2021 Defensive Back Sleepers

Illinois has a deep and talented crop of 2021 defensive backs. Let’s take a look at some of the sleepers that are poised to have a breakout season. &nbsp; <strong>Marcus Puller, 5’9, 165, <em>Chicago (Phillips)</em></strong> The senior defensive back out of Phillips exemplifies that old saying of being “Chicago Tough.” Puller is feisty, aggressive, and plays with a level of physicality that is often unmatched for players of his size. He does his work early and makes it difficult for the opposing receiver to get off a clean route by routinely jamming his opponent at the scrimmage line. Puller has the speed to run with any wide receiver and the instincts to break on the ball with precise timing. And last but not least, he’s a sure tackler that relishes at the opportunity to lay the wood on the opposing ball carrier. &nbsp; <strong>Marc Davilla, 5’10, 175, <em>Gurnee (Warren)</em></strong> Davilla excels in man coverage and is the type of cornerback that doesn’t mind being on an island with opposing team’s best receiver. He has fluid hips and quick feet, the ability to change directions quickly, and the speed and athleticism to pester his opponents in coverage. He’s a ball hawk with excellent instincts that seem to always place him at the right place at the right time to make a play on the ball. Davilla is poised for a breakout season as he heads into his senior campaign as the feature cornerback on a Warren defense that made it to the 2019 Class 8A state championship game. &nbsp; <strong>Andrew Love, 5’9, 163, <em>Chicago (Brother Rice)</em></strong> Love is a playmaker on defense. He has the range and ball skills to cover the field from sideline to sideline and consistently make plays in the passing and running game. Has above-average coverage skills which allow him to be in a position to make routine plays on the ball. He’s not afraid to come downhill and make his presence felt in the run game and is very skilled at timing his hits to dislodge the ball from receivers. &nbsp; <strong>Jaelyn Williams, 5’8, 160, <em>Hoffman Estates</em></strong> What impressed me the most after dissecting Williams’ film is the speed at which he plays the game. His speed and quickness allow him to cover a ton of space on the field and run with any receiver when he’s in man coverage. His versatility on defense enables him to be equally effective at both cornerback and safety positions. Williams will also get the chance to showcase his skills at this year’s Hawaii Tiki Bowl, an event that is recognized as the premier all-star game for high school football players in America. &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23149" first="Jamar" last="Mays"], 6’1, 165, <em>North Chicago</em></strong> Mays has excellent hips for a taller cornerback and can turn and run with smooth transitions. He consistently uses his athleticism to make plays on the ball and has the physical upside to be an above-average man coverage corner. Wilton Hill, head coach of the North Chicago Warhawks, believes Mays has the talent to play at the next level and his primed for a breakout senior season. &nbsp; &nbsp; <p style="text-align: center"><strong></strong></p> &nbsp; <p style="text-align: center"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20350" first="Kaliub" last="Hopkins"], 5’11, 190, <em>Chicago (Simeon)</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center">Kailub Hopkins can easily climb up the defensive back rankings once the season kicks off. The senior safety for the Simeon Wolverines is a great open-field tackler with the physical gifts to be a force in stopping the run. Hopkins also has the range to cover the field and the instincts to attack the ball once it’s in the air.</p> &nbsp; &nbsp; <p style="text-align: center"><em><strong>Other 2021 defensive back sleepers:</strong></em></p> <p style="text-align: center">Jahari Walker-Chicago (Young)</p> <p style="text-align: center">Chris Garrett-Plainfield South</p> <p style="text-align: center">Henry Woods-Lincoln-Way East</p> <p style="text-align: center">Deangelo McClellan-Mundelein</p> <p style="text-align: center">Jayden Marquis- Antioch</p> &nbsp;