CFI Carolinas MEGA Showcase Top Defensive Backs

<p>The Charlotte Football Insiders (CFI) Carolinas MEGA Showcase brought over 270 athletes from all over the Carolinas and put them in front of over 25 colleges in order to be recruited and possibly offered college scholarships. CFI in the last 5 years has had over 100 players gain offers through exposure from their showcases and events. This analysis will focus on the top defensive backs selected by the CFI Coaching Staff as Top Performers from the event. </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">There's not much to say here - Xavier came into Saturday's showcase with zero offers and now has 4 and counting. Xavier's length, speed, and talent were on full display, and I have been wondering when the breakthrough would come through for him, and it finally has. Xavier picked up offers from Elon, Gardner-Webb, Concord, and Ferrum Universities after his impressive showcase performance. The sky will be the limit this upcoming season for Xavier; the key for him will be to remain consistent as a defensive back, and he should definitely see more offers come his way. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/2tallXavier/status/1921313010414502138 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">James competed as a Defensive Back first at the showcase, but he has the ability to play wide receiver as well. I thought James did a good job when he was matched up against like players, as more of a safety, James did well when he was covering tight ends and bigger receivers. James has a strong ability to contest 50/50 balls in the air, and his vertical ability was consistently on display. James has picked up multiple offers in recent weeks, including Fayetteville State, NC A&T, and Concord University, which he picked up after a strong showcase performance. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">I have been high on Elijah since seeing him in action as a sophomore, and he had a really good day as a hybrid safety/cornerback prospect. I thought Elijah showed good patience in coverage and did not do a lot of holding/grabbing, which is more than I can say for most of the defensive backs I saw in attendance competing in one-on-ones. Elijah played with good technique and showed some nice ball skills when breaking on the football. Elijah picked up an offer from Concord University after the showcase. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Elijahsellars2/status/1922795478439092618 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Marcus has been another player I have been high on since seeing him live last season. Marcus does a very good job in man coverage, and Saturday was no exception. I thought the individual period, along with the agility circuit, is where Marcus really did well, though. Marcus is a very fluid athlete who is fundamentally sound through and through. Marcus earned an offer from Concord University after the showcase, his first offer he has ever received. I was very happy for him!</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/1MarcusMyers/status/1921577255676895692 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Austin was a Top Performer at last year's CFI Spring Showcase, and he continues to show consistency and growth in his game. Austin has a big chance to step into an increased role this upcoming season for the Panthers, as two senior defensive backs graduated last year. With his size, Austin most likely projects as a slot defensive back on the next level, but Austin showed good footwork and nice long speed on deep passes throughout the showcase. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">I thought Bobby had a good day overall at the showcase. Consistency was the key for Bobby - he showed fluid movement throughout individual drills, a good ability to come out of his break in coverage, and he showed good speed hanging with wide receivers on deep passes down the field. I was also impressed with Bobby's ability to play the ball in the air, with a good vertical jump skill to contest balls at the catch point. Bobby had an offer from Gardner-Webb coming into the showcase, and has had recruiting attention from several schools. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Gaven was definitely one of the best defensive backs in attendance. I was shocked learning he only had one offer coming into the showcase, from JUCO Minnesota North. I had to put him very high in the state rankings after seeing him live. Gaven is a hybrid safety/linebacker prospect in my opinion, but he can cover down against slot receivers very well with good technique and speed. I like his athleticism, and he showed on film that he can run support with 63 total tackles on the season. He's a diamond in the rough who was offered by Fairmont State after his strong showcase performance. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">One of many Jordan Falcons in attendance, Lareun had a good day overall. Fundamentals and athleticism are the main standouts for this young man, in my opinion. Lareun took coaching well during the 1 on 1 segments of the showcase and didn't make the same mistake twice. That's what you want to see from players who are athletically gifted. Lareun has some college interest currently, and I expect that to continue as we go through camp season. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Tyrell wasn't on my radar coming into this showcase, but he was impressive athletically and showed good speed and reaction skills throughout the day. Tyrell has a solid frame to grow on for such a young player, and he embraced the challenge during 1 on 1's, and held his own against some older and talented wide receivers. I am excited for his future!</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Maki was an interesting case as he registered initially as a wide receiver for the showcase, however, the defensive coaches liked how he moved and worked during the agility circuit, and suggested he take some reps as a DB during 1 on 1's. The impressive thing is that in man coverage, Maki looked like a natural on that side of the ball. It's exciting that if he can get more reps and get coached up on that side of the ball, he may have a real future at the corner spot with some good size and speed to go with it. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Xyaire had a good day, and the most impressive thing about him was his reaction coming out of breaks in coverage. He does a great job of planting, turning, and exploding out of his breaks - he showed this on multiple reps during the 1 on 1 period. Xyaire has some good speed, and North Meck usually develops good defensive players on a consistent basis. I'm excited to see what he does with an opportunity this upcoming season. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Tyshon is a safety/linebacker hybrid player who showed very good instincts in coverage against running backs and tight ends in 1 on 1 coverage. As Tyshon continues to grow physically, I will be interested to see how he handles playing the run in that role, as that will be essential to his overall growth; however, in coverage, he is impressive right now already. </p>

The Charlotte Football Insiders (CFI) Carolinas MEGA Showcase brought over 270 athletes from all over the Carolinas and put them in front of over 25 colleges in order to be recruited and possibly offered college scholarships. CFI in the last 5 years has had over 100 players gain offers through exposure from their showcases and events. This analysis will focus on the top defensive backs selected by the CFI Coaching Staff as Top Performers from the event.