’22 Rankings/Defensive Stock-Risers: DB’s & LB’s

This piece will highlight previously ranked prospects who have raised their stock even further this spring. Whether through further film study or a great spring season, these prospects continue to impress. [caption id="attachment_123280" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-123280" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4464.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Photo: Zaire Dean Chubb Vision[/caption] <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>DB’s </strong></em></p> [player_tooltip player_id="27619" first="Jamir" last="Reyes"] | 6’1, 180lbs | Imhotep Charter [player_tooltip player_id="69461" first="Geo" last="Fabian"] | 6’1, 160lbs | Northeast Soon-to-be senior defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id="69461" first="Geo" last="Fabian"] (28) and [player_tooltip player_id="27619" first="Jamir" last="Reyes"] (42) both solidified themselves as top-tier cornerbacks after their stellar Spring season. Northeast and Imhotep Charter boasted incredible defensive units this past spring, thanks in large part to each of these DB’s efforts. We’ve spoken highly of each and are glad to see recruitment heat up for the PPL’s top covermen. Speaking of which, as of last month, Reyes has committed to Army West Point where he hopes to continue his football career. https://twitter.com/_mir5_/status/1395211297764032520?s=20 As for our 4th-ranked ’22 DB, Fabian is currently holding offers from FCS-level schools as well as recently receiving offers from Old Dominion, Marshall, and Temple. These two held it down for the PPL. [player_tooltip player_id="27582" first="Devin" last="Barren"] | 6’0, 180lbs | Pittsburgh Central Catholic Fabian and Reyes saw a boost in their stock, however, no defensive back on this list has had a hotter spring than our 39th ranked junior [player_tooltip player_id="27582" first="Devin" last="Barren"]. Barren has been spectacular throughout his 7v7 campaign. The Evolve 7v7 program has done a terrific job showcasing talent and has done the same with Barren. He’s displayed the ability to be more than a defensive back which is only going to help the Central Catholic junior when recruits come knocking. Barren has been a hot prospect in the DII world, as he has begun stacking up offers from the likes of Bluefield State and Livingston College. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-158479" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/E2GB8CHXMAkfv7W-crop-1291x848-1623806342-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> [player_tooltip player_id="95849" first="Alex" last="Tecza"] | 6’1, 190lbs | Mt. Lebanon [player_tooltip player_id="95849" first="Alex" last="Tecza"] out of Mount Lebanon has catapulted himself into the top 70 of our rankings primarily because of how heavily he is being recruited by DI programs. Tecza has put together an impressive football and lacrosse career and the fruits of his labor are beginning to come forth. We are excited to see how much further Tecza can boost his stock this coming season as well as where he plans to play college ball in the future. As of now, the top ten ’22 defensive back still has plenty to work on and plenty to prove. [player_tooltip player_id="69460" first="Kolin" last="Dinkins"] | 6’2, 180lbs | North Allegheny [player_tooltip player_id="69460" first="Kolin" last="Dinkins"] is now a top 100 prospect in his class. No pressure! This is more of a projection as to where we think his ceiling could be. We are expecting a big senior season out of the RB/DB out of North Allegheny. Recruitment has been slow for Dinkins, we don’t expect that to be the case this time next summer. Dinkins currently holds an offer from Robert Morris. This coming senior season will determine his career trajectory. We expect it to continue rising! <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>LB’s </em></strong></p> [player_tooltip player_id="27696" first="Nico" last="Pate"] | 6’1, 205lbs | Peters Township [player_tooltip player_id="27696" first="Nico" last="Pate"] has seen his stock rise this update, as he is now regarded as a top 50 overall prospect on our updated ’22 rankings. Recruitment hasn’t necessarily been the reason for the rise, further film study showed we may have had Pate too low on our previous rankings. The Peters Township linebacker recently held an unofficial visit with Akron that apparently went well. https://twitter.com/nico_pate/status/1403785361373999112?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="27578" first="Jeremiah" last="Hasley"] | 6’3, 225lbs | Pine-Richland Pine-Richland players are plastered all over this site, as it should be. [player_tooltip player_id="27578" first="Jeremiah" last="Hasley"] is yet another Ram who, much like Gochis, has seen his stock rise. Numerous offers have come Hasley’s way as he may have had the hottest Spring of anyone on this list.  Eleven total offers dropping for Hasley since the beginning of March! Our 83rd spot may still be too low for this kid who could solidify himself as a top-five linebacker in his class after his senior season. Right now, he’ll have to settle for top ten. [player_tooltip player_id="95283" first="Johnny" last="Pergine"] | 5’11, 215lbs | Archbishop Wood One of my favorite players to watch. No way the 2020 PCL Defensive Player of the Year sits outside the top 140 players in his class. Even now, slated at 137, his ranking is modest and is definitely a floor rather than a ceiling for Pergine. Recruiting has been slow. I have no doubt in my mind that is going to change sooner rather than later. Further exposure is what Pergine needs and we hope to deliver that. This kid is special.