As the season draws to a close, many rookies are coming to the end of their time in the DSFL and preparing for their draft into the NSFL. Whilst one thing comes to an end, another begins. The first wave of S21 Draft eligible players have declared themselves and made the daunting step up from College football into the DSFL. We’re here to take a look at the first performances of the S21 Pioneers, to try and identify those who can make a difference in the waning weeks of S19 in the DSFL, and who might be the key players in DSFL S20.
Over 25 players have already declared, and about 20 of those have been picked up off of waivers onto four different teams. The Kansas City Coyotes and the Norfolk Seawolves, both out of the hunt this year, are the teams yet to pick up any rookies so far. The Minnesota Grey Ducks have picked up a number of players, but they didn’t see any action as the Duck’s won their key week 11 and week 12 matchups to remain in the hunt for first place in the NFC North, so we’ll focus on the 3 other teams to have picked up rookies; the Luchadores, Pythons and Buccaneers.
The Tijuana Luchadores showed they weren’t afraid to integrate a new RB into their game. Ed Barker immediately came in for Week 11 and put up a respectable stat-line, totalling 66 yards on 20 carries in a win against the Seawolves. He bettered this in week 12 when routing the Coyotes, taking 17 carries for over 100 yards, averaging 6.1 ypc, as well as logging a couple of receptions. Ed will be one to watch in the final games of the season, the 10-2 Luchadores will be hoping his backfield partnership with Jed Podolak will propel them to a championship.
Daniel Winkler also announced himself, the EDGE prospect notching his first sack in Week 11 whilst also grabbing himself 4 tackles, 2 for loss. 2 more tackles, 1 for loss, followed in Week 12. A pair of receivers for the Luchadores made their debut week 12, Scotty McGuy making 1 reception and Rusty Nails making 2, including his first Touchdown. The Luchadores have grabbed themselves a strong set of rookies as they look to carry their form into the post-season.
The Portland Pythons added 2 extra weapons as they look to hold onto the NFC North. Raheem Okusi and Baby Yoda were both heavily involved in the Week 11 win against the Kansas City Coyotes. Yoda had 15 touches on the ground and through the air, gaining 89 yards. Okusi had 4 receptions for 58 yards, including a long of 30 yards and catching a short 2 yarder from J. Cue for his maiden touchdown. The week 12 game against the Grey Ducks saw the Pythons offense stifled, Okusi registering 2 catches whilst Yoda still managed a respectable 5.1 ypc on 7 carries and 19 yards on 2 catches. Yoda looks to be a strong dual-threat RB prospect going forward.
The Myrtle Beach Buccaneers have picked up 6 players off of waivers, though so far only 2 have seen significant playing time, Immanuel Blackstone and Dax Frost. Blackstone has recorded very similar numbers to another EDGE prospect in this class, Daniel Winkler, as he picked up his first sack in his second game against the Seawolves, and 5 tackles across his first 2 games, respectable numbers for the rookie. He’s only slightly overshadowed by the impact of fellow rookie Dax Frost.
Frost has declared himself as DB #1 in the S21 Draft class. Playing as CB2 behind the league leader in interceptions, Kacey Dream, Dax was heavily targeted by opposing QB’s in Weeks 11 and 12. This proved no problem for the newcomer. Undaunted, he defended 3 passes in Week 11 against the Seawolves, made 2 tackles, but most importantly recorded his first career interception, picking off a Zach Vega pass meant for M. Big Chest. In Week 12, Dax stepped up again as the Buccaneers secondary played lights out with 4 interceptions, 3 for Dream, 1 for Frost, with Dax returning his interception for a defensive touchdown. He also added 2 PDs and 3 tackles to round out another solid showing.
Way too early top 5:
1.
Dax Frost, CB, Myrtle Beach Buccaneers
5 PD’s, 2 Interceptions, 1 Def TD
Frost is learning from the best CB in the DSFL in Kacy Dream. Their CB1 and CB2 partnership will be relied on by Myrtle Beach in the playoffs. Repeat performances in games 13 and 14 will see Frost highly coveted come the DSFL Draft.
2.
Ed Barker, RB, Tijuana Luchadores
37 Carries, 170 yds, 4.6 ypc
Good first showings, solid ypc. Clearly trusted already in the Tijuana offense. 6’2” and super speedy, I’d like to see Barber get involved in the passing game.
3.
Baby Yoda, RB, Portland Pythons
18 carries, 98 yds, 5.4 ypc, 6 rec, 46 yds
Undersized receiving back clearly has great hands, super shifty. 2B to Barbers 2A. If he can develop some more speed could be a game breaker.
4.
Raheem Okusi, WR, Portland Pythons
9 targets, 6 rec, 86 yds, 1 TD
Of the 3 S21 WR’s to see game time in Weeks 11 & 12, Okusi was the one to stand out. Great speed and size. Caught 6/9 targets so decent hands as well. The Pythons have some great weapons for the playoffs.
5.
Daniel Winkler, DE, Tijuana Luchadores
6 Tackles, 3 TFL, 1 Sack
Winkler starts off as DE #1, edging out Immanuel Blackstone. Good speed, good strength. 3 out of his tackles are behind the line scrimmage, so clearly good awareness and game intelligence.
