UA Next Camp: Underclassmen Defensive Backs Make Noise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The UA Next Camp in Chicago was a great opportunity to evaluate some of the top prospects in the Midwest with our focus particularly on Illinois.&nbsp; We were able to see the passing drills along with one on ones between pass catchers and defensive backs.&nbsp; Here I examine what caught our attention from the <strong>Illinois 2028 and 2029 Defensive Backs</strong> at the camp!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1682049' first='Logan' last='Thompson'] (Althoff – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After missing part of his sophomore season with an injury Thompson made a statement at UA Next.  He is a corner at the next level and a Power 4 one at that!  Measured in at 5'11” 163 pounds.  Ran a blistering 4.46 forty with a 4.09 shuttle.  Jumped 122.1” in the broad jump and vertically checked in at 36.2”.  Earned an invite to another prestigious Under Armour Camp.  Fluid back pedal running with man downfield and has speed to knock down pass recovering.  Sticky corner who is very sound technically who can turn and run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1682047' first='Anthony' last='Carter'] (Providence Catholic – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'2” 185 pound corner has such a natural feel at the corner spot.&nbsp; Made plays reading the movement of the receiver when not even seeing the ball thrown mirroring their movements then batting passes down.&nbsp; Can also cover tight ends as he had a nice win vs a big tight end!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kyle Spears (Kenwood – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jumbo safety at 6'4” 190 pounds that caught our attention with his size on the back end.&nbsp; Solid back pedal and plays with physicality against pass catchers in the middle third of the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1562266' first='Earnest' last='Winters'] (Cahokia – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winters took home the overall defensive back MVP of the camp.&nbsp; This is super impressive for a number of reasons.&nbsp; First he is a 2029 guy going against a ton of top receivers two years older than him.&nbsp; Second is he is a safety which is a bit harder to shine in camp settings than corners.&nbsp; He did work with a monster day combining his testing numbers, drill work, and one on one coverage to earn MVP.&nbsp; Big and athletic defensive back that can really cover a lot of ground and is a no doubt P4 guy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='812644' first='Leroy' last='Prothro Jr.'] (Mt. Carmel – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prothro is the top 2029 corner in the state.&nbsp; Athletic corner that can recovery with his speed to make a play on the ball downfield.&nbsp; Natural skills as a defensive back in his back pedal reacting to the ball in front of him or flipping his hips running downfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2174872' first='AJ' last='Akande'] (Providence Catholic – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'1” 180 pound defensive back had a good weekend getting to Sunday and continuing to show the depth of this DB class in 2029!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->