• Athletic Evaluation – Strengths: A dynamic dual-threat quarterback with a superb sophomore season under his belt. Deshawn has a strong arm for his size, capable of making all the throws – he tossed 28 touchdown passes in 2024, showing both deep-ball accuracy and the ability to thread the needle on intermediate routes. His mobility is equally impressive; he rushed for 525 yards and 11 touchdowns (leading the team in rushing TDs), often turning broken plays into big gains with his elusiveness. He has quick feet in the pocket, a smooth throwing motion on the run, and exceptional field vision for a young QB – he reads defenses well pre-snap and frequently finds the open man.
• Athletic Evaluation – Weaknesses/Areas for Improvement: On the smaller side at around 5′10″, 155–160 lbs., which raises typical questions about durability and seeing over larger linemen. Continuing to add bulk and strength will be important as he matures. At times he can be a bit aggressive with throws into tight coverage (confidence is high, but he had a few interceptions from trusting his arm too much). Working on touch for certain passes (like finesse on swing passes and fades) and consistently setting his feet will further elevate his passing efficiency. These are normal areas of growth for a young quarterback who already excels in many facets.
• Athletic Evaluation – Position-Specific Skills: As a quarterback, Deshawn demonstrates excellent pocket awareness and a quick release. He has a natural feel for pressure and often steps up or rolls out at just the right time. His accuracy is a plus – he completed about 64.5% of his passes, a very high mark, thanks to good mechanics and decision-making. On designed runs and scrambles, he showcases vision like a running back, following blockers and making sharp cuts. He’s also adept at throwing on the move, which makes him a threat on bootlegs and broken plays. In terms of football IQ, he progressed rapidly in reading coverages and leading an up-tempo offense, rarely looking like a sophomore on the field.
• Athletic Evaluation – Game Performance: Deshawn’s 2024 season was remarkable. He took over the starting QB role and immediately made an impact – in his first game he accounted for multiple touchdowns and displayed poise beyond his years. As the season went on, he had several standout performances: for instance, in a midseason shootout he threw 5 touchdown passes in one game and rushed for another, almost single-handedly outscoring the opponent. Under playoff lights, he remained productive (over 300 combined yards and 4 TDs in the quarterfinal win). In total, he amassed 2,368 passing yards and over 500 rushing yards (approximately) with 39 total TDs, while leading Burbank to a 9-3 record. His ability to protect the football improved as well, with few turnovers during the late-season run. He was rightly recognized as one of the top underclassman QBs in the region.
• Athletic Evaluation – College Potential Projection: Already a nationally-recognized 3★ prospect, Deshawn’s ceiling is extremely high. He has multiple Power-5 offers on the table – including from Michigan State, Arizona State, and Ole Miss – illustrating how college programs view his talent. Though not prototypical in height, players like him thrive in spread offenses, and he projects as a Division I quarterback (dual-threat) who could excel in an up-tempo or RPO-heavy system. As he continues to develop physically and technically, he has the potential to be an impact player at the FBS level. His recruitment will only heat up if he repeats or exceeds his sophomore performance in the coming seasons, and it’s realistic to think he could become an FBS starter down the line given his combination of arm talent and mobility.
• Character & Intangibles – Work Ethic and Dedication: Deshawn’s dedication to improvement is evident. He’s known to be a “gym rat” type of quarterback – constantly working on his craft, whether it’s extra throwing sessions with receivers after practice or footwork drills on his own time. He even took the initiative to visit college campuses and camps (he visited Arizona State in the offseason) to challenge himself and learn. He’s extremely diligent with film study for a young player, often sitting with coaches to dissect game tape. This strong work ethic has been a driving force behind his rapid development.
• Character & Intangibles – Leadership Qualities: Despite being only a sophomore in 2024, Deshawn embraced a leadership role normally reserved for upperclassmen. He carries a confident but composed demeanor in the huddle, and teammates respond to his voice. He’s encouraging with his offensive line and receivers – quick to uplift a teammate after a mistake and reinforce belief. By midseason, it was clear the team believed in him; his natural charisma and the way he handled pressure (never pointing fingers, always using “we” not “I”) earned him respect. He leads both by his electrifying play on Friday nights and by his calm, constructive communication the rest of the week.
• Character & Intangibles – Coachability: Coaches rave about Deshawn’s coachability. He’s like a sponge – in practice, when a coach gives him a correction (say, on reading a certain coverage or adjusting protection calls), he implements it immediately and you seldom see him repeat the same mistake. He actively seeks out coaching, asking questions to better understand defenses and concepts. His ability to run a complex offense as a 10th-grader speaks to how well he internalizes coaching. Also, his willingness to slide or throw the ball away to avoid hits (after coaches emphasized it for his health) showed maturity and listening skills developing over the season.
• Character & Intangibles – Mental Toughness: Poised and unflappable are words often used to describe Deshawn. He relishes pressure situations – for instance, in a close rivalry game he engineered a late go-ahead touchdown drive with cool decision-making, showing no panic despite the packed crowd and high stakes. If he ever threw an interception or the team fell behind, he remained steady and focused on the next series. His bounce-back ability is tremendous; mistakes don’t linger in his mind. Moreover, he embraces the challenge of being “the guy” – the bigger the moment, the more he seems to elevate his concentration and performance. This mental toughness has set him apart from typical underclassmen.
• Character & Intangibles – Character and Attitude: Deshawn is a humble, well-mannered young man, often described as having a “winner’s mindset” with a down-to-earth personality. He deflects credit to teammates in interviews and celebrates team success over individual stats. On the field, he’s competitive but always respectful – he helps players up and doesn’t engage in trash talk. Off the field, he maintains good grades and represents the program with class. His attitude of constant improvement and team-first mentality sets a positive example. In short, Deshawn’s character is of the highest caliber, matching his talent and making him the kind of player every coach loves to build a team around.