SLMFCA Showcase: 2023 defensive backs
The St. Louis Metro Football Coaches Association held its Spring Showcase on May 16 at De Smet High School in St. Louis. The showcase featured approximately 100 prospects from the 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes and included testing in…
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Continue ReadingThe St. Louis Metro Football Coaches Association held its Spring Showcase on May 16 at De Smet High School in St. Louis.
The showcase featured approximately 100 prospects from the 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes and included testing in the 40-yard dash (electronic) and pro-agility drill before moving on to positional and one-on-one drills.
Here is a quick look at some of the players who stood out:
Jayson Blake Jayson Blake 5'11" | 160 lbs | TE University City | 2023 MO , Parkway North
A safety, Blake measured in at 6 feet 1 and 172 pounds. Ran the 40 in 4.71 seconds and finished the pro-agility drill in 4.74 seconds.
Blake racked up 51 tackles, two interceptions, one sack, one fumble recovery and one touchdown during his junior season as one of the key defensive players on a Vikings team that went 8-4. He will be a player to keep an eye on this fall as Parkway North should once again be a strong team.
Dashon Hudson Dashon Hudson 5'6" | 150 lbs | DB Francis Howell | 2023 State MO , Francis Howell
Hudson, who measured in at 5-6 and 151 pounds, recorded the fastest time in the 40-yard dash on the day at 4.5 seconds. He also recorded a pro-agility time of 4.4 seconds.
Hudson was a two-way impact player on Howell’s 10-2 squad as a junior cornerback and wide receiver. He recorded 25 tackles and seven interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns, and racked up 342 total yards (294 receiving, 48 rushing). He finished with six touchdowns, including a punt return touchdown.
Hudson had 36 tackles and two interceptions as a sophomore.
Blake Larson Blake Larson 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Hillsboro | 2023 State MO , Hillsboro
A 5-11, 154-pounder, Larson impressed at the Elite Football Combine two months ago and was impressive again in this showing. A wide receiver who we also think should get some looks as a defensive back, he ran the 40 in 4.61 seconds and recorded a pro-agility time of 4.31 seconds.
Larson is a unique case when it comes to recruiting. He plays for a run-heavy program — Hillsboro attempted just 97 passes last season, completing 55 — and put up modest numbers last fall. He caught five passes for 49 yards and both numbers ranked fifth on the team.
He’s got speed, quickness and athleticism and should get some looks at the next level – as a wide receiver or a defensive back.
Owen Merrell Owen Merrell 5'10" | 205 lbs | ATH Holt | 2023 State MO , Holt
Merrell is a quarterback, but we are including him here because we like his potential to play college football on the defensive side of the ball as a defensive back or possibly even at linebacker.
He measured in at 5-10 and 191 pounds at the Showcase and recorded a pro-agility time of 4.38 and a 40 time of 4.8 seconds, which was the second fastest among the 2023 quarterbacks there.
Merrell has good speed, quickness and athleticism and should have a good season this fall after impressing in spot duty at the tail end of Holt’s 2021 campaign that ended with the runner-up finish in Class 5. He looks like a player who could have a breakout season this fall as a senior.
Christopher Sharp Jr Christopher Sharp Jr 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB De Smet | 2023 State MO ., De Smet
Sharp, who measured in at 5-11 and 160 pounds, had a good all-around day. His pro-agility time of 4.19 seconds was one of the quickest of the day and his 40 time of 4.71 seconds was among the faster times at the Showcase.
SLMFCA Showcase Coverage
2023 Prospects: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Offensive/Defensive linemen | Linebackers | Defensive Backs