Looks coming to Alabama 2024 DB DaShaun Caffee, setting official visit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Some college coaches carry on the mantra of “Iron Mike” Ditka looking for “football players” when they are on the recruiting trail. At Alabama’s Stanhope High School (Millbrook), one very impressive football player has been ringing 6A bells and swiping passes wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. Three offers have come DaShaun Caffee’s way with a lot of interest building after competing at collegiate summer camps.
The 4.48 speed posted at a recent Mercer camp shows on Caffee’s junior season film. Credited with five picks, which should have been more after a few drops, and 68 tackles in 10 games, Caffee is a difference maker at safety. The closing speed and willingness to come down the alley is one thing, but a big piece to his game that cannot be overlooked is his football IQ. Film shows Caffee picking up routes and reading his keys in a heartbeat putting himself in position to make plays.
“This offseason I am really working on my catching, getting in and out of my breaks, but mainly my catching,” Caffee said. “I have a hard time catching the ball. People see the stats, the five interceptions, but I dropped two or three last season. I dropped two in the spring game, but I caught two to make up for it. When I turn my hips, I don’t like the way it looks; I am getting smoother and things like that.”
Austin Peay, Tuskegee, and Wright State have offered with a long list of teams showing interest.
“UAB, Troy, Louisiana, North Alabama, Chattanooga, Faulkner, Navy, Middle Tennessee State, and Alabama State are showing interest,” Caffee stated.
DeShaun Caffee 2023 spring game.
Caffee’s versatility is an attractive component to his recruitment.
“They are looking at me at nickel because of my size, quickness, ability to come downhill, and ability to make tackles,” Caffee shared. “Especially on screen plays, they like how I come downhill.”
The Class of 2024 prospect has camped at Mercer, Troy, Alabama State, and Austin Peay already. Details from the Mercer camp were given.
“It was awesome,” Caffee said. “It was great for real. That was my first time meeting the Austin Peay staff, they were really excited about me. They wanted me to meet with their defensive coordinator, coach (Chris) Kappas; that is when I got the offer.
“Tuskegee offered me, but I didn’t know I had an offer from them until I saw their coach again at Troy. He said, “you know we offered you at Mercer”; I didn’t know. Had I known, man. I did great for real. I got a lot of reps in one-on-ones; that camp was great for real.”
The Trojans’ coaching staff liked what they saw in Caffee at their camp.
“Troy was another great camp,” Caffee stated. “I did amazing in the one-on-ones. Their DB coach (Greg Gasparato) was talking to me. He liked how I got up there, I had over 20 reps. I would take a rep, come back, jump back in the spot. He also liked how I did in my drills. Coach (Travis) Pearson (CB) and I have a relationship. That was my first-time camping in front of him.”
Two other opportunities to showcase the skills at college camps could happen for Caffee.
“I will be at Jacksonville State on Thursday,” Caffee shared. “I talked to North Alabama, their co-defensive coordinator wants me there on July 15; I may take that trip.”
Separate from the camps, some visits are being lined up including an official.
“I am working on setting up a visit with Austin Peay, setting up an official,” Caffee said. “That is the only one I have been talking about visit wise. I have been to all the other places. I have been to Troy three or four times, ASU (Alabama State) a lot, my mom graduated from there; I know the campus like the back of my hand. Austin Peay will be my first official.”
The bond with the Governors’ staff is solid.
“It is amazing,” Caffee stated. “I’m not going to sugarcoat anything. Their staff is great. Their energy is contagious. The main thing making me like them, they have a relationship with God. Their head coach (Scotty Walden) told us before the camp, other players take players to church and that he will feed us the word; that is very important in my household. If I commit there, I would be five hours away from home and my mom won’t have to worry. Their staff hits me up every day letting me know I am on their mind, it is awesome.”