2024 MN South Central DB Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We return to the MN South Central division to take a look at some of the best DB prospects to watch for in 2024. A lot of these DBs featured are players that have made a significant impact to their teams on both sides of the ball, but their athleticism would best suit them in the secondary locking down top WRs. Here are 6 of the top DB names to watch in the division this year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["641132"],"_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-66bea3177d675"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='641132' first='Damarius' last='Russell'] has been in the starting lineup for Waseca since his freshman year. Russell has worked up to become one of the top overall players in Minnesota, and the three-star recruit ended up signing with South Dakota State back in June. Russell has been a fantastic player to watch, and his speed is umatched on the field. On the defensive side of the ball, Russell utilizes this speed to give very little separation to his receivers, quickly closing open gaps and showing great ball skills in knocking passes away. Russell also had received D1 offers from North Dakota State, Texas Tech, and Northern Iowa. Russell's primary goal for 2024 is to help Waseca finally pass the sectionals and make a push for the state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["591746"],"_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-66bea3177d71f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='591746' first='Shep' last='Jensen'] is seriously shaping up to be one of the best athletes in Minnesota for the class of 2026. Standing at 5'11 and 185 lbs, Jensen has posted a 4.5 40 yard dash time, 385 lb max squat, and 275 lb bench. Jensen has been versatile in the secondary for Marshall, playing at both CB and Strong Safety. Jensen has been spectacular in terms of awareness and instinct, showing skills in ball-tracking and run-stop. Jensen is fluid with his change of direction, stretches his full body to break-up passes, and he is capable of making acrobatic, one-handed interceptions. Jensen is a name that will skyrocket up the leaderboards by the end of his junior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1120573"],"_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-66bea3177d799"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1120573' first='Preston' last='Holberg'] has been the shining star of the secondary for New Ulm. Holberg does a really good job with tracking the ball and taking smart angles to pursue the ball. Holberg plays with a low pad level and stops ball-carriers dead in their tracks, which has made him very reliable for the run-defense. Holberg shows solid athleticism, with a 4.8 40 yard dash time, a 315 lb max squat, and a 345 lb max deadlift. If Holberg can build a bit more bulk this year, combined with his excellent play, Holberg will be a force to be reckoned with and should earn a lot more attention for his play. </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":"Ryder Crawford","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"150","_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":"Redwood Valley","_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-66bea3177d8bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ryder Crawford is a bit thinner for his size, but he plays as hard as anybody on the field. Crawford has a lengthy wingspan and great reach, which makes it difficult for WRs to make plays against him as he utilizes this reach to break up several passes. Crawford plays with great instincts and a quick burst of speed, playing as a solid run-stopper and is exceptional in pass coverage. Crawford is a raw athlete, and if he can build some muscle in 2024, Crawford's skills as a shutdown CB will see a lot more development and could result in several college offers. </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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1648482' first='Griffin' last='Dahmen'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"150","_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":"Jordan","_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-66bea3177d9c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1648482' first='Griffin' last='Dahmen'] began seeing playing time as a sophomore playing as the Deep Safety for the Hubmen. A lot of his film was getting involved in stopping the run, and from what I've seen, Dahmen has shown to be intelligent in understanding and taking angles to stop the RB, while making smart reads on where the play direction is headed. Dahmen plays low, keeps his hips square, and explodes on the tackle to stop the ball-carrier on the spot. Dahmen is a work in progress, but he is a budding prospect to watch for on Jordan's secondary. Hopefully, we will see more of his capabilities in pass coverage this season. </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":"Carter Wilke","_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":"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":"Le Sueur-Henderson","_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-66bf519255292"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Carter Wilke currently doesn't have any film, the Le Sueur community has been buzzing about this athlete who's been making a name for himself on the secondary. Wilke has posted impressive numbers in the weight room, with a 265 lb max bench, a 360 lb max squat, and a 475 lb max deadlift. Wilke has been listed as a standout in several of Le Sueur's football games last season with several game-changing interceptions. Hopefully, we will see more film of Wilke this year, but the athleticism and big-play ability in pressured situations are intriguing, and Carter Wilke is a name that needs to be watched in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->