5 Freshmen to Watch

(Diamond Evans)

The Jackrabbit recruiting class of 2019 was widely considered to be the best class in the program's history.  I don't like to rank classes but the talent in this class is undeniable given the number of guys who had offers to FBS programs and FCS powers.  Recruiting has changed in Brookings the past few years.  With that influx of talent, guys are challenging for playing time almost immediately.  The new four game rule has given coaches the ability to test if a guy is truly ready or not before committing to pull their redshirt.  Below I have identified five guys who appear ready to play and compete for playing time immediately.   

 #17 Diamond Evans, CB, 5-10, 180
Due to graduation and injury the cornerback room is a little thin.  However, Evans, one of the prize recruits in the 2019 class, is ready because of his physical maturity and god-given athleticism.  It will be a big test making his first appearance in front of a B1G crowd at TCF Bank Stadium but what better way to make a name for yourself.  The Chicago product was in Brookings all summer working out and participating in the captains practices.  His positive summer has carried into fall camp where he carries himself like a seasoned vet.  The Brookings Register quoted co-defensive coordinator Jimmy Rogers as saying, "When he gets the hang of it, he is going to be an All-American for years to come."

#30 Payton Shafer, LB, 6-0, 205
Payton is a really gifted and intelligent linebacker.  The son of a coach, Shafer was a tackling machine at Park High School in the Twin Cities. Shafer also spent the summer in Brookings and worked hard with the team leadership to build up his knowledge of the defense and assignments.  Shafer has good speed and was the number one rated linebacker in the state of Minnesota last season.  The linebacker position group has a little more depth than cornerback but if Shafer continues to make plays like he has in fall camp, he will be tough to keep off the field. 

#76 Bo Donald, OT, 6-6, 300 
Bo was one of the top recruits from South Dakota for the 2019 class.  Bo has wasted no time adjusting from 9-man football to FCS.  When watching him in the 9-man championship game last year I noticed his physicality and strength but thought he may need a year of seasoning to adjust.  That has not been the case as Donald's hands, feet, and ability to pick-up the playbook have been ahead of the curve. The offensive line has depth but injuries happen regularly to this position group.  If they do, I anticipate Donald to be ready to step in and make a difference. 

#3 Devin Blakley, RB, 5-10, 185
Yes, a running back, the deepest position on the Jackrabbit roster.  Blakley was a steal for the Jacks after initially committed to Bowling Green as a defensive back.  Blakley is explosive and has the ability to turn any play into a home run. The Chicago prep also has natural punt and kick return ability.  I'm curious how the coaches choose to use him this season because of the depth already established in the room.  However, last year Pierre Strong was fourth on the depth chart but ended the year as a freshman All-American after an amazing finish to the season.  Anything could happen but I would certainly expect Blakley to max out his four games. 

#48 Quinton Hicks, DE, 6-3, 225
Quinton's story is one of my favorites of this class.  He attended the 2018 prospect camp as a linebacker but after checking in was asked to move to defensive end.  He had a great camp even though it was his first time playing with his hand in the ground and ended up with a scholarship offer which he accepted a few days after.  This type of natural ability is rare.  Like the other four young men on this list, Hicks spent his summer in Brookings working on his craft.  Hicks played OLB last year for his high school after playing in the middle the prior three seasons and flashed the explosive ability that caught the coaches attention in camp finishing with 104 tackles, 9 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.   

BONUS: #28 Jordan Gandy (CB), #26 Baily Darnell (S), #4 Canyon Bauer (WR), #53 Caden Johnson (DE), and #47 Payton Madison (FB) are all guys who could play in four games and travel this year.  Again, these guys are very talented and are pushing upperclassmen for time. 

Go Jacks!
Matt 

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