge frame. David ran a 4.70 40, hit a 10’2″ broad jump, 36.4 vertical jump, 4.5 pro agility, and a 7.07 L-Drill. It was clear that David was turning heads every time he took a rep. David is able to run deep, but he looks his best in short areas and changing direction. His lower body strength allows him to really accelerate and burst in those scenarios. With Prep Redzone expanding to Canada in the near future I expect to see this name getting a lot of coverage. Don’t miss out on him.
The top DB in the Class of 2025 here in WI put together another strong showing this offseason. Grant measured in just under 6’2″ and 175 lbs. He crushed many of the combine events with a 4.59 40 yard dash, 9’5″ broad jump, 4.41 pro agility, and a great 6.97 L-Drill. Those numbers verify the college level potential you see on tape. Grant can be utilized in every way that a safety can be used. Put him deep, let him roam a zone and read the QB. Allow him to drop down over a slot and show off the balance, change of direction, and smooth backpedal in man coverage. He can also drop down and be a reliable run stuffer in the box. Grant has also shown to be a dangerous punt returner. With two years of HS ball ahead of him to develop the future is looking very bright for the Neenah prospect.
Highlights
A 2026 who caught my eyes was the Arrowhead CB Jack Tarkowski Jack Tarkowski 6’0″ | 185 lbs | DB Hartland Arrowhead | 2026 State WI . He checked in at 5’10” 168 lbs, ran a solid 4.85 40, and an impressive 7.09 L-Drill. That strong L-Drill time does a good job of representing what you see on tape. Jack excelled in scenarios where he had to change direction as his receiver made a break, or transition from his backpedal to attacking downhill. In those transitions from backpedal to downhill we also see good closing speed on the ball. His ball skills also provide him the ability to turn his opportunities at the ball into turnovers. Jack is also a strong tackler out in space. That is something he will need to continue to stay on the field in the Classic 8 conference. I’m excited to see how Jack grows and develops over the coming years. Definitely a name to have on radars as his time comes around.