BALTIMORE – The first year of the iLLSPEED tour saw stops in five different cities, but it was only fitting that the event’s first-ever champion was crowned in the same city that Under Armour was born.
Four-star Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., athlete Jaylon Redd blazed his way to a 13.97 time in the finals to take home the crown and earn the automatic invitation to the Under Armour All-America Game that comes along with it.
Redd was joined in the top three by electric Corona (Calif.) Centennial wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey (14.10) and four-star Tulsa (Okla.) Union and Oklahoma Sooners defensive back commit Tre Brown (14.25). Lindsey and Brown were both also rewarded with invites to the Under Armour All-America Game for their efforts.
“This was my goal to come here and win it,” Redd said. “It was a great group and it feels amazing to be the fastest guy.”
As expected, with the nation’s top regional performers in attendance, the times were the fastest they had been this year. Rivals250 defensive back AJ Terrell, who ran the fastest time in the country heading into the finals (13.74), bested his time on Saturday night (13.67) but was assessed a one-second penalty after missing a step during the ladder portion of the competition.
The test is made up of four different parts: Start, dynamic reaction agility, feet and agility skill and the all-important race to the finish. Competitors got two individual runs through the drill where they began two yards behind the start line, burst out of their stance once the red light on the first gate is illuminated and then were off to the races.
After the competitor passed through the first gate, dynamic reaction was tested as they had to quickly determine which of two gates lit up and dash towards the proper gate.
This showed vision, reaction time and cognitive reflexes, all important traits for any player skill position player.
After choosing the proper gate, the competitor then rounded a standing bag and navigated the ladder drill, where footwork is a must and any slip-up cost them time. After completing the ladder drill, the competitor then headed back toward the start gate where he had to grab a football in stride, turn back through the original gate and then show off his speed by racing 40 yards downfield to the finish.
All in all, the drill itself showed off a player’s ability to start off the whistle with burst, react to visual stimuli and make a key cognitive choice while reaching top speed, flash his footwork and ball skills and then finish with straight line quickness.