With a long way to go before the DSFL draft, there’s still many rookies yet to declare. Many players claimed are yet to get playing time. We’ll get a better idea of the state of the draft class as the season comes to its end, can any of these players clinch a championship for the teams taking a chance on them We’ll find out.
Over 25 players have already declared, and about 20 of those have been picked up off of waivers onto four different teams. The Kansas City Coyotes and the Norfolk Seawolves, both out of the hunt this year, are the teams yet to pick up any rookies so far. The Minnesota Grey Ducks have picked up a number of players, but they didn’t see any action as the Duck’s won their key week 11 and week 12 matchups to remain in the hunt for first place in the NFC North, so we’ll focus on the 3 other teams to have picked up rookies; the Luchadores, Pythons and Buccaneers.
The Tijuana Luchadores showed they weren’t afraid to integrate a new RB into their game. Ed Barker immediately came in for Week 11 and put up a respectable stat-line, totalling 66 yards on 20 carries in a win against the Seawolves. He bettered this in week 12 when routing the Coyotes, taking 17 carries for over 100 yards, averaging 6.1 ypc, as well as logging a couple of receptions. Ed will be one to watch in the final games of the season, the 10-2 Luchadores will be hoping his backfield partnership with Jed Podolak will propel them to a championship.
Daniel Winkler also announced himself, the EDGE prospect notching his first sack in Week 11 whilst also grabbing himself 4 tackles, 2 for loss. 2 more tackles, 1 for loss, followed in Week 12. A pair of receivers for the Luchadores made their debut week 12, Scotty McGuy making 1 reception and Rusty Nails making 2, including his first Touchdown. The Luchadores have grabbed themselves a strong set of rookies as they look to carry their form into the post-season.
The Portland Pythons added 2 extra weapons as they look to hold onto the NFC North. Raheem Okusi and Baby Yoda were both heavily involved in the Week 11 win against the Kansas City Coyotes. Yoda had 15 touches on the ground and through the air, gaining 89 yards. Okusi had 4 receptions for 58 yards, including a long of 30 yards and catching a short 2 yarder from J. Cue for his maiden touchdown. The week 12 game against the Grey Ducks saw the Pythons offense stifled, Okusi registering 2 catches whilst Yoda still managed a respectable 5.1 ypc on 7 carries and 19 yards on 2 catches. Yoda looks to be a strong dual-threat RB prospect going forward.
The Myrtle Beach Buccaneers have picked up 6 players off of waivers, though so far only 2 have seen significant playing time, Immanuel Blackstone and Dax Frost. Blackstone has recorded very similar numbers to another EDGE prospect in this class, Daniel Winkler, as he picked up his first sack in his second game against the Seawolves, and 5 tackles across his first 2 games, respectable numbers for the rookie. He’s only slightly overshadowed by the impact of fellow rookie Dax Frost.
Frost has declared himself as DB #1 in the S21 Draft class. Playing as CB2 behind the league leader in interceptions, Kacey Dream, Dax was heavily targeted by opposing QB’s in Weeks 11 and 12. This proved no problem for the newcomer. Undaunted, he defended 3 passes in Week 11 against the Seawolves, made 2 tackles, but most importantly recorded his first career interception, picking off a Zach Vega pass meant for M. Big Chest. In Week 12, Dax stepped up again as the Buccaneers secondary played lights out with 4 interceptions, 3 for Dream, 1 for Frost, with Dax returning his interception for a defensive touchdown. He also added 2 PDs and 3 tackles to round out another solid showing.
Way too early top 5:
1.
Dax Frost, CB, Myrtle Beach Buccaneers
5 PD’s, 2 Interceptions, 1 Def TD
Frost is learning from the best CB in the DSFL in Kacy Dream. Their CB1 and CB2 partnership will be relied on by Myrtle Beach in the playoffs. Repeat performances in games 13 and 14 will see Frost highly coveted come the DSFL Draft.
2.
Ed Barker, RB, Tijuana Luchadores
37 Carries, 170 yds, 4.6 ypc
Good first showings, solid ypc. Clearly trusted already in the Tijuana offense. 6’2” and super speedy, I’d like to see Barber get involved in the passing game.
3.
Baby Yoda, RB, Portland Pythons
18 carries, 98 yds, 5.4 ypc, 6 rec, 46 yds
Undersized receiving back clearly has great hands, super shifty. 2B to Barbers 2A. If he can develop some more speed could be a game breaker.
4.
Raheem Okusi, WR, Portland Pythons
9 targets, 6 rec, 86 yds, 1 TD
Of the 3 S21 WR’s to see game time in Weeks 11 & 12, Okusi was the one to stand out. Great speed and size. Caught 6/9 targets so decent hands as well. The Pythons have some great weapons for the playoffs.
5.
Daniel Winkler, DE, Tijuana Luchadores
6 Tackles, 3 TFL, 1 Sack
Winkler starts off as DE #1, edging out Immanuel Blackstone. Good speed, good strength. 3 out of his tackles are behind the line scrimmage, so clearly good awareness and game intelligence.
With a long way to go before the DSFL draft, there’s still many rookies yet to declare. Many players claimed are yet to get playing time. We’ll get a better idea of the state of the draft class as the season comes to its end, can any of these players clinch a championship for the teams taking a chance on them We’ll find out.
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