2021 Best Available: Defensive Backs

<em>The second and final signing period is quickly approaching next month and prospects are nearing the end of their recruiting process or possibly just beginning it. Here is a in-depth list of some of the top defensive backs available across the region in the 2021 class. </em> &nbsp; <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87187" first="Hayden" last="McDonald"] 5’10" 170 Ibs., O’Dea HS</strong></em> [caption id="attachment_91894" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-91894" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-04-at-10.11.15-AM-300x260.png" alt="" width="300" height="260" /> Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="87187" first="Hayden" last="McDonald"] Hudl[/caption]Although already committed to Columbia University, McDonald remains unsigned and has decided to wait until the second and final signing day to seal the deal. The O’Dea product has good length for the position and displays fantastic natural ball skills and a strong understanding of zone responsibilities and good overall field awareness at the third level from both the outside and nickel corner position.  A natural smooth back-pedaler that does not take false steps and has a natural transition when flipping his hips, he also breaks well to ball carriers and takes good angles in space to ball carriers with outside leverage while playing with good physicality while in man coverage. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10732315/5df127640428ab054caccbdd">Junior Season Film</a></strong></em> &nbsp; <em><strong>Tre Holman 6’0" 190 Ibs., Kennedy Catholic HS</strong></em> [caption id="attachment_91895" align="alignright" width="217"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-91895" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-04-at-10.12.34-AM-217x300.png" alt="" width="217" height="300" /> Photo: Tre Holman Twitter[/caption] During his Junior season, Holman displayed his versatility at both the cornerback position and on special teams while playing for one of the top teams in the state that is loaded with top tier talent. A smooth player that is still raw and developing technically, he played mostly nickel corner and has great closing and long speed and is a high motor kid that can also play the run while blitzing off the edge and does a good job at being the force player in space and squeezing down against the run. Although still developing, Holman has the tools and athleticism to develop into a really solid player at the next level and should start to see some offers roll in over the next month before the final signing day. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9956380/5de0c0b45ef6550ea486b5e9">Junior Season Film</a></strong></em> &nbsp; &nbsp; <b><i>Stuart DeMerit 6’0" 185 Ibs., Mount Si HS</i></b> [caption id="attachment_91896" align="alignleft" width="216"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-91896" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/Screen-Shot-2021-01-04-at-10.11.47-AM-216x300.png" alt="" width="216" height="300" /> Photo: Courtesy of Everrett Harold[/caption] DeMerit is an average sized corner that plays a lot bigger than he is with excellent technique and big play ability. He has a strong understanding of the game and his responsibilities in off-man and zone coverages. In coverage, he displays fluid hips in transition and when breaking to ball carriers, along with possessing outstanding ball location skills from various different angles with good high point/return ability. Showing smooth lateral movement skills without giving up much ground and natural instincts, he should start to see some FCS PWO or DII-DIII offers and roster spot offers start to roll in as we approach the second and final signing day and roll into the Spring. <em><strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9632452/5df871e34deb8d13a8d43d0a">Junior Season Film</a></strong></em>