2021 FBS Sleepers- Defense

Every class has its stars -- the "can’t miss" prospects fielding calls from every top school in the area -- but for most college football teams, recruiting is about more than just landing the consensus top players. It also involves identifying a few sleepers that might not rack up the offers, but go on to become stars for major college programs. Recently, players like Larry Rountree have gone from a handful of offers to an All-Conference campaign in just a few years. Here, we’ll project a few potential future FBS stars from the 2021 class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28513" first="Tyrell" last="Davis"], 6’1 180, Hickory Ridge, CB/S</strong> Davis is a long, aggressive defensive back with a knack for making big plays against both the run and pass. He’s played all over the secondary and already has several Group of Five offers to his name. Perhaps the only thing holding him back from his first Power Five offer is his fringe speed. Should he drop his 40 time just a bit, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the major college programs in the area jump in with late offers. Colleges prize versatility and Davis possesses major college size and playmaking ability. When all is said and done, don’t be surprised to see him sign with a Power Five team. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28516" first="Marcus" last="Gatling"], 5’11 200, Havelock, LB</strong> Another versatile defender, Gatling has film that rivals that of many of the top players in the state. A rangy linebacker, Gatling has both the lateral quickness and downhill burst to wreak havoc against the run. His violent playing style led to five forced turnovers a year ago, mostly from forced fumbles. Gatling has just three offers at the moment, but is hearing from several FBS schools and if he puts together a strong senior campaign, I fully expect him to sign with a school at that level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28507" first="Bryson" last="Parker"], 5’10 180, Weddington, CB</strong> Parker is a technician in the truest sense of the word. He’s not going to jump of the page with gaudy weight room or testing numbers, but he can guard any receiver in the state and look calm and composed while doing it. His coverage skills and ability to play the run are both near the top of the class and several college coaches have commented on his charming personality. Whatever school lands Parker is going to get one of the top cover corners in the state. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28508" first="Emerson" last="Martin"], 6’5 245, Riverside, DL</strong> Our first defensive lineman on our list plays both defensive end and defensive tackle for Riverside High School in the Durham area. Martin projects as a 3-4 defensive end or a strongside 4-3 defensive end in some systems. He has an excellent first step and tracks opposing ball carriers well with a combination of balance and length. He’s received offers from a few Group of Five schools including Charlotte and Akron, but his size-speed combination alone should attract other suitors. As he continues to develop, he could turn into a steal for a bigger program later in the recruiting cycle. &nbsp;