Prep Redzone WI Combine: Best of the DBs
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The defensive backs came to play at the PRZ WI Combine last week. The tested well, putting numbers to their explosive agility and long speed. They also matched up well with the WR and TE groups in 1 on 1…
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Continue ReadingThe defensive backs came to play at the PRZ WI Combine last week. The tested well, putting numbers to their explosive agility and long speed. They also matched up well with the WR and TE groups in 1 on 1 battles. We even saw a prospect or two standout while playing both sides of the ball in 1 on 1s. The student athletes in today’s article are names to know in this recruiting cycle and ones to come. To see the best of the bunch, go to our MVP article and see how Izayah Angeles Izayah Angeles 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Oak Creek | 2026 WI brought home the honor. Let’s dive into the rest of the group now!
The best combine performance among the DBs was Jensen Rice Jensen Rice 5’10” Iola Scandinavia | 2026 WI . The sophomore out of Iola- Scandinavia put up elite 4.47 and 4.42 in the 40 yard dash. He broad jumped 9’11” and 9’5″. He also ran a great 4.34 shuttle, and 7.56 L Drill. The 5’10” 165 lbs sophomore brings elite athleticism to the field.
On the field, Rice caught my eyes on several 1 on 1 reps vs WRs. He could easily flip his hips and run deep with WRs. On more intense route breaks Jensen was able to either stay right with his man or quickly recover with his acceleration and closing speed if separation was opened up. Rice was also aggressive at the catch with well timed and placed hands to break up the pass. The underclassman did a great job of putting himself on the radar from the start of the session. Coaches, make sure to be well aware of this kid over the coming years.
Michael is one of those athletes that had a great day on both sides of the ball in 1 on 1s. He is a physical athlete that can fight off jams, or deliver his own jams at the line. The sophomore also did a good job of getting receivers off their initial route paths which threw off timing. Michael repeatedly did a great job of playing the ball in the air. He quickly adjusted, attacked the ball in the air, and showed strong hands to make catches and punch out the ball.
The 5’10” 175 lbs sophomore also did well during the combine port of the day. He ran 4.69 in the 40, broad jumped 9′ and 9’3″. Farr’s 7.25 L Drill showed how agile he could be while playing at top speed. Get ready for a breakout year on varsity from the soon to be junior.
A junior standout among the DBs was the 5’11” 147 lbs Jeremiah Leininger Jeremiah Leininger 5’11” Hartford Union | 2025 WI from Hartford Union. He crushed the combine with a 4.75 40, 4.72 shuttle, 10′ broad jump, and 7.81 L Drill. Jeremiah did a solid job of using his long arms to get hands on when he played up at the line, and his closing burst showed off the lower body quickness. Jeremiah doesn’t have a ton of film, but he is an athletic kid with a good frame to build on and fill out. He is an under the radar prospect to have your eyes on this all if you coach at the D3 level.
Van was a reliable piece as a sophomore on varsity during the 2023 season. Based off what we saw last week it looks like Vogler could be a good pick for a 2024 breakout athlete. The soon to be junior measured in at 6′ 147 lbs, ran 4.88, broad jumped 8’7″, hit 4.39 on the shuttle, and 7.70 in the L Drill. I am impressed by the confidence Van plays with. I had gone back to watch the sophomore tape where he got right up and pressed receivers and flashed the change of direction to be able to stay in his man’s pocket. Those same strengths showed up at camp. Someone who will get their hands on, and can flip their hips and run. I’m excited for his junior tape to starting coming out this fall.
Highlights
Jackson is a safety prospect that came into the combine and proved to be a valuable prospect that college programs will want to consider. The 5’11” 165 lbs junior ran 4.78 in the 40, 4.41 in the shuttle, broad jumped 9’4″, and hit 7.77 in the L Drill. What was most important to see was what Jackson did during 1 on 1s. He demonstrated the ability to play one on one against a WR. The most talented safeties are the ones that can play against the run, cover a deep zone, and drop down over a receiver. There are examples of all that in his tape, and he gave us several more examples of his coverage at the combine. Jackson could play off, and then close quickly on routes that broke in front of him and he was able to accelerate and run with receivers that attacked the field behind his initial alignment. Homestead’s defense had a few standouts at the combine with Jackson being one of them.
Highlights
One of my favorite new athletes on my radar is Racine Case’s Zion Griffin Zion Griffin 5’9″ | 165 lbs | DB J.I Case | 2025 WI at CB. He was piling up reps in 1 on 1s and was a menace to WRs. The junior was aggressive at the line, showing off solid strength to jam. He also was physical throughout the route and especially at the catch point. Zion may have been the best at breaking up passes on the day with his quickness to close, and hands. Zion also proved to be an explosive athlete when it came to having to make the sharp breaks with WRs.
The disruptive CB also had a great day in the combine with a 4.61 40, 4.28 shuttle, 9’3″ broad jump, and 7.70 L Drill. Look for Zion to be a key cog in the Racine Case defensive backfield this fall. He has the tools and the mentality to play and win out wide.
Highlights
We stay in the same team and family for our next standout. 5’8″ 165 lbs junior Ziarre Griffin Ziarre Griffin 5’9″ | 165 lbs | DB J.I Case | 2025 WI shined in the battles with WRs as well. His opponents had a rough time trying to create any sort of separation against him. The corner wasn’t afraid to get right in their face at the line, get hands on and pump throughout the route. Ziarre put his reactive athleticism on full display as he was able to quickly react to route breaks and show off the closing speed if a WR did get a little opening between the two. He made the WRs earn their catches.
The numbers were great for the junior as well. He ran. 4.63 in the 40, 4.59 in the shuttle, 9’6″ in the broad jump, and 7.56 in the L Drill. Racine Case has dudes at all three levels of their defense. That includes Ziarre. Get down there and check them out.
Highlights
Jayden was an athlete who made the trip up from Illinois, and made it well worth it. The 5’11” 171 lbs junior crushed the combine portion of the day. He ran back to back 4.72 in the 40. He also hit 4.72 in the shuttle, plus he broad jumped 9’5″. The junior demonstrated a skill set that best translates to the safety position. Between his straight line speed to cover ground and his strong lower body to close quickly or run through ball carriers. Jayden would also offer the ability to drop down and cover WRs. We saw him flying around the field, reading and reacting to routes, closing quickly, and breaking up passes. Keep an eye on Jayden as a potential breakout player for Warren Township.
Highlights
Trent looks like a safety prospect for the next level. He has an excellent frame at 6’3″ 182 lbs that ran 4.81 in the 40. he also put up a 4.69 shuttle time, 8’6″ broad jump, and 7.88 L Drill. Trent is at his best playing off or in a deep zone where he can read the QB and route development and then get in position to make a play on the ball. We got to see Trent in off coverage at the combine where he could show off the closing speed, his use of his length to disrupt the catch, and his ability to quickly read and react to routes breaking in front of him. The junior is an under the radar prospect to watch this season when he takes the field as a senior.