Wesley Eriksen is a 20 year old prospect coming out of the Universiy of Arkansas. Although he was touted as a revelation coming out of high school, Eriksen had trouble breaking into the Razorbacks starting lineup. It wasn't until halfway through his Junior year when an injury to the usual starter allowed him to step up. And step up he did, recording two interceptions the remainder of the year, and an impressive six on his senior campaign.
Eriksen is deceptively fast and has the ability to jump on balls that seem outside of range; he's also been working to improve his game IQ and Tackling, as evidenced by personal training he's been undergoing in the offseason. He seems capable of filling in as either a free or strong safety, with the ability to play as a zone corner. He was even lined up at LB several times in his senior season. When asked about his position he had this to say "I feel most comfortable playing as a strong safety, it feels nice looking downfield and feeling like I can see the entire play developing in front of me, but I'm always willing to fill in where I'm most valuable." If he hopes to make it in the NSFL then he'll need to bulk up, he won't soon forget being muscled out late in the Cotton Bowl last year and giving up a game changing first down at the worst possible moment. Despite a few question marks, Eriksen looks primed to be a solid safety with upside. In an interview conducted after that Cotton Bowl loss Eriksen had this to say: "It's a bitter pill to end your college career on that note, but you have to keep moving. There's always another game, always another chance to learn from your mistakes and come back stronger and fiercer." If that's the sort of attitude he plans on bringing into the DSFL, I suspect a lot of programs will be lining up at his door.
Player Comparison - Harrison Smith
![[Image: jea-3728-Vikings-vs-Seattle.jpg?w=796]](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/jea-3728-Vikings-vs-Seattle.jpg?w=796)
Eriksen has a similar size and speed to a young Harrison Smith (although he'll need to gain some weight to match the physicality) and had similar production his senior year. Eriksen seems to have a similar awareness in zone coverage, but has some trouble playing man-to-man.
If Eriksen ever wants to be on Smith's level he has a ton of work to do. More than any amount of weights or drills, Eriksen will have to bring a mentality that is indomitable. And that seems to be a quality he has in spades
"Every day I want to be the best I can be," Eriksen is quoted, "as long as I'm .1% better than I was yesterday, every day, I can accomplish anything."
Eriksen is deceptively fast and has the ability to jump on balls that seem outside of range; he's also been working to improve his game IQ and Tackling, as evidenced by personal training he's been undergoing in the offseason. He seems capable of filling in as either a free or strong safety, with the ability to play as a zone corner. He was even lined up at LB several times in his senior season. When asked about his position he had this to say "I feel most comfortable playing as a strong safety, it feels nice looking downfield and feeling like I can see the entire play developing in front of me, but I'm always willing to fill in where I'm most valuable." If he hopes to make it in the NSFL then he'll need to bulk up, he won't soon forget being muscled out late in the Cotton Bowl last year and giving up a game changing first down at the worst possible moment. Despite a few question marks, Eriksen looks primed to be a solid safety with upside. In an interview conducted after that Cotton Bowl loss Eriksen had this to say: "It's a bitter pill to end your college career on that note, but you have to keep moving. There's always another game, always another chance to learn from your mistakes and come back stronger and fiercer." If that's the sort of attitude he plans on bringing into the DSFL, I suspect a lot of programs will be lining up at his door.
Player Comparison - Harrison Smith
Eriksen has a similar size and speed to a young Harrison Smith (although he'll need to gain some weight to match the physicality) and had similar production his senior year. Eriksen seems to have a similar awareness in zone coverage, but has some trouble playing man-to-man.
If Eriksen ever wants to be on Smith's level he has a ton of work to do. More than any amount of weights or drills, Eriksen will have to bring a mentality that is indomitable. And that seems to be a quality he has in spades
"Every day I want to be the best I can be," Eriksen is quoted, "as long as I'm .1% better than I was yesterday, every day, I can accomplish anything."
