Hidden Gems: #TN2022 Defensive Backs
One of the more interesting position groups we have in-state for the 2022 class, the collection of defensive backs here are not only talented but have the upside to star on the next level but have yet to see those…
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Continue ReadingOne of the more interesting position groups we have in-state for the 2022 class, the collection of defensive backs here are not only talented but have the upside to star on the next level but have yet to see those offers come through.
Here are ten under the radar defensive back talents that college coaches should know about and get involved with as soon as they can.
Defensive Backs – 2022
1. Isaiah Lang Isaiah Lang 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB David Crockett | 2022 State TN (6’3 180) – David Crockett HS
– Lang is a prospect that provides tons of physical traits that translate very well to the next level but he has yet to receive his 1st college offer. The Pioneers star defensive back is poised for a breakout senior year that should put himself on the college map, if it doesn’t already happen prior to the season. Lang is a long and rangy guy that can play a variety of roles within the secondary. He shows traits to stay outside at cover corner but he definitely has the size and athleticism to move back at safety and possibly become a dominant player. Lang is also a big time competitor, so he always plays with a high octane motor. This is a college talent that just hasn’t been found yet but soon he will.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11409670/5fb16fd55b3cbc0bf04d9c5a
2. River Katina River Katina 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Independence | 2022 State TN (6’2 185) – Independence HS
– As we have gotten deeper into the 2022 recruiting cycle, it is very surprising that Katina has yet to receive an offer as this guy has talent and upside for more growth. The Eagles rising senior has all the physical traits you want in a college prospect and defender. His height, length, physical nature and high football IQ allows Katina to play multiple roles within the secondary, even possibly playing cover corner in college. His game does translate best to safety but Katina is a team 1st guy that will do whatever is asked of him and he will do so at a high level. I fully expect multiple offers to come his way very soon, especially if he can hit the college camp scene this summer.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9372405/5fb5704c6899630bc0df300f
3. JaQuez Bradley JaQuez Bradley 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Whitehaven | 2022 State TN (6’2 185) – Whitehaven HS
– One of the more underrated talents we have in-state is Bradley but he has yet to break through with offers or become that household name that his talents warrant. A big, long and athletic defender, Bradley is a highly talented young man that had to miss his junior year due to circumstances out of his control, so you can bet he is ready to hit the field and show everybody what he is all about. The Tigers star defensive back presents a lot of tools that screams big potential on the next level. Bradley can run and cover and use his size to engulf receivers while bringing that physicality to the field that makes him a feared guy in the secondary. Watch out for this guy going forward as I fully expect offers to come sooner than later.
Sophomore Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11476478/5de024d3f55fe20c60d7face
4. Devin Storey Devin Storey 5'10" | 180 lbs | DB Cane Ridge | 2022 State TN (5’9 178) – Cane Ridge HS
– Competitive, feisty and football smart. That’s how you would describe Storey when evaluating his film or watching him perform in person. The Ravens versatile defensive back is headed into final season at Cane Ridge as “the guy” in the secondary after playing alongside several other college level teammates over the past couple of seasons. Storey may be a tad undersized but he plays bigger and he never backs down from competition. He has tremendous instincts and a knack for always being around the ball. Storey could play a variety of roles in the secondary but his biggest upside could sit at nickel back. I think college coaches will see that upside soon enough and eventually come through with offers.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13111753/5fb9b0cca022d80b24c3bf3a
5. Marcus Lee Marcus Lee 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Collierville | 2022 State TN (6’0 172) – Collierville HS
– A track guy in the spring months, Lee is a talented defensive back that is just scratching the surface of his full capabilities. The Dragons stud defender is well built physically and has the versatility to play a variety of roles in the secondary. Lee mans the corner position and shows the ability to stay there in college. Just recently at the #NCEC Combine in Nashville, Lee clocked a 4.53 40 while displaying good coverage skills during 1 on 1 competition and taking to coaching very well. Lee is also a high character young man that provides a lot of value to the football team and locker room. Those offers will come soon enough as more college coaches evaluate his film and talents.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10701773/5f6ed4cf57980e053c898caf
