Stock Risers: 2022 Defensive Back Update

Earlier this week, we released our 2022 class rankings update, adding over 35 new players to the rankings and rearranging based on offseason performance and as we’ve gotten to see players in person. A few defensive backs have been active on the camp scene and have seen their stock rise over the last few months. Here, we detail a few of those guys. <strong>10. [player_tooltip player_id="28643" first="Isaiah" last="Crowell"], (No. 1 DB) 6’ 180, East Forsythe (Previously 14th overall)</strong> We talk about "big-play receivers" but Crowell is a big-play corner. Whenever the ball gets close to Crowell, bad things usually happen for opposing offenses. He has a knack for creating turnovers, making big hits or picking up key pass breakups. His closing speed stands out and its clear he’s an all-around athlete. I like him as a corner, but he has some position versatility and his trait will make a college team very happy. <strong>24. [player_tooltip player_id="28649" first="Omari" last="Philyaw"], (No. 2 DB) 5’11 180, Myers Park (Previously 26)</strong> Don’t be fooled by the size, Philyaw is a player. A 2-way player with tremendous athleticism, Philyaw has attracted the attention of several colleges, including Charlotte and Coastal Carolina, among others. This season, he’ll be transitioning to a more full-time role defensively and will have the opportunity to move up even more in the rankings. <strong>33. [player_tooltip player_id="28666" first="Elijah" last="Wilson"], (No, 3 DB) 6’1 180, Mooresville (Previously 36)</strong> Wilson is our top-ranked safety as he’s athletic, physical and smart. Mooresivlle leaves him in single-high coverage a great deal of the time, due to the trust they have in him to make the right play. He impresses me in his open-field tackling and his ability to read the field and make the right decision in zone coverage. Expect a big year from Wilson, who shouldn’t be under the radar anymore in a few months. <strong>56. [player_tooltip player_id="106723" first="Jamier" last="Moten"], (No. 4 DB) 5’9 155, Ardrey Kell (Previously Unranked)</strong> If Moten were 6’0, 180, he’d be a top 20 prospect. That being said, Moten is far more physical than his size would suggest and that allows him to excel in the running game and against bigger receivers. He succeeds in man coverage and can operate without much help for large parts of the game. We’re looking for him to bulk up a bit and he has time to do that at this point in his career. He’s on our radar for a breakout season this year. <strong>66. [player_tooltip player_id="28675" first="Dewayne" last="Gissendanner"], (No. 5 DB), 5’11 170, Providence (Previously Unranked)</strong> Gissendanner is a technically-sound corner that can hold his own in both man and zone coverage. He plays in a conference with a plethora of good receivers and yet he put up great numbers as a sophomore. This season, we’re expecting him to have a true breakout year and start to make a name for himself on the recruiting trail.