FULLERTON, Calif. - The second iLLSPEED Competition Presented by Under Armour – the Illist drill in football which measures not only speed but burst, agility, dynamic reaction and footwork – took place here at Fullerton College 20 or so of the fastest the area has to offer competing for a spot in the finals in Baltimore.
The test is made up of four different parts: start, dynamic-reaction agility, footwork 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 toward the proper gate. This showed vision, reaction time and cognitive reflexes, important traits for any skill-position player.
After choosing the proper gate, the competitor then rounded a standing bag and then 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.
This is a drill like no other in the training industry and challenged each competitor in a way they’ve never seen before. The top four in Southern California were rewarded with a trip to the iLLSPEED Finals where they will compete with finalists from the Orlando, Dallas and Atlanta events to determine who is the Illest.
The top four from Los Angeles were:
Jaylon Redd, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. 13.75 seconds
Tyjon Lindsey, Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 13.8 seconds
Jamire Calvin, Los Angeles Cathedral, 14.0 seconds
Olaijah Griffin, Mission Viejo, Calif., 14.22 seconds
“The hardest thing about the challenge was after you took off trying to figure out which side to go to, that was the hardest part because it could take off time tremendously,” Redd said.
“The ball grab was key and you couldn’t slip trying to get to the 40. You had to really maintain around or you’re going to fall and drop the ball. The first time I thought I was going to get 13.9, 14 and I got 13.7 and I was like, woah.”
Lindsey, who finished second, said he was anxious because all the other campers were gathered around so he figured he had to show them something special. With a backflip included, the four-star receiver did just that.
“Not missing the ladder, reading the lights, it’s a mental game,” Lindsey said. “Grabbing that ball, you have to have grip. If you drop that ball, it’s over.
“I said I’m not hitting a backflip unless I really do something and I felt like I did something to impress everybody.”
