Virginia StockUp Showcase, Top Performing Defensive Backs Pt1

<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297917"],"_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-678bd9fa01d2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The easy choice for DB MVP in my eyes. This among a group of DBs that outperformed wideouts by a good margin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5'11, 165 pounds. 3.1 GPA. A Lake Taylor junior DB who can dabble with the wideout position too. Far and away the choice for top DB after watching him work during 1v1s, this in consultation with coaches present, pretty much the unanimous choice. Sticky, out-breaking routes ran on Clark underneath 15 yards were eaten up. Great use of inside leverage, has no problem countering stemming with some hand-fighting of his own, this at the LOS or off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark made sure his presence was felt with each rep, a confident football player who should see his stock rise post-ranking update. Adapted well on the fly, balanced through all phases of a route. Carries wideouts to the boundary, practically draped over wideouts who couldn't separate at the top of routes. Peeks through the WR to the QB often, a ton of PBUs come because of his ability to see the football. Limits separation, squeezes targets against pre-snap leverage. The young man showed up and showed out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lake Taylor HS (Norfolk, VA) 2026 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1297917' first='Magerald' last='Clark'] (<a href="https://twitter.com/MageezyC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MageezyC</a>) <br><br>Stood out most in a group on unreal DBs present yesterday. Took home DB MVP honors. 5'11, 165 pounds. 3.1 GPA. Unoffered currently. <br><br>Had coaches in attendance buzzing. <a href="https://t.co/e1THUF0aT5">pic.twitter.com/e1THUF0aT5</a></p>&mdash; VicCastilloPRZ (@PRZPAvic) <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1878921624579350835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297856"],"_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-678bd9fa01d8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arguably the best prospect in attendance. Had some DB MVP moments in this one. His overall camp performance was a bit derailed due to a nasty spill he took covering a pass downfield. Ballard would return toward the end of the camp. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A junior out of Manchester HS. 6'1, 178 pounds. 3.5 GPA. Holds offers from Dartmouth and Charlotte. Speaking away from the camp performance for a bit, this kid is seeing his stock soar, especially if you line it up beside where I ranked him in August. 120-180 range suggests FCS talent, yet Ballard has a clear FBS ceiling, one that he might crack through this offseason. Ballard's testing numbers were phenomenal, I'll do my part to ensure the right people get their eyes on them. We might be looking at a future Top 100 prospect among VA 2026 prospects. I wouldn't;t be surprised to see Ballard earn attention/offers from the likes of ACC/Big12 schools recruiting Virginia. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back to his camp performance. Again, Ballard's eval time was cut short due to injury, yet the young man still flashed greatness during 1v1s, Indis, and especially during our combine. I will break down his testing performance in a later piece. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Manchester HS (Midlothian, VA) 2026 DB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='1297856' first='Jayden' last='Ballard'] <a href="https://twitter.com/JaydenBallard_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JaydenBallard_</a><br><br>Was the front runner for DB MVP for majority of camp pre-injury. Arguably the best overall ATH in attendance. <br><br>Named Top 5 DB. Holds offers out of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dartmouth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dartmouth</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Charlotte?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Charlotte</a>. Kid has a Power Four ceiling. <a href="https://t.co/vpxJ2CQ0vg">pic.twitter.com/vpxJ2CQ0vg</a></p>&mdash; VicCastilloPRZ (@PRZPAvic) <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1878923506483966428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["853895"],"_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-678bd9fa01dd9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arguably the most technically sound defensive back present. The second-highest ranking DB too, easily one of the best junior safety prospects in all of Virginia, he's ranked #31 because of the Corner/Nickel/Safety grouping. Despite all of this, Cowart is likely to see a jump in rank regardless. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cowart trusts both his athletic ability and his technique. Cowart pays a good deal of attention to detail while on the field. The kid is observant of leverage pre-snap, he's observant of nuances displayed by wideouts. Cowart understands what to expect based on who he's aligned against and where he's at on the field. Long story short, if I didn't drive this point home yet, Cowart is everything you want in a backend safety prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5'11, 180 pounds. A 3.9 GPA at Liberty Christian Academy. Ranked just a hair shy outside of a Division One grade, yet scheduled to rise on our ranks like previously mentioned. On of the few DBs present who actually incorporated a backpedal into his reps. Dispalyed fantastic route recognition. With pads and on the field, this is a kid I want working in my secondary ten out of ten times. