Wheeling University Skills Showcase: The DBs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over 60 prospects made their way to Wheeling University for their combined Junior Day/Skills Showcase camp on a very hot Sunday afternoon. There was a plethora of talent in attendance with many of the prospects receiving offers from the host Cardinals after the event. Here were the defensive backs who competed at the Wheeling U Skills Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tony Cox","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Copley (OH)","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"2025 Copley (OH) prospect Tony Cox played primarily running back last season but worked out as a DB at the Wheeling U Skills Showcase and went home with an offer from the host Cardinals. Cox was one of the first names that I starred early on in the event and is an impressive athlete in person. His 5'8 190 size stood out right away along with the way he moved during individual drills and he tested well during that portion of the event too. Cox is faster than his 4.82 40 showed but his 4.39 pro shuttle and 3-yard broad jump told a more accurate story for his athletic capabilities. From watching his film, Cox is faster in pads, and his playing speed opens your eyes more than his straight-line speed in the 40. Cox looks like a natural at running back but the versatility and potential as a DB unquestionably made Wheeling U intrigued and it was no surprise why they offered him after the camp.rnrnWhichever position colleges like Cox at the most, he'll succeed at given the athletic base he has as a prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664e284c6810b"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TC5_FB/status/1792315994066604497","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TC5_FB/status/1792315994066604497 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091284"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Considered a Top 40 DB in Pennsylvania by our PA site, 2025 Sto-Rox defensive back Khayyam Smith was another early impresser at the Wheeling U Skills Showcase. Smith has a slighter build at 5'9 140 but makes up for it with raw athletic ability. He had the third-best 40 time of the day with a 4.65 along with a 3-yard broad jump which speaks to his explosiveness as an athlete. Smith is a rangy corner who can cover ground quickly and has very good closing and recovery speed to the ball. Smith can stick to his receiver in man coverage when he puts himself in a good position and can run the route for the receiver and beat them to the spot.rnrnAn increase in size would greatly benefit him in run defense, but Smith showed he's a willing tackler at times on his film and will be more confident in that area after he puts on more mass.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Donovan Salero-McCoy","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"155","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Warren G. Harding","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"2025 Warren G. Harding DB Donovan Salero-McCoy was an impressive athlete at the Wheeling U Skills Showcase and another early standout that flashed. I like his 5'10 length for a corner prospect who has the frame to continue filling it out. Salero-McCoy had a strong 4.7 40 and 3.5-yard broad jump testing numbers proving he has the athleticism to play at the D2 level. He showed in his junior film that he's a quality zone coverage corner who reads the play well and puts himself into a good position to play the ball. His willingness to get physical in defending the run was another trait that showed up on film and attacks ball carriers with quick pursuit. Salero-McCoy also showed quick feet in his backpedal in man coverage and the ability to flip his hips and run stride for stride with his man.rnrnHe's worthy of D2 looks and a prospect that colleges at that level in Ohio should be targeting heading into his senior year.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Malachi Jones","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Miami Trace (OH)","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"A long safety prospect that I liked at Wheeling U's Skills Showcase was 2025 Miami Trace (OH) DB Malachi Jones. He measured in at an impressive 6'1 and nearly 180 pounds and stood out from a physical standpoint among the other defensive backs in attendance. He's a physical player on the football field from watching his junior film who plays faster than his testing numbers at the camp showed. Smith is a quality open-field tackler who has the athleticism to break down in space. He's a hard-hitting strong safety who can create a lot of PBUs when squaring his shoulders or using his length to play the ball in the air. Jones' long stride allows him to cover ground quickly whose length causes trouble for receivers to make a play on the ball over him.rnrnJones is another prospect that Ohio D2 programs should be evaluating and showing interest in after a strong junior season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Evan Morris","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Canon McMillan (PA)","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Another safety prospect at the Wheeling U Skills Showcase was Canon McMillan (PA) DB Evan Morris. Morris isn't quite as long as Jones, but isn't far behind and is a physically built athlete at 5'11 190. Morris ran a quick 40 time at 4.72 seconds and that speed showed up on film in his junior highlight tape. He's a smart and heady player who puts himself into the right position to make a play on the ball and can redirect himself mid-play well. Morris has good pursuit speed which his 40 time suggested and can quickly react to a play in front of him after dropping into coverage. He's a sure tackler in space with the willingness to be a physical safety. Morris has the versatility to be a punt returner as well and is a three-sport athlete with a basketball and track background as well.rnrnHe's an under-the-radar prospect out of PA who D3 and D2 colleges should be monitoring his senior year.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Sylas Aitken","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"175","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"South Fayette (PA)","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"We got to see and write about 2025 South Fayette (PA) DB Sylas Aitken at the Bethany College prospect camp.rnrnClick the link below to view a breakdown of his game!rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/bethany-college-prospect-camp-the-wrs-dbs/u0022 data-google-interstitial=u0022falseu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eLinku003c/strongu003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-664e284c684da"} /-->