Being committed to Arkansas, defensive end Daytrieon Dean knew he would be a marked man and that showed in last week’s season opening 26-15 victory over Pine Bluff.
“I knew coming into the season that it was going to happen, I was going to get a lot of double teams and a lot of people were going to try and chop block me,” Dean said.
Dean has a strong supporting cast that includes two playmaking juniors in cornerback Kiondre Thomas and linebacker Deontre Hardwick.
“I just need to focus on making the plays that I can and if they are going to have two or three guys coming at me, Deontre is going to make even more tackles,” Dean said.
Dean, 6-3, 255, 4.89 seconds in the 40 yard dash, chose the Hogs over scholarship offers from Ole Miss and Arkansas State in March. He later added an offer from Oklahoma State.
He recorded 9 tackles and 2 sacks while seeing double teams most of the time against the Zebras. The Grizzlies forced Pine Bluff into six turnovers.
“Our defense practiced hard throughout the week and we had a good week of practice,” Dean said. “This wasn’t a surprise to me – all the turnovers and interceptions. We are just trying to get better every week.”
Northside Coach Mike Falluer was happy with Dean’s performance.
“He played like a son of a gun and that’s what we want,” Falleur said. “That’s what we told him. We don’t have to play perfect, but just do your job.”
The two sacks despite the extra attention was gratifying.
“Especially if I am going to see some much attention, they are going to feel even better when I get back there,” Deans said. “You want to make the offensive coordinator on the other team mad. That means you are getting things done. I just love that.”
Dean is rated a 4-star prospect by national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network.
“Daytrieon impresses you with his explosive moves and relentless drive to the quarterback,” Lemming said. “He gets excellent leverage and shows good hand placement, which he uses to play off defenders and then to find the ball.”
Dean is mentoring Hardwick, an impressive 6-foot 1 inch, 235 pounder with 4.6 speed in the 40 yard dash. Arkansas State has extended an offer while Arkansas and a host of others are showing interest
“I try and be his big brother and he looks at himself as my little brother,” Dean said. “I just try to talk to him about things – the way he has to act, how people view him, how he has to get his grades and that it is just not solely about what you do on the field, but also what you do off of it.”
Hardwick, who had 7 tackles and a sack against the Zebras, is working to improve his academics to help his chances with other colleges.
“He really started working hard this summer, got up and early and worked with me and my trainer and we grew closer together,” said Dean of Hardwick. “He is improved a lot, his grades are looking good so far and I am going to stay on him.
“He is going to be a big-time player for us. He is always where the football is.”
Thomas, 6-0, 170 pounds was timed at 4.37 seconds in the 40 yard dash at the TCU camp and 4.44 seconds at Arkansas’ camp in July. He recorded 3 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, recovered fumble and 4 tackles last week.
“He is a 4.4 40 type of guy and I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes one to the house,” Dean said. “He is just freakish athlete. A lot of schools are not on his radar, but give it time. He is going to be a big-time player.”