Five 2022 DBs Rising This Spring

Traditionally known for its linebackers and defensive linemen, Mississippi is deep at defensive back this year. The upper part of the class consists of guys that every school in the country wants. Soon enough, a lot of those schools will continue their hunt into Mississippi and come across some studs that have been popping up on the radar. Today, we will be highlighting five defensive backs who have been rising as the spring has started. <strong>Tylor Latham</strong> | Madison Ridgeland Academy | At 5’10" 175, Tylor Latham is another versatile weapon on offense and defense for MRA. Latham plays well as a boundary corner and uses his quick twitch and leaping ability to make plays. Latham has smooth hips and can change direction well, allowing for him to break on routes with ease. In addition, Latham has good eyes and can read and react to plays quickly in order to be in the right position. He has good ball skills and shows them off when he plays receiver and running back on offense. This is a guy that schools will be on this summer and throughout his senior season. He currently lists one offer from Navy. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12567358/5fde8a242351801a80788eab’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12567358/5fde8a242351801a80788eab" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104554" first="Jontavis" last="Cunningham"]</strong> | East Webster | Another two way athlete, [player_tooltip player_id="104554" first="Jontavis" last="Cunningham"] is built like a true Division 1 corner at 6’0" 195. Using his length and timing, Cunningham makes a lot of plays on the ball when it is in the air. He has good long speed and can take INTs to the house. His ball skills show on the offensive side of the ball where he has tons of production as an outside receiver. To add to his value, he can return punts and kicks for big gains. Cunningham is raw as a defensive back, but college coaches will love his speed, production and length. He currently lists offers from Holmes and Coahoma, but things look like they are just starting for the young DB. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11643342/5fc156ac90f03a08201fc4cc’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11643342/5fc156ac90f03a08201fc4cc" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> <strong>Zyonn Mayes</strong> | Biggersville | A basketball player and safety, Zyonn Mayes has the build that coaches loe at 6’2" 195. Mayes takes most of his snaps at free safety and does a good job of playing over top. His best attribute is his mental game. Mayes has a knack for being able to read the quarterback’s eyes and force him into mistakes. Free safeties typically get a knock for not being able to play in the box, but that is not the case for Mayes. He tackles well and is not afraid of contact. With continued improvements to his overall play speed, Mayes will be a great safety for somebody at the next level. He currently lists an offer from Holmes. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12982984/5f99f3795ef6b4176ceef860’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12982984/5f99f3795ef6b4176ceef860" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> <strong>Malcom Hartzog</strong> | Jefferson Davis | Malcom Hartzog is a corner who has the physicality to play safety. He is a do-it-all playmaker on offense at running back and wide receiver. As a defender, Hartzog plays well in both man and zone coverage and has the athleticism to stick with any receiver that comes to his side. He has good ball skills and is capable of making a lot of plays using his length. What stands out most is his willingness to come up and make a tackle. Hartzog transitions well and will come at a ball carrier with a full head of steam. This is the type of guy that will dominate in a camp setting and become a big time recruit. He currently lists offers from South Alabama, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11881984/5fd0557ab535220444d24775’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11881984/5fd0557ab535220444d24775" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> <strong>Kezerrian Wash</strong> | Newton | Kezerrian Wash is a long defensive back who produced at Newton last season. Wash has an uncanny ability to always be around the football. Using his length and aggression, he forces a lot of pass break ups and can even get a fumble every once in a while. Wash knows where the ball will be and he knows how to jar it out of a receivers hands. He has a good back pedal and solid transition as well. On the offensive side of the ball, Wash has value as a receiver and can make plays in the open field. Wash is a sleeper prospect with a ton of upside due to his length and ball skills. He lists offers from Abilene Chrisitian and Saginaw Valley State. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11642815/5fb2b01fa681a308dcda628d’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11642815/5fb2b01fa681a308dcda628d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a>