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, VA) 2026 DB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='853895' first='Jayden' last='Cowart'] (<a href="https://twitter.com/cowart_jayden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cowart_jayden</a>) pictured below. <br><br>Named a Top Five DB post-camp by myself. Arguably the most seasoned, consistent, and technically sound DB present. <br><br>5'11, 180, 3.9 GPA <a href="https://t.co/n1eQjsgtdP">pic.twitter.com/n1eQjsgtdP</a></p>&mdash; VicCastilloPRZ (@PRZPAvic) <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1878931984858394896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /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":"Aamir Williams ","_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":"5'11u0022","_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":"La Plata","_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-678bd9fa01e98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A Maryland prospect who received a few MVP votes post-camp. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5'11, 150 pounds. 3.1 GPA. Has some safety/wideout to his game but is a corner at heart from what I can tell. A lot of what I said in Clark's eval can be said here for Williams. Aggressive, confident, and physical, these are the three best words to describe Williams' performance last weekend in Harrisonburg. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is currently unranked on the Maryland site. Although I have no say/pull on what goes on in Maryland, I will do my best to reach out to make sure a profile is created for him in the near future. Restricted space post-release, even if he didn't win early in reps, Williams did a fantastic job staying in-phase throughout all three areas of the field. Change directions well, witnessed him flip his hips and attack balls in the air with instincts. Good performance but this young man is an even better player with pads on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I covered DBs at yesterday's <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneVA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneVA</a> StockUp Showcase. <br><br>Loved what I saw out of <a href="https://twitter.com/Aamirflash2008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Aamirflash2008</a>. I named him a Top Five DB easily. Excited to show off some reps we recorded showcasing his talents. <a href="https://twitter.com/carljfred?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@carljfred</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GoLions1934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GoLions1934</a> <a href="https://t.co/BEXX2PI6LY">pic.twitter.com/BEXX2PI6LY</a></p>&mdash; VicCastilloPRZ (@PRZPAvic) <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1878928347973214669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1601610"],"_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-678bd9fa01ee5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">5'9, 3.0 GPA. A senior out of Forest Park, one worthy of D3 offers at the very least. McManus sprained his knee toward the end of camp, his last rep in fact. I was able to talk to him for a few while trainers looked at him. I came away more impressed by his toughness and willingness to get back on the field despite being in serious pain. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Love McManus's toughness shown throughout camp. Kid played with a chip on his shoulder, he was working with something to prove. A fantastic jammer in press alignment. McManus tossed around a few wideouts who weren't prepared to counter a close-quarters jam, all of this even though McManus himself isn't overtly big. Good pre-snap stance, balanced base, feet shoulder-width apart. Wasn't late off the snap when attempting to shoot his hands. McManus didn't blindly shoot his hands either, I can tell he is coached up well, witnessing McManus mirror his lead foot with his hands. Flexible hips and quick foot speed had McManus in position to recover with each rep. McManus might've not come away with several interceptions, yet he was well in position for many thanks to solid technique. Here's to hoping he finds an opportunity at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Forest Park HS (Woodbridge, VA) Barry McManus Jr. <a href="https://twitter.com/Mcmanusbarry07?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mcmanusbarry07</a> <br><br>Named a Top Performing DB post camp. Great kid to talk to briefly and he put up an even better performance. <br><br>An unoffered VA 2025 DB coaches should look into. <a href="https://t.co/hxlus7ywdd">pic.twitter.com/hxlus7ywdd</a></p>&mdash; VicCastilloPRZ (@PRZPAvic) <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZPAvic/status/1878929850192494638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->