2024 MN Southeast DB Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Staying in the Southeast Division, we are taking a look at the top DB prospects that should be on your watchlist for 2024. Some of these players are already established names in this division, and we have a few players who have been flying under the radar as productive players that should garner a lot of attention this year. Here are 5 of the biggest DB names in the MN Southeast Division right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1256219"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669730224ed05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1256219' first='Caleb' last='Akinbolu'] has quickly earned attention in the Southeast division as a dangerous player on both sides of the ball, and he is going to be a beast for the Rochester Lourdes Eagles moving forward. Akinbolu already has an impressive athletic frame, with a great wingspan and lean muscle. Akinbolu has excellent lateral speed and great strides in his runs. While Akinbolu is heading into 2024 as the primary ball-carrier for the offense, his frame is well-matched as a brilliant shutdown CB, as it would be difficult for receivers to break away from his coverage. I hope that we will see more playing time in that position this season, but either way, Akinbolu is shaping up to be a prized football prospect in Minnesota for the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204094"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669730224ed5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1204094' first='Isaac' last='Larson'] will remain present for Stewartville's secondary following the team's state championship win last year. Larson has solid length in his arms and reach, and he has been excellent in run support. Larson stepped up big time during the last two games of the season, recording 16 total tackles and 2 TFLs in that span to help solidify the school's first ever state title for football. Larson will now be one of the leading figures of an impressive defensive unit that will try to defend their title, and Larson could be due for several college offers very soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["282093"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6698770f5610b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='282093' first='Keegan' last='Knutson'] has earned a name for himself as a prized prospect coming out of Red Wing. Knutson is in every way a baller, and despite his size, his speed and athleticism makes it difficult for QBs to throw deep down the middle without the risk of Knutson getting his hands on the ball. Speaking of which, Knutson has had some highlight-reel snatches during his junior year on both sides of the ball, including a couple of one-handers. Knutson does a good job at reading the QB and anticipating where the ball is going, and Knutson charges quickly from the secondary into the backfield to make the stop. Knutson is an all-around dangerous player for the Wingers' secondary and already has several offers from D2 and D3 teams. We should anticipate even more if he has another strong year in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Aaron Lou","_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":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lake City","_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6699d390b9ea5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing at Half-Back, WR, DB, and part-time kick-returner, Aaron Lou has been a stellar swiss-army knife for the Tigers. Lou recorded 18 tackles, 5 passes defended, and a forced fumble last season. Lou played well in coverage, with balanced hips and maintaining his ground against the receiver step-by-step. Lou boasts excellent speed, and his versatility as a weapon makes him dangerous when the ball is in his possession. That being said, for any QBs throwing his way in 2024, beware, he is fully capable of taking it to the house if he gets his hands on it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Jacob Cornell","_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":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_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":"Dover-Eyota","_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6699d390b9f35"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dover-Eyota has a very solid secondary group right now, but Jacob Cornell has stood out to me for his presence as the deep Safety of the unit. Cornell recorded 37 tackles and 2 INTs last season with the team, both of which came in the season-opener against Rochester Lourdes. Cornell shows good instincts and tracks the ball well. These skills may have been honed thanks to his role as a point guard for the school's basketball team. If he can further refine his coverage capabilities in 2024, Cornell could be due for a huge season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->