Northwest Showcase: Defensive back stars and standouts

This month's Northwest Showcase featured roughly 800 prospects competing in front of more than 100 college football coaches - with camp and campus visits, scholarships and major interest all on the line.   For Prep Redzone, we are using camp showings to inform our massive July rankings update.   The defensive backs in Oregon and Washington stacked a bunch of good days.   There were offers and stock risers among the group.   Here's a look at the standouts:    [player_tooltip player_id='1012408' first='Kaden' last='Johnson'], Bellevue (2028) — The 5-foot-11, 170-pound defensive back has been absolutely stellar over the past year, emerging as one of the region's top prospects.   In fact, he's become a national recruit.   Johnson was the best defensive back at The Northwest Showcase the entire day and would absolutely be a nominee if the camp had handed out an All-Session Overall MVP.   He was that good.   Since the camp, Johnson has picked up offers from Auburn, Florida State and Kansas State and is now firmly in the double-digits.   Just can't say enough about the talented Washington product.   [player_tooltip player_id='1397308' first='Dash' last='Jones'], Federal Way (2030) — There's been a lot of hype for Dash since he was a little kid tagging around - and competing in drills - alongside the state's best players for his dad's Heir Football program.    All that time, energy and work is paying off.   Jones earned an underclassmen MVP at Western Oregon displaying elite footwork, balance and athleticism.   The 5-foot-9, 162-pound corner had only one major flaw: he was physically outmanned by bigger-bodied wide receivers.   That's to be expected from a kid won't graduate for four more years.   He'll grow, get stronger and be one of the most heavily-recruited players in the country.    [player_tooltip player_id='937115' first='Jaxon' last='Lee'], Tigard (2027) — The 6-foot-3, 200-pound wide receiver/defensive back was a breakout star at the Prep Redzone Exposure Series.   But The Northwest Showcase is a different animal in terms of standing out when 800 other athletes are involved and everyone is competing for reps.   Lee continued his breakout, earning a positional MVP award and earning a pair of offers with heavy Big Sky interest.   You can see the light coming on for Lee, who has a chance to be a late bloomer and steal for an FCS program    [player_tooltip player_id='1865137' first='Dom' last='Kelly'], Lindbergh (2029) — I saw Kelly at a Prep Redzone event this spring and wondered where this talented 2027 player came from.   “If only he had another year to get stronger.”   Oh wait!   Kelly is a 2029 prospect who has looked stellar every time I've seen him.   It will be fascinating to watch him add to his frame and continue to emerge as one of the region's top defensive backs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1368318' first='Michael' last='Kori'], Kamiakin (2027) — The 6-foot-1, 165-pound defensive back is a talented defensive back who was recently re-offered by Oregon State and JaMarcus Shephard.   He will be one of the best defensive backs in the Northwest this fall.    Samuel Barringer, Sweet Home (2028) — Barringer is transitioning from outside linebacker to safety this fall.   His top-end speed will limit his top-end ceiling, but he's a quality football player who looked like he's growing more comfortable in space.    He should be a star for Sweet Home this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='2131576' first='Xavier' last='Minor'], Central Catholic (2028) — Oregon State coach JaMarcus Shephard pulled Minor from working with the underclassmen and moved him to the older group to give him more of a challenge.   Catching the eye of a Pac-12 head coach makes for a good camp, and while Minor wasn't quite as dominant against the best players in the camp he had a very solid day overall.   Minor is a player to watch.    Derek Earl, Willamette (2027) — The new Willamette star is quickly generating a ton of buzz.   He picked up an offer from Eastern Washington after a great camp showing and looks like he will be a major piece for arguably the state's best defense this fall.   Earl has a chance to be an all-state performer this year and will absolutely see an uptick to his recruiting ranking on Prep Redzone.   [player_tooltip player_id='935357' first='Josiah' last='Hawkins'], Cascade (2027) — Wide receiver. Defensive back.   It didn't matter where Hawkins lined up, he was better than the competition on nearly every rep at The Northwest Showcase.   The 5-foot-10, 175-pound athlete has some work to do to make his resume appealing to every school, but he's a returning first-team all-state guy who is one of the most under-appreciated players in the entire Northwest.   Hawkins is a baller!    [player_tooltip player_id='1125322' first='Raiden' last='Avery'], Willamette (2027) — Stop me if you've heard this one before: Willamette has another good one.   Avery has picked up a trio of offers in recent weeks - George Fox, Lewis and Clark and Linfield - showcasing his blend of high-end football talent and high GPA.   Avery is a talented player who is rising late in the process.   He only helped his cause at The Northwest Showcase.    Saxon Brock, Ashland (2027) — The 6-foot-4 defensive back has an intriguing frame and is on my list of player who have seen their stock rise over the past six month.   I'm intrigued by Brock, and it seems college coaches are beginning to take note of him as well.    Damarious Harris, North Medford (2027) — Following a strong day at The Northwest Showcase, Harris picked up an offer from host school Western Oregon.   Any time you go to a camp, look the part and pick up a scholarship offer that's an A+ day.   Harris checked a lot of boxes for teams at the camp.

This month's Northwest Showcase featured roughly 800 prospects competing in front of more than 100 college football coaches - with camp and campus visits, scholarships and major interest all on the line.