Mitsuhiro Soeda Opens Junior Season With Breakout Performance for Flower Mound

Mitsuhiro Soeda entered his junior season needing an opportunity to put his development on display.

It did not take long.

The Flower Mound Class of 2028 safety recorded 12 tackles and an interception as the Jaguars defeated McKinney Boyd 28 to 24 in their season opener.

His interception came early and helped create momentum for a Flower Mound defense that needed plays throughout a close four quarter game.

For Soeda, the performance reflected many of the traits that already stand out on film.

At 5 foot 10 and 180 pounds, he is a physical safety who can come downhill and run the alley without hesitation. He is comfortable fitting the run, tackles with proper form and possesses enough explosiveness to deliver legitimate contact when he reaches the ball carrier.

His coverage ability makes him more than a box defender.

Soeda has smooth hips in transition, natural ball skills and the ability to handle man coverage responsibilities. His background as a receiver earlier in his football career is noticeable when the football is in the air. He tracks it naturally and catches the ball comfortably rather than simply trying to knock passes away.

His instincts might be his best quality.

Soeda consistently puts himself around the football and rarely appears lost within the structure of a defense. He processes quickly, plays with awareness and has the versatility to affect different areas of the field.

Speed was one of the major areas he wanted to improve before his junior season.

Soeda spent an extended portion of the offseason working with Coach B and DUB Athletic at The Iron Den in Flower Mound, training from December through the summer on speed, strength and technique. According to Coach B, that development helped Soeda move into the 4.4 to 4.5 range during training.

Soeda also credits Flower Mound defensive backs coach Juan Thrasher with helping develop his game at school. Thrasher currently serves as the Jaguars defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach under head coach Brian Basil.

As a sophomore, Soeda recorded 70 tackles and four interceptions.

Now he has opened his junior season with 12 more tackles and another takeaway.

There are currently no college offers attached to his recruitment, but his combination of production, instincts, physical tackling ability, improved speed and coverage versatility makes him a prospect deserving of significantly more attention.

The Class of 2028 still has plenty of time before its recruiting cycle is complete.

Soeda has already given college coaches a strong reason to put his name on their board.