The Best in Lake County Showcase: Standout DBs and WRs
As we wrap up our coverage from this past weekend’s showcase, we can’t forget to highlight some of the talented WRs and DBs who were in attendance. Watching these two positions battle it out was by far the most exciting…
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Continue ReadingAs we wrap up our coverage from this past weekend’s showcase, we can’t forget to highlight some of the talented WRs and DBs who were in attendance.
Watching these two positions battle it out was by far the most exciting part of the showcase. It was intense and got a bit chippy at times, but nonetheless the competition was high-level and fun to watch.
Here are some DBs and WRs who caught my eye at “The Best in Lake County Showcase.”
Jailen Duffie | Warren ’23
Duffie is apart of the heralded Illinois C/O ’23 and probably had the most upside of anybody that attended the showcase. He worked out as a DB and WR, and after watching him in action, he has a promising future in whichever position he lands at. He’s a taller DB that showed he could hold his own in press coverage as well as covering his matchup down the field. On offense, he ran sharp routes and caught the ball well and consistently won his matchups. I don’t want to speak too soon, but I think Warren has a star in the making in Jailen Duffie.
Joel Williams | Warren ’22
Williams was a blur on the field and was by far one of the quickest players in attendance. He’s a solid route runner, and for his size, he catches the ball well downfield and in traffic.
Carl Strawder | Zion ’22
Strawder left the showcase as the MVP of the receivers and deservingly so. Football is in his blood as his father played with Jerry Rice at MVSU and his brother Kevin was one of the most explosive athletes Lake County has ever seen. Strawder is just as dynamic and explosive and will have a field day in the slot this season.
Christian Crump | Bradford ’22
Crump was impressive to say the least. His speed and quicks were on display as he consistently ate up the DBs cushion off the line of scrimmage. He’s an aggressive slot-receiver that can stretch the field vertically and be a nightmare in the catch and run game.
Luke Jones Luke Jones 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Deerfield | 2022 State IL | Deerfield ’22
Jones is a long and rangy WR with deceptive speed. He caught the ball well, ran crisp/smooth routes, and showcased his ability to get open consistently. Can be a threat downfield or in the intermediate passing game.
Stefon Mitchell Stefon Mitchell 5'11" | 185 lbs | DB Bradford | 2022 State WI | Indian Trails ’22
Mitchell is a physical DB that excels in press coverage. He spent some time at both DB positions during the showcase, but I think his ideal position at the next level will be CB. Has strong hands and uses them to initiate the contact at the line of scrimmage and he displayed good footwork and the ability to turn and run with the receiver.
Quinton Henry | Bradford ’22
Henry showed that he is capable of being a big-time possession receiver. He put pressure on the DBs with his quick get-off and showed he could really stretch the field vertically. Understands how to read coverages and has a knack for getting open by finding the holes in the zone. Can really pile up the YAC and is a creative runner who’s slippery in space.
Charlie Mcbride | Libertyville ’21
Mcbride was named the MVP for the DBs. He went out there and competed for every play and showed he could hold his own when matched up 1-on-1. What was most impressive about McBride is that he was able to make on-the-fly corrections. Any instruction he was given, he was able to go out the next play and make the necessary adjustments.
Dajhir Gordon | Warren ’24
The youngest of the bunch was Dajhir Gordon, and I’ll be the first to tell you, his future is as bright as anyone’s in the C/O ’24. He’s an all-around athlete that can do just about anything on offense: sure-handed, effortless route-runner, and the speed to take the top off a defense. Dajhir is definitely an athlete to keep an eye on over the next few years.