2021 Rankings Newcomers: Defensive Backs

With the release of the final 2021 Player Rankings, we’ve launched a series of evaluations on the newcomers to the rankings based on position. We added over 50 players to the most recent update highlighting players that popped during the 2020 season and have seen their recruiting on the rise. Here’s an in-depth look at the new DB’s to the rankings. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93166" first="Cayden" last="Camacho"], 6’2” 175 lbs., Basha</strong> Camacho was named the 6A Defensive Player of the Year following a huge statistical year where he racked up 105 total tackles and 13 PBU’s. For a safety, he has great length at 6’2” 185 lbs. with good range and plus ball skills. In coverage, he shows a good ability to read the QB’s eyes to anticipate and put himself in position to make a play. In run support, he is quick to make his reads and fill his gap. He closes space quickly and is a strong open field tackler with the ability to deliver strong contact. Committed to play at D2 Sioux Falls last week over several other D2 and D3 offers. <a href="http://[player_tooltip player_id=">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11252076/Cayden-Camacho</a> https://twitter.com/CamchoCayden/status/1349380094721101834 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93169" first="Dylan" last="Cook"], 6’2” 205 lbs., Ironwood Ridge</strong> A smart and heady football player that has good instincts and ability to diagnose plays quickly. He does a great job reading his keys and reacting to his assignment in run support and in coverage. Love his ability to recognize formations and adjust quickly putting the defense in the correct coverage. He has a strong and athletic frame at 6’2” 205 lbs. He’s strong at the contact point both when fighting off blocks and making a tackle. Shows plus ball skills and timing, good ability to track the ball in flight and make aggressive plays on the ball without hesitation or wasted movement. Committed to Morehead State in November over offers from South Dakota School of Mines and Northern State. https://twitter.com/Dylancook43/status/1331393079291432961 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93174" first="Jaden" last="Crockett"], 6’0” 165 lbs., Mountain Pointe</strong> An early signee to South Dakota State that is an explosive playmaker all over the field but especially in the secondary. He’s a versatile athlete with speed, agility, and ball skills. Shows plus change of direction and acceleration out his breaks and a smooth/efficient transition out of his backpedal. Has a great ability to cover the field sideline to sideline with his range and closing speed with the ball in the air. Plays every snap fast, physical, and aggressive with an attitude that is always attacking and competing. Shows natural instincts and game awareness to put himself in position to make plays. Possesses good upside and potential at the college level. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9252903/5f6c92e85ca94f0b0051e46e">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9252903/5f6c92e85ca94f0b0051e46e</a> https://twitter.com/JadenCrockett/status/1339241645556916224 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93173" first="Joseph" last="MacDonald"], 5’10” 185 lbs., O’Connor</strong> The Butler commit is a strong cover corner that is effective in both press man and off coverage. Shows great fluidity in his hips and transition out of his backpedal with good short area quickness and burst. Love his ability to stick to the WR’s hip and run stride for stride in both short and deep coverage. Displays good footwork and technique in coverage with little wasted movement. Shows strong ball skills with his ability to track, adjust, and time out his jumps to make a play on the ball at the high point. Possesses great tools and foundation to build on at the college level. Had a host of D2 and FCS offers before committing to Butlers earlier this month. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10595898/5fceac0af31dce0be8a2add1">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10595898/5fceac0af31dce0be8a2add1</a> https://twitter.com/JMacFootball/status/1346508689952235522 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93170" first="Jimmy" last="Pouba"], 6’0” 190 lbs., Mesa</strong> A transfer in from Illinois, Pouba was a huge playmaker in the Mesa secondary. He’s a strong all-around athlete with good speed, agility, and change of direction. He plays the center field safety position well with his range and ability to read the QB’s eyes to make plays on the ball. Displays natural ball skill, hands, and body control to adjust and reel in difficult interceptions. Shows good initial quickness and burst out his break with good closing speed in coverage and in run support. In run support, he comes downhill hard and with purpose to fill his lane where he’s a physical and reliable 1on1 tackler. Still uncommitted, he has picked up offers from Valparaiso, Olivet Nazarene, Roosevelt, and Augustana. &nbsp;