Defensive Skill Players Dominating the Minnesconsin Camp

We continue our look back through the Minnesconsin standout performers with a look at the top defensive skill players from my notebook. The LB and DB groups brought out several impressive athletes. Some with unreal size/speed combinations, others with lockdown man to man abilities, several up and coming underclassmen to know, and a pile of kids that proved to be playmakers. They came out to the big stage and were able to carve out a way to stand out from the crowd of 600+ athletes that attended Session III. So let's dive in and talk about my top LBs and DBs from the day.    I love these Mega Camps because it always gives me a new name to dive into after they catch my eyes with their numbers or 1v1 reps. One of the athletes to do that was Hartford Union OLB/nickel Sullivan McManigal. The incoming senior put together a fantastic combine at 6'3" 185 lbs. He ran a 4.95 40, 4.47 shuttle, broad jumped 9'2" and vertical jumped 31.9". Sullivan does so well playing in space. He can pick up backs out of the backfield or TEs and turn and run with them downfield. His long frame gives him a cushion to make up space and break up passes if he does get a step out of place too. I went to his tape to learn more and have become a big fan of the way he can play in space off the edge. He uses his length to disengage from blocks and is an aggressive run defender who flies downhill and meets the ball at the line of scrimmage. Don't sleep on this kid any longer.     This kid never disappoints. Even at camps I haven't been able to watch him closely his numbers come out and instantly catch my eyes. Luckily we got to see some action on top of his great numbers. Numbers that include a 4.68 40, 4.56 shuttle, 9'2" broad jump and a 30.3" vertical. All while checking in at 6'1" 191 lbs. On the field was the best part of his day, though. Connor was outstanding in coverage. Quickly changing directions while mirroring route breaks, closing quickly to jump routes, and timing arm swipes to break up passes. The incoming junior did a great job of reading his man during the route and when the ball was in the air. Boyles has been a riser this summer and is on path for a great fall in a couple months.     An athlete I have had on my radar but haven't been able to see until this point was 2028 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1695152' first='Khalil' last='Jones'] of Catholic Memorial. Looking through the results of the day the incoming sophomore put together a great base to continue to build on over the next three years. He ran a 4.97 40, 4.46 shuttle, jumped 8'5" in the broad and 31" in the vertical. All while playing at 6' 200 lbs. At this point, Jones is at his best working in tight quarters. He works through traffic really well and has that lateral burst to make OL miss on his way to filling in run support. Even as a freshman he was able to make some impact on a State Championship qualifying varsity team. I can't wait to see his role continue to grow this fall. Get this kid on your radar early on.     Minnesota has a heck of an athlete coming through the LB ranks in 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='1695513' first='Cooper' last='Allen']. The PRZ MN team clearly understands that as Cooper is the #2 overall player in the class and top player at the LB position. Cooper already possesses elite size at 6'3" 211 lbs on the day of the camp. He ran 4.84 in the 40, 4.53 in the shuttle, jumped 8'11" and 29". Great numbers to continue to improve upon. Cooper is at his best when the live battles started. He is a kid that makes every movement while loaded up with power behind it. The highly impactful sophomore is agile through the front seven trash and quickly cleans himself of any blocks. The future is looking bright for this kid.     Flipping to the DB position, Jack Tennie was a new name on my radar while looking through the results and my notes. The safety checked in at 6'3" 185 lbs, ran a 4.69 40, 4.56 shuttle, jumped 8'11" in the broad and 31.8" in the vertical. The incoming senior has performed well in coverage this camp cycle. That long frame has allowed him to make a lot of plays on the ball at the high point and he has the hands to be able to secure turnovers for his offense. It was also impressive seeing how efficient he was transitioning out of his backpedal to turn and run with a receiver/TE or attack downhill. Great to see Jack earning a few D3 offers, but more need to tap in and keep an eye on him early in 2025.     Daniel has been apart of some dominant teams in his career, and at the River Falls camp the incoming senior again established himself. He hit 4.78 in the 40, 4.09 in the shuttle (an elite time), and jumped 9'7" and 36.6". Clearly his short area explosive burst/acceleration is his best trait, and it is one of the top traits you want to see out of a DB. The wild part is that Daniel is coming off an All Conference season as an OLB so the explosive athlete still has so much experience and potential to tap into. Don't miss out on this steal of a 2026 ATH/DB.     Jake has had a fantastic camp season, earning 3 D2 offers alone since the Mega Camp took place. Not to mention he has others before that too. At Minnesconsin the standout DB had a strong showing that included a 4.65 40, 4.53 shuttle, 9'6" broad jump, and a 32.5" vertical. All while weighing in at 6'1" 193 lbs. It was great to see him in coverage because on tape we see him a lot against the run, near the line of scrimmage and making plays behind it. So that box has long been checked, and this summer we are seeing that the athletic senior can quickly flip his hips, get good depth with his backpedal off the line, and has that closing burst to make plays on the ball and bait QBs. It is great to see one of the top DBs further verify his versatility.

We continue our look back through the Minnesconsin standout performers with a look at the top defensive skill players from my notebook. The LB and DB groups brought out several impressive athletes. Some with unreal size/speed combinations, others with lockdown man to man abilities, several up and coming underclassmen to know, and a pile of kids that proved to be playmakers. They came out to the big stage and were able to carve out a way to stand out from the crowd of 600+ athletes that attended Session III. So let's dive in and talk about my top LBs and DBs from the day.