Ottawa-Kent Conferences: Top Defensive Backs

This is my sixth edition in which I breakdown the best players at each position group in the Ottawa-Kent Conferences. So far I’ve scouted the best <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/07/ottawa-kent-conferences-top-quarterbacks/">quarterbacks</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/07/ottawa-kent-conferences-top-running-backs/">running backs</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/07/ottawa-kent-conferences-top-wide-receivers-part-i/">wide receivers</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/08/ottawa-kent-conferences-top-athletes/">athletes</a>, and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/08/ottawa-kent-conferences-top-linebackers/">linebackers</a>. Today, I’m breaking down the best defensive backs in the OK. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="29598" first="Tyreese" last="Oakes"], Muskegon 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9646128/5da5daca5b3d130c10188a24" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Tyreese is excellent in stopping the run and closes to the ball with exceptional speed. He meets balls carriers in the backfield or at the line of scrimmage with consistency. He’s a heavy hitter who has the pop to separate the ball and wraps up efficiently. He tracks the ball well in zone coverage and can run step-for-step with receivers in man. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="29605" first="Julius" last="Sims"], Muskegon 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12584814/5da0c42a6e81500f1c7d7984" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Julius is a physically gifted defensive back/linebacker who hits with force. Julius tracks the ball well out of the backfield and regularly disrupts screen plays behind the line of scrimmage. He flies to the ball in coverage and has a habbit of seperating the ball from the receiver. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="29653" first="Mason" last="Breit"], Byron Center 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9879317/5dd6bfb623481b0cbcfa43bc" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Mason is a great athlete who impacts the game on offense, defense and special teams. Mason is excellent at anticipating the ball and has a natural ability to jump underthrown routes, leading to turnovers. Mason's field vision translates to stopping the run where he's a fundamentally sound tackler. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="29968" first="Lucas" last="Huttinga"], Unity Christian 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8283220/5e2e00f00660c10b84331048" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Lucas is a lanky defensive back who uses his frame effectively to defend against the pass. He has some of the best hands I've scouted amongst defensive backs from the Ottawa Kent Conferences. Lucas can play both man and zone defense effectively and presents a threat to quarterbacks when thrown his way. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="29974" first="Nathan" last="Elders"], Grandville 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9881374/5dbf57ec38638b0e64e77a39" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Nathan has a great first-step when lined up at safety and closes to the ball with good speed. He's a hard hitter who forced his fair-share of fumbles as a junior and does a great job of knocking receivers off routes close to the line of scrimmage. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="29975" first="Aiden" last="Stadel"], East Grand Rapids 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9731098/5ddedc162aa6b005ecf1fa2b" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Aiden is a great two-way player whose ball skills are apparent as both a wideout and a defensive back. Aiden has good leap on his verticle and high points the ball well in jump-ball situations. Against the run, Aiden makes up ground quickly and often is the first one to the ball at the point of attack. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="30009" first="Jordan" last="Silvis"], Allendale 2021"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8319251/5dc06a95a0226b0d702b09b2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Jordan is great at closing to the ball with speed and is a key asset because of this in blitz packages. He has the quickness to beat lineman and tight ends of the line of scrimmage and is disruptive when he gets in the backfield. Jordan also has a knack for shedding blocks and finding the ball carrier when defending the run. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="30137" first="Nolan" last="Ziegler"], Catholic Central 2022"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11204803/5de6e4f3386e580fa0f677af" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Nolan is an exceptional athlete who is already gaining interest from high-end Power Five programs. Nolan is a constant presence in the backfield who hits with consistent aggression. He is a threat to force a turnover when he comes in contact with the ball carrier when defending the run and is as dangerous when throwing near his side of the field. <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="30158" first="Myles" last="Walton"], Muskegon 2022"</h5> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10486101/5da8786d0c53540cb47ff798" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Myles has a natural ability to read the eyes of the quarterback and uses this skill tremendously when defending the pass. Myles is a lockdown defender in man coverage and has the speed to go step-for-step with those he's lined up against. Myles should continue to develop physically before he graduates.