6. Syncere Safeeullah (6’2 175) – Hillsboro HS
– The common theme amongst all the defensive backs seem to be height, length and potential and Safeeullah is another one of those things that provides those traits and then some. The Nashville native is coming off a junior season where he had some struggles but gained tons of experience and now through the early offseason, you can see a massive change coming for this 6’2 long and athletic defensive back. Safeeullah has really started to come into his own this winter showing his recovery speed and ability to lock down receivers playing on the outside. It may take some time to see the offers come his way as coaches need to further evaluate his abilities but the upside is there and Safeeullah sports the potential you want in your secondary.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13583988/5fa4a4dde97b9605580b4bab
7. Jackson Noble Jackson Noble 6'3" | 185 lbs | DB JP2 | 2022 State TN (6’3 188) – Pope John Paul
– This Nashville area defensive back is a true under the radar talent that has college size, length and athleticism that has yet to be found but soon that should change. Noble is a two way talent for his Knights team but translates to the next level best at safety and a high caliber one at that too. The 6’3 athlete shows on film great instincts and the ability to find the ball no matter where it is on the field. Noble has good closing speed and range that allows him to make plays sideline to sideline. He also has the size, length and tenacity to fight for the ball at its highest point. Noble may be sitting without offers right now but his talents warrant the intrigue and interest from collegiate coaching staffs.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7517191/5fb1ee73dfe29b0fd86ad3d4
8. Cam Robertson Cam Robertson 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Whitehaven | 2022 State TN (6’1 185) – Whitehaven HS
– Robertson is a highly intriguing talent that is a name many will have to follow this year as he is looking for a breakout season after having his junior year taken away from him. Due to world circumstances and decisions made by Shelby Co., Robertson and his Tigers team were missing in action in 2020, so you can bet he is primed and ready to show everything he has this coming Fall football season. Robertson is big along with sporting the length and natural athleticism to warrant college looks. His game fits well back at safety where he can roam the field, making plays on the ball while also being a stout defender against the run. If Robertson is able to hit the college camps, watch out as this is an offer worthy prospect.
Sophomore Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11316224/5ddc632a5eec630e185b72db
9. LaMarion Pierce LaMarion Pierce 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Marshall Co. | 2022 State TN (5’11 172) – Marshall Co. HS
– Pierce cracks this list as a guy that is budding with star potential and the talents to play on the college level but he has yet to see those college offers nor the interest his abilities deserve. One of the hardest workers you will find, Pierce is an athletic guy that can play outside at corner or fall back at safety and excel at a high level. He has a flexible lower body that tells you he could remain outside at cover corner in the college game. He also has a very strong vertical and the willingness to fight, so he will compete and go get the ball whenever it’s in the air. Pierce is also a high quality young man that loves the grind and the game of football. The offers will come, it just may take time before they arrive.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11293629/5fb774f26e8ba80b6cae61b0
10. DeMarkus Kee DeMarkus Kee 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB Peabody | 2022 TN (6’1 172) – Peabody HS
– A two sport prospect for the Golden Tide is Kee but his talents on the football field is something that not only excites me but should excite college coaching staffs as well. The West Tennessee product is a long and tall cover corner that has the upside and skill set to remain outside on an island in the college game. Kee shows flexible hips along with the recovery speed to stay at cornerback along with tons of room to not only grow with his game but his body as well. The Golden Tide rising senior has a big radius to swallow up receivers, so it’s hard for the opposition to break away from his shadow. Kee is a current hidden gem talent without offers that should be on the radar of many college recruiting boards.
Junior Film: https://www.hudl.com/profile/12084366/Demarkus-Kee/highlights
Five Others to Know: Caiden Hill Caiden Hill 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH ECS | 2022 State TN (5’11 173) – ECS, Isaac Knowles Isaac Knowles 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB DeKalb Co. | 2022 TN (6’2 188) – DeKalb Co., Justin Garcia (6’2 200) – Stewarts Creek, Taurus Fifer (6’0 173) – Whitehaven, Jayden Rhodes (6’0 163) – Pearl Cohn
ECS (TN) DB Caiden Hill Caiden Hill 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH ECS | 2022 State TN