Top 2022 Gwinnett County Defenders To Know

Gwinnett County, right outside of Atlanta, is one of the most talent-rich areas across the country. Home to some of the top programs and top players across the state, it’s easy to notice the high-caliber players in the area. The county, one of the largest by population, produces high-caliber prospects on both offense and defense each year, and 2021 is no different. Here are some of the top 2022 defenders in Gwinnett County right now... &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33861" first="Travis" last="Hunter"] - Defensive Back - Collins Hill</strong> The No.1 player in the country, Hunter is having an excellent season on both sides of the ball as a senior. The Florida State commit might be the best receiver in the country, and there’s a chance he’s the best cornerback prospect as well. His natural athleticism, length, and overall ball skills have made him an ideal shutdown cornerback. He’s physical and knows how to tackle on the outside, but it’s his coverage skills that make him so special. When the ball is in the air, it’s his. As an elite cover cornerback, Hunter has made 16 tackles and two INTs. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33896" first="Jake" last="Pope"] - Defensive Back - Buford</strong> If you’re being recruited to play defensive back by Nick Saban and Alabama, you have to be one of the best in the country, and that’s exactly what Pope is. The athletic safety is a true playmaker who forced the game-winning fumble in last year’s state-title game. He hasn’t had a ton of opportunities to make plays this year as defenses have tried to stay away from him, but he’s still been active in the secondary, making a handful of tackles and one INT this year. He’s a sure tackler, has great instincts, and has reliable, strong hands as well. He catches the ball like a receiver, giving the Tide an athletic pass-catching playmaker in the back end. &nbsp; <strong>Asani Redwood - Defensive Line - Collins Hill</strong> One of out “breakout stars” from before the season, Redwood is a young senior who just learned the game a few years ago. He has great size off the edge at 6-foot-3 230-pounds with a lot of athleticism. He’s still new to the game, but he’s learning more and more very day and getting better each practice. He didn’t play a ton as a junior as he was just so fresh to the game, but he’s having an outstanding year as a senior. Redwood has recorded 10 sacks so far this season and hurried the QB another 24 times. He’s become an elite defender in the region and could see some late offers come his way if he continues to have this type of success for the rest of the season. &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=045bfc2e-12e2-4138-9013-2857111ec852&amp;ssid=97e3f828-856d-419e-b94f-7f41319fe3d3"><span class="first-name">Isaiah</span> Taylor</a> - Defensive Line - Lanier</strong> He may not be the highest-ranked prospect in the county, but he’s been extremely productive so far with 8 sacks through the first 4 games. He’s not very big, but he’s quick, active, and has a nose for the quarterback. He gets in the backfield in a hurry and has done a great job of getting to the QB so far this season. An impact tight end as well, he’s one of the more fundamentally sound and athletic pass rushers in his region and he’s expected to continue this run throughout the year. &nbsp; <strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/will-hardy/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="165696" first="Will" last="Hardy"]</span></a> – Defensive Back – GAC</strong> One of the top two-way players in the state, Hardy is an excellent athlete and a true playmaker for the Spartans in every aspect of the game. Hardy has great size at 6-foot-2 190-pounds and has been a tackling machine so far at safety, making 63 stops in four games, averaging out to 12.6 a game. He’s also made 8 TFLs so far this season. He’s fast, instinctive, and technically sound in both run support and in coverage in the back end. He covers a lot of ground with the ball in the air and has intercepted four passes so far this year. Against the run, Hardy knows how to run down and strike the ball carrier as well. The Virginia commitment has been all over the place so far this season. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="95445" first="Mumu" last="Bin-Wahad"] - Cornerback - Grayson</strong> One of the top cornerback prospects in the state, the West Virginia commitment is off to a great senior season as he’s intercepted two passes so far this season already. The Rams aren’t off to the state that they would like, but their defense is still playing well, and a lot of that has to do with the play of Bin-Wahad and the rest of the secondary. He’s quick, instinctive, and a natural in coverage. He has a lengthy frame and plays the ball well in the air. He’s also physical against the run, making 19 stops and 4 TFLs so far this year.