2023 DCTF Preview - Dayton Broncos
Coach: Blake Ware. Lettermen R/L: 21/18. Starters returning O/D: 5/6. 2022: 7-4 bi-district finalist/5-2 district.
Players to watch: DB Jakari Cooper (6-0, 175, 4.6), WR/DB Ashanti Allen (6-0, 170, 4.6), TE/DE Jeremiah Stevens (6-3, 195, 4.7), DL Lance Willingham (6-0, 225, 4.6), WR Braeden White (5-10, 175, 4.7), K Brayan Montes (5-8, 150, 4.8). Top juniors: OL Donahvan Thibodeaux (6-5, 250), LB Andrew Soliz (5-10, 190, 4.9). Top sophomore: QB Denim Foster (5-10, 165, 4.6).
Other prospects: OL Jacob Mercer, WR Caleb Ramirez, RB Robert Keasling, DE Marcus James, DE Aidan Newsome, WR/DB Rakin Akmal, RB/LB Jaleel Kendrick, RB/LB Merkle Judge.
2023 notes: After winning just six games in the previous five seasons combined, the Broncos broke through with seven wins and a playoff appearance in 2022. Dayton’s offense will be young at the skill spots with WR White (23-427, 6 TDs receiving) as the outside skill player with experience from a year ago returning. WR/DB Allen, who started as a freshman in 2021, is back after missing all of 2022 with an injury and should be another dynamic target for sophomore QB Foster. TE/DE Stevens had six touchdown catches a year ago and is a reliable red zone target. The defense will lead the way early with DB Cooper (39 tackles, 3 INTs), while Ware has high hopes for DL Willingham (20 tackles, 3 TFL).