The Show by NEXTGEN Orlando Regional: Top DBs, LBs, RBs

PrepRedzoneFL's final piece of the coverage from The Show by NEXTGEN Orlando regional event is here, and just like covering the showcase itself, I had a great time writing the recaps of the top players at every position on offense and defense, not to mention the middle schoolers that I highlighted here and for PRzNEXT. We highlighted P5 to yet-undiscovered talents from Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, and even Canada, and to finish things off we're naming the Top DBs, LBs, and RBs from the two sessions of competition, and as a former DB, I was especially excited about the crop of coverage specialists I got to lay eyes on at West Orange High School this past Sunday. Once again, thank you to founder Brent Williams and Camp Director Armani Reeves for welcoming me with open arms and allowing me to scout the day of action. Let's dig in!   --   Defensive Backs   #21: Elijah Cisco (East Ridge) 2026. 5'8, 150 lbs.   With his Spongebob Squarepants pajama bottoms and sunglasses, Cisco was hard to miss at the NEXTGEN Orlando Regional and earned an invite to The Show after his strong performance during the Group 1 morning session. A fluid athlete with a smooth running motion as well as backpedal, Cisco didn't waste steps and could flip his hips well, a skill that would aid him a ton during 1-on-1s. Sticky in coverage, he was patient and could break quickly when he triggered on the ball. Good athlete at the position and definitely on the flashier side. You want confidence at the CB position so you're not going to see me complaining!   #8: Joshua Balloon Jr. (Middleton) 2026.   What a showing by the young freshman Balloon Jr., whose pops played football at USF. Balloon Jr. competed in both sessions of the NEXTGEN Orlando event and was more than able to compete against varsity upperclassmen opponents. Physical at the LOS and at the catch point, Balloon Jr. could change direction easily and quickly and did a good job of staying square and never allowing a WR easy access to get by him. Consistent rep to rep and also a great finisher. Loved the quiet confidence and competitiveness as well. He wanted to go against the best, no matter who it was.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Joshua-Balloon-2026-DB.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-604954" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Balloon Jr.</figcaption></figure>   #4: Ja'[player_tooltip player_id='283754' first='Kyri' last='Watson'] (Osceola) 2026. 5'7, 135 lbs.   Another talented young buck who could hang with the older prospects, Watson is coming out of an uber-talented Kissimmee Osceola program known for producing blue-chip talents. The best of the Group 1 DBs at playing press man, Watson was tough and physical at the LOS while maintaining patience and never opening the gate or lunging. Also showed ball skills and could mirror WRs steps and routes to contest them at every point of the route.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Jakyri-Watson-2026-DB.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-604953" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Watson</figcaption></figure>   #12: Tamaj Mitchell (Bartram Trail) 2026. 5'9, 140 lbs.   Another CB prospect who excelled in press-man and beat receivers right at the LOS, showing patience, a mean punch, and quick feet that didn't waste steps and got out of his breaks quickly. Was also one of the tougher DBs at the NEXTGEN Orlando, taking some big lumps, battling WRs to the teeth, and hitting the turf hard, but always popping up ready for more.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Tamajh-Mitchell-2026-DB.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-604956" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mitchell</figcaption></figure>   #116: Chakai Scott (West Orange) 2026. 5'9, 150 lbs.   Playing on his home turf at West Orange High, Scott rounded out a talented crop of freshman in Group 1 but also excelled against the older boys in group 2 during the afternoon. Came alive and did his best work during 1-on-1s, where he standout speed, loose hips, and fearlessness pressing at the LOS helped him win just every rep he possible during 1-on-1s. Could play off-man or press-man equally as effective. Just about every West Orange product had a great day at the NEXTGEN Orlando regional.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Chakai-Scott-2026-DB-West-Orange.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-604948" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scott</figcaption></figure>   #105: Jakobe Campbell (Zephyrhills) 2024. 6', 170 lbs.   Solid, muscular build with good height and size for the CB position in college and showed great ball skills and comfortability with the ball in the air during 1-on-1s. Was the best looking DB footwork-wise during positional drills and had fluid feet and loose hips. Holds Akron and FIU offers and definitely looks and moves like the part.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Jakobe-Campbell-2024-DB-Zephyr-Hills.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-604952" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Campbell</figcaption></figure>   #107: [player_tooltip player_id='404084' first='Fred' last='Gaskin III'] (Vanguard) 2024. 5'11, 175 lbs.   The MVP of the Group 2 DBs and overall, 4-star Ocala Vanguard DB [player_tooltip player_id='404084' first='Fred' last='Gaskin III'] passed the eye test and dominated DB so well that he even took a ton of WR reps at the end of the afternoon in Winter Garden. Confident, strong, and one of the fastest players in attendance, Gaskin III didn't let anything get over the top of him and could break so quickly and efficiently it looked like he was running the route for the receiver more often than not. A superior athlete, Gaskin III was everything you could want in a college DB prospect with speed, change of direction skills, and physicality. The 352 had a strong showing and it was led all the way by Gaskin III. I've seen this dude play live as well and he's even better in pads.   #114: Marlon Jackson (Bloomingdale) 2024. 6' 180 lbs.   The Tampa Catholic transfer had a lean, ropey, and wiry frame with length that helped him when pressing and a ton of strength once he got hands on. One of the more violent and physical CBs at the NEXTGEN Orlando event and broke up a lot of passes over the course of 1-on-1s.   #110: Talon Evans (Osceola) 2025. 5'9, 165 lbs.   One of the biggest workhorses of the DB group, Evans took a ton of reps and never got tired or wavered in his competitiveness. Could play press or off-man and did a good job of staying discipline. Also had real vertical ability and could go up to high point contested catches. Good athlete at the position.   #106: Raheim Sexil (Sumner) 2024. 6'1, 185 lbs.   Excellent length and overall size for the DB position and was comfortable pressing at the LOS and using his length to keep WRs off their marks and in front of him. Got some good wins that added up over the course of the afternoon at West Orange High School.   Linebackers   #228: [player_tooltip player_id='401461' first='Tyrique' last='Harris'] (Clearwater Academy International) 2026. 6'1, 195 lbs.   Coming off his first overall and first Division 1 offer five days ago from Arkansas State, freshman LB [player_tooltip player_id='401461' first='Tyrique' last='Harris'] was the biggest and best of the linebackers in Group 1 of the NEXTGEN Orlando Regional. For a freshman, he definitely passed the eye test, and is still growing into his 6'1, 195 lb. frame that has the build to hold and develop a lot more muscle. Also showed off body control and quick feet in bag work and could change direction and close space well during 1-on-1s with RBs.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Tyrique-Harris-2026-LB.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-604957" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Harris</figcaption></figure>   #227: AJ Borell (Cornerstone Charter Academy) 2024. 6'1, 180 lbs.   Long, strong, and wiry 6'1, 180+ pounds that passed the eye test and helped the junior make a statement in the group 2 session of the NEXTGEN Orlando event. Moved well in positional drills and showed he could contribute in coverage and had good reps during 1-on-1s.   #216: Nickai McKeller (P.K. Yonge) 2025. 5'10, 205 lbs.   Coming out of Gainesville, the town where I currently live, McKeller did well during competition and had a strong performance doing 1-on-1, RB vs. LB tag drill in space. Played with good angles and closed space quickly.   #213: Jacob Dyer (Trinity Catholic) 2024. 6', 190 lbs.   Another 352 representative out of Ocala, Dyer had a great build with wide shoulders and wiry muscle that looked built for run support. Got better as the day went on and had some good reps in pass coverage during 1-on-1s.   #205: [player_tooltip player_id='1549320' first='Tristan' last='Lennon'] (Zephyrhills) 2025. 6', 170 lbs.   Had one of the best personal showings of any LB during the run defense drills in space and played with excellent angles when pursuing and triggering on RBs. Burst out of his stance and used leverage to his advantage. Played through RBs as well and it seemed like contact didn't phase him a bit.   Running Backs   #244: JT Bronaugh (Foundation Academy) 2024. 5'11, 195 lbs.   My pick for RB MVP of the NEXTGEN Orlando Regional stop, hometown Winter Garden prospect Bronaugh was a cut up 5'11, 190+ and ran angrier and harder than RB in attendance. Powerful out of his cuts, soft hands, and played with a low center of gravity for being a taller 5'11. I would not want to get in the way of this kid padded up on the gridiron. He earned an invite to The Show for his standout performance.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/JT-Bronaugh-2024-RB-Foundation.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-604955" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bronaugh</figcaption></figure>   #108: [player_tooltip player_id='275872' first='Elija' last='Mason'] (Gaither) 2026. 5'10, 170 lbs.   This is my third or fourth time seeing young Mason live and every time I see him he looks better and better. A compact and strong freshman, Mason was the Group 1 RB MVP by a mile and showed off that patented suddenness I'm used to seeing from the shifty RB. He could drop his hips and change direction better than just about any other RB all afternoon at West Orange High School and also possessed some of the softest hands. Natural and comfortable in the open field, he can easily set up defenders when running routes or with the ball in his hands. Twitchy and powerful with defenders bearing down on him. Got varsity reps as a freshman at Tampa Gaither and has done nothing but show up and show out no matter who is in front of him.   #145: Darius Smith (Sumner) 2024. 5'8, 165 lbs.   A coaches favorite from Group 2, Sumner's rising senior Smith was consistent and smooth in individual drills and 1-on-1 competition and possessed quick feet, good balance, and a low center of gravity that did a good job of not indicating where he was cutting to.   146: LJ Elwin (Tampa Catholic) 2025. 5'9, 170 lbs.   An electric little ball of elusiveness, Elwin's vision, suddenness, and well-timed cuts made him a nightmare for LBs to try and deal with in space and he had some killer reps where he snatched opponents ankles and sent them grasping at air as he cut at the last possible second. Could drop his hips and set up his cuts very well. One of the most-fun prospects to watch at the entire NEXTGEN Orlando event last Sunday.   <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/CJ-Elwin-2025-RB.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-604949" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Elwin</figcaption></figure>   #123: Sadly, I couldn't find the name of RB 123, who was a coaches favorite and performed well in space. If someone knows from his fellow RB group please message me and I'll update the article accordingly.

PrepRedzoneFL's final piece of the coverage from The Show by NEXTGEN Orlando regional event is here, and just like covering the showcase itself, I had a great time writing the recaps of the top players at every position on offense and defense, not to mention the middle schoolers that I highlighted here and for PRzNEXT. We highlighted P5 to yet-undiscovered talents from Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, and even Canada, and to finish things off we're naming the Top DBs, LBs, and RBs from the two sessions of competition, and as a former DB, I was especially excited about the crop of coverage specialists I got to lay eyes on at West Orange High School this past Sunday. Once again, thank you to founder Brent Williams and Camp Director Armani Reeves for welcoming me with open arms and allowing me to scout the day of action. Let's dig in!