2021 Defensive Back Breakdown

Prep Redzone Oklahoma has updated our 2021 Prospect Rankings for the final time. The list now stands at 150 players, ranging from the top tier D1 prospects, all the way down to small college recruits. You can check out the full rankings <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2021-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RIGHT HERE. </a></strong>Today we will be focusing on 5 defensive backs who have had great careers and will be moving on to the next level. The DB class may not have the depth that some of the other positions in the 2021 class, but it is still full of prospects who will be high-level contributors at the next level.  Stay tuned to Prep Redzone Oklahoma over the next few days as we close out our evaluations for the class of 2021! [player_tooltip player_id="63304" first="Diego" last="Hassell"] <strong>- Edmond North (#91 Overall)</strong> Our first safety, [player_tooltip player_id="63304" first="Diego" last="Hassell"], is a defensive back that has been a hot name in the Oklahoma recruiting circuit in the last six months. Hassell came into 2020 with zero scholarship offers. Fast forward to now and Diego has 30 offers from 11 states thanks to a stellar senior season. He has good size for a safety at 6'1" and has great athleticism that will serve him well at the next level. Diego has recently signed to play at Aurora University in Illinois. [player_tooltip player_id="38573" first="Gage" last="Laney"] <strong>- Owasso (#58 Overall)</strong> The next DB on this list is one who has been one of the biggest ball hawks in the state over the course of his career and was a no-doubter for our 2020 Prep Redzone Oklahoma All-State 1st Team Defense. Over the course of his career, Laney recorded 19 interceptions, including a ridiculous 11 in 2020. It seems like every Friday night this season I'd hear that Laney had another multi-interception night and often times in the biggest of situations for the Rams. Laney is signed to play at UCO for the next 4 seasons where we're sure he will continue to make game-changing plays in the secondary. [player_tooltip player_id="38497" first="Donovan" last="Stephens"]<strong> - Del City (#14 Overall)</strong> Whether you want to debate what position Donovan is, either at linebacker or safety, one thing is for certain, he will be a dangerous and versatile weapon on defense at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="38497" first="Donovan" last="Stephens"] has been one of the most impressive defenders in the state over the last couple of years including in 2020 regardless of the down year for Del City. He has the size, strength, instincts, and explosiveness of a true off-ball linebacker while at the same time having the athleticism, speed, and range to not only hunt down ball carriers sideline to sideline but also to lock down receivers in pass coverage. He is a prospect with an exciting ceiling and will be one to watch for on Saturdays as he will be playing for Oklahoma State here pretty soon. [player_tooltip player_id="38492" first="Jordan" last="Mukes"] <strong>- Choctaw (#4 Overall)</strong> Another top tier prospect, [player_tooltip player_id="38492" first="Jordan" last="Mukes"], had a meteoric rise in the recruiting world during his Junior season in 2019, which earned him a ton of offers, including the one he would commit to last spring in the University of Oklahoma. He played all over the secondary for Choctaw in 2020 and was one of the leaders of their defense that helped push them to an appearance in the state championship where they came just short against Bixby. Mukes has played mostly DB at the high school level but has the size and ability to bump inside to play some outside linebacker if needed, which is great for his potential ceiling. [player_tooltip player_id="38486" first="Kendal" last="Daniels"] <strong>- Beggs(#1 Overall)</strong> Our last defensive back on this list is not only the best of the position group, but is also the best overall player in the class, and is also one of the highest-rated recruits to come out of Oklahoma in the last 5 years. Since 2016, only 4 DBs and 5 total players in the state have received higher grades than him. Some of the DBs above him include Big Ten starting safeties Daxton Hill from the class of 2019 who is at Michigan, and Josh Proctor from the class of 2018, who is at Ohio State. Daniels has a chance to be a special player at the next level with his unique combination of size, speed, ball skills, and pure athleticism. Texas A&amp;M may have snagged themselves one of the best prospects to ever come out of Oklahoma.