Lockdown IL DBs, Welcome to Their Island
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It takes a special talent for a DB to lock down his side of the field and/or his man. They need to have some sort of combination of size, strength, speed, quick twitch agility/reactive athleticism. Not to mention that DB…
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Continue ReadingIt takes a special talent for a DB to lock down his side of the field and/or his man. They need to have some sort of combination of size, strength, speed, quick twitch agility/reactive athleticism. Not to mention that DB confidence and swagger to truly own your area of the field. Today’s article we look at a few DBs in particular who I believe have the traits to strand WRs on their island this fall and during summer camps.
Our first stop on this island hopping tour of lockdown DBs is at Oswego East. That is where 6′ 160 lbs ’25 DB Nigel Grisby Nigel Grisby 5’11” | 155 lbs | DB Oswego East | 2025 IL calls home. Nigel shows quick feet and hips that allow him to get deep with his backpedal and he can trigger out of it to attack downhill or turn and run with his man. Nigel has the quick twitch agility and the read and react talents to attack the quick passing game in front of him and break up passes. No doubt the confidence is there as we see him line up out wide in press coverage. The junior doesn’t hesitate to attack the outside run game either. Grisby is very active at the catch point too. Timing his hands and placing them perfectly to break up double digit passes this past season. Check out the season long cutup below.
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Some might say you can’t say that a safety can put receivers on an island. Those people need to watch Jaden Edwards Jaden Edwards 6’0″ | 165 lbs | DB West Aurora | 2025 IL because he has an island to desert receivers on. It is just bigger than most. Jaden has a special skill set to be able to lock down his half of the field. It is a perfect balance of range, change of direction, and high end football IQ/play recognition. Jaden roams the backend of the defense with confidence, baiting QBs into horrible decisions then turning those decisions into big plays off is own. Jaden is blessed with an excellent burst and acceleration that closes him so quickly on the ball. Edwards has a special blend of athletic and mental gifts that prove to give QBs nightmares trying to avoid. Check the tape.
Highlights
I’m well acquainted with the game of Seth. He just moved down to Illinois from Wisconsin where I was able to take in one of his games in person this past fall. The 6′ 180 lbs CB is as good as I have seen over the years in WI. He oozes confidence in his abilities, and his tape gives him good reason to feel that way. Seth is explosive out of his backpedal when he has to trigger downhill. He has a strong burst when closing on the ball or a tackle. The junior is able to efficiently flip his hips and run deep downfield while staying in his man’s hip pocket. You can put this kid out on a man and be confident he will be glued at the hip to him through the route.
Highlights
Our last island destination is locked down by Jahmare Washington Jahmare Washington 6’2″ | 170 lbs | DB Morgan Park | 2025 State IL . The 6’2″ 170 lbs junior has an elite frame with all the length needed to shine at CB. The acceleration that Jahmare has at his disposal allows him to make amazing plays at the HS level. That acceleration allows him to cover ground and close in an instant on the ball. The strength he plays with jumps off the tape too. We see him throwing receivers around or running over them on the way to blowing up screen plays. The big CB is so smooth in his change of direction as well. His skill set allows him to truly excel in press coverage. He uses the length to jam, can quickly turn and run downfield, and can go stride for stride through a receiver’s breaks. Big things are ahead for Jahmare at CB.