STRENGTHS
Dante is a quality and smart receiver with good athletic talent. He has this hidden competitive nature that only comes out once he is playing. He is what I call a “feel” route runner. When he runs his routes he seems to have a type of sixth sense to understand in the middle of the route, when his quarterback wants him to make his self available. He reads his opponents body language and because he times his counter move to the cornerback’s move to cover him that is how he gains separation. He has very quick feet and change of direction quickness. He has excellent soft hands to catch the ball and has the body control to adjust to the ball in the air and track the ball like an outfielder playing center field. Dante is the type of player who doesn’t impress you that much at first, but as the game goes on, he accumulates the weakness of his opponents and the weakness of the defense in general and all of a sudden in the fourth quarter he is open and making yardage and helping to bring his team from behind. He reminds me a lot of Jody Nelson with a little bit of former Buffalo Bills HOF wide receiver Andre Reed thrown in for good measure.

CONCERNS
The biggest concern is Dante’s body type struggles with injuries at the next level. He has to stay on the field because this type of talent is very hard to replace along with his ability to marry his thinking to his quarterbacks thinking while he is running routes.

BOTTOM LINE
Dante is like a surfer dude with the attitude off the field that everything is cool man and “total awesome dude” with a “sure whatever” attitude. Once he hits the surf or in Dante’s case the field, the adrenalin junky in him starts to flow and he becomes this competitive driven, analyzing how to catch the biggest wave or in his case… score a touchdown dude. You really see the wheels in his head turning when he returns punts. He has the quick decision making ability to change gears, set up blocking and make counter moves that allows him to gain needed yardage or score a touchdown. The most impressive thing I see on film every time Dante scores is when his whole team runs into the end zone to celebrate with him. It’s amazing to see and shows what an excellent teammate this kid is. Dante could be a great receiver if he can stay healthy and is paired up with a smart, quick thinking and decisive quarterback. It’s a joy to watch this surfer dude interact with his teammates and play football.

Drew Boylhart   MAR.2018