Our updated 2022 and 2023 rankings have arrived! With that, loads of new content will be dropping on our site highlighting multiple new prospects who have landed themselves on our rankings. Find stock-risers, newcomers, and in-depth scouting reports all on our site!
In this piece, we will take a look at the top ten newcomers in our 2023 defensive back group. These ten prospects have all debuted at spots ranging from 12-170. Some are names we’ve covered in the past, some are relatively new to the site. The defensive back pool in PA is deep.
[player_tooltip player_id="139966" first="Lamont" last="Payne"] | 6’1 175 | Chartiers Valley | R/12
The situation with [player_tooltip player_id="139966" first="Lamont" last="Payne"] is pretty rare. A newcomer who reached all the way into the top 15 of his class. We wish we could have been the first to put Payne’s name on the map. We weren’t but nonetheless , Payne sees a great initial ranking at 12! After our initial 2023 rankings early in February, Payne had just one offer from Kent State. That alone should have put him on our radar. He has since garnered offers from big-time programs such as West Virginia University, Pitt, Rutgers, and Penn State. Payne flaunts the ideal frame of a top defensive back. His game provides more than just elite cornerback play, as Payne was close to an ATH designation by us. The sky is the limit for this kid.
[player_tooltip player_id="145883" first="Chase" last="Arrington"] | 5’10 175 | North Catholic | R/50
Another newcomer inside the top 50 of his class. [player_tooltip player_id="145883" first="Chase" last="Arrington"]’s continued to come up during my 7v7/camp coverage all throughout the spring. One look at his Hudl, as well as his stellar 7v7 highlights, you can tell this ranking is more than warranted. The North Catholic DB contributed to Gateway at running back as well. What’s really exciting is just how well he tests on the track, as well as how well he’s played for Evolve this Spring. We are expecting Arrington to hold things down in his new home at North Catholic.
[player_tooltip player_id="140970" first="Jaleel" last="Davis-Shabazz"] | 6’0, 185 | Archbishop Wood | R/60
Davis-Shabazz just missed the top 50. He’s one of the many Bishop McDevitt prospects who transferred to Archbishop Wood after his school folded. This kid’s rise onto our rankings was heavily attributable to further film study on all of Bishop McDevitt’s former prospects. The myriad of transfers from BM helped us realize what we were missing from our defensive back group. We like Jaleel’s aggressiveness in the open field, he translates to safety well. Excited to see how he progresses at Wood!
[player_tooltip player_id="140947" first="Elijah" last="Beaty"] | 6’0, 160 | Bonner-Prendie | R/62
We have written about [player_tooltip player_id="140947" first="Elijah" last="Beaty"] in numerous articles on the site. We promised a spot on the rankings based on his event play and overall development, and we delivered. 62 is where Beaty lands. We will have a close eye on how his game translates to the field.
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Bobbie Boyd Jr. | 5’7, 165 | McKeesport | R/70
Boyd Jr. is the last of five new defensive backs who debut in the top 100. It’s 70 for Boyd, who I had the pleasure of watching in person earlier this year. His pass coverage was legit, which earned him a spot on our Watchlist. I saw an even better player when turning on the tape. A physical player who brings a ton of energy, Boyd is a tad bit undersized but that shouldn’t stop the offers from coming in sooner rather than later.
[player_tooltip player_id="140954" first="Cruce" last="Brookins"] | 6’1 175 | Steel Valley | R/105
Much like Beaty, [player_tooltip player_id="140954" first="Cruce" last="Brookins"] is another prospect who amassed a ton of hype during his spring/7v7 season. I also saw Cruce in person, further evaluation will be disclosed in a future article. Cruce has had an incredible stretch of dominant corner play this spring. A further boost into the top 50 could be in his future, so long as he shows the same dominance with pads on. I fully expect it!
[caption id="attachment_165204" align="aligncenter" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/IMG_5647-crop-994x653-1625106571.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-165204" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/IMG_5647-crop-994x653-1625106571-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> Photo: James Thomas 20/20 Productions[/caption]
[player_tooltip player_id="140960" first="Colin" last="Ferrell"] | 5’10 180 | Chester | R/108
[player_tooltip player_id="140960" first="Colin" last="Ferrell"] is a favorite of mine. This kid has what it takes to play either inside or outside linebacker, where he can flash his adept ability to play passing lanes and tackle. Safety is also an option, where he can show off ball skills and great awareness. His size holds him back from a definitive position, his production says who cares, play him where ever you need him. He needs more exposure!
[player_tooltip player_id="160523" first="Raion" last="Strader"] | 6’0, 160 | Penn Hills | R/155
I was put on to Strader late in our rankings update, just a week before publishing our new 329. Then, I had the delight of seeing him in person this past weekend which was a surprise. I’m glad we were able to sneak Strader into the rankings late, his play at the camp really impressed me. Further breakdown will be included later on the site.
[player_tooltip player_id="140972" first="Khalil" last="Taylor"] | 5’9, 160 | Westinghouse | R/163
[player_tooltip player_id="140972" first="Khalil" last="Taylor"] lands at 163, a modest ranking for now. Once he begins his junior campaign, I expect a big leap in these rankings this time next year, as well as a boost in recruitment. His size is a question, it’s something we will look for this coming season.
[player_tooltip player_id="160489" first="Yasir" last="Williams"] | 5’6, 155 | Neumann-Goretti | R/172
[player_tooltip player_id="160489" first="Yasir" last="Williams"] caps off the top ten defensive back newcomers. Yasir, much like Taylor, is another undersized corner whose game projects well despite his slight frame. Williams provides reps at corner and at free safety for Neumann-Goretti, a program that knows a thing or two about developing defensive backs.
