Missouri 2023 Rankings Update: Defensive backs

The Missouri Class of 2023 football prospect rankings have been updated and there is plenty of movement with prospects in the rankings. Today we are going to take a look at some of the top defensive backs in the Show-Me State in the class. <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://prepredzone.com/missouri/rankings/2023-rankings/"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><em><strong>Click here to view the 2023 Rankings!</strong></em></span></a></p> There are 20 defensive backs in the Class of 2023 rankings and 31 defensive backs overall including the prospects on the watch list. Today we are taking a look at the top five. (NOTE: For more information on each of the prospects, including links to HUDL highlights, please click on the player's names to check out their prospect pages.) <strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id="37662" first="Christian" last="Gray"], De Smet</strong> Gray is the No. 4 overall prospect in the updated Missouri Class of 2023 rankings. A 6-0, 175-pound cornerback, Gray blew up in the offseason with outstanding performances at several camps, including at Ohio State where he recorded 40-yard dash times of 4.40 and 4.42 seconds. His combination of size, coverage skills and elite speed led to early scholarship offers from Ohio State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Florida among others. <strong>2. Marvin Burks Jr., Cardinal Ritter</strong> A 6-2, 190-pounder, Burks is the No. 9 overall prospect in the updated Class of 2023 rankings. He has outstanding size for either the safety or cornerback position and has the ability to cover ground and make plays all over the field. He recorded 38 tackles and two interceptions in seven games during his sophomore season. Burks has received early scholarship offers from Florida, Missouri, Arkansas and Vanderbilt among others. <strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id="101688" first="Austin" last="Wilkerson"], Lamar</strong> Wilkerson, a 6-0, 190-pounder, checks in as the No. 40 overall prospect in the junior class after helping Lamar win the Missouri Class 2 championship last season. Wilkerson is a hard-hitting and playmaking safety who also contributes on the offensive side of the ball at running back. He had two interceptions and blocked a kick in Lamar's 6-3 win over St. Pius X (Kansas City) in the title game. <strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id="103392" first="Nick" last="Bova"], Troy Buchanan</strong> The No. 49 overall prospect in the updated Missouri 2023 rankings, Bova is a versatile 6-1, 185-pounder who made an impact on both sides of the ball last season as a sophomore. He recorded 98 tackles and an interception from his safety spot on defense and racked up 814 total yards (700 rushing, 114 receiving) and four touchdowns offensively as a running back. Troy only won three games a year ago, but the Trojans look like they could be one of the St. Louis area's most improved programs this fall behind players like edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id="37663" first="Jahkai" last="Lang"], quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="37718" first="Charos" last="Sutton"] and Bova. Lang, Sutton and Bova are all juniors, which bodes well for Troy's future. <strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id="101696" first="Caleb" last="Donnell"], Smithville</strong> A 5-11, 180-pounder, Donnell is the No. 54 overall prospect in the 2023 rankings. He was a second-team all-state selection as a defensive back and also contributed at running back as a sophomore. Smithville won 10 games and advanced to the Class 4 semifinals last season and could be even better this fall with the strength of the players returning. <strong>Next up:</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103443" first="Joel" last="Beshore"], Lamar</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103366" first="Konner" last="Vaughn"], Osage</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101680" first="Will" last="Carlton"], Marionville</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="181740" first="Devin" last="Winn"], Liberty (KC)</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="177943" first="DeAndre" last="Beasley"], Lee's Summit North</strong> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>2023 Rankings Update Positional Breakdowns</strong></span></p> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2023-rankings-update-quarterbacks/">Quarterbacks</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2023-rankings-update-running-backs/">Running backs</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2023-rankings-update-wide-receivers/">Wide receivers</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2023-rankings-update-tight-ends/">Tight ends</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2023-rankings-update-offensive-line/">Offensive line</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2023-rankings-update-defensive-line/">Defensive line</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2023-rankings-update-linebackers/">Linebackers</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2023-rankings-update-defensive-backs/">Defensive backs</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/missouri-2023-rankings-update-athletes/">Athletes</a> <em><strong>You can follow Nate Latsch on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/natelatsch">@natelatsch</a>.</strong></em> &nbsp;