2024 DBs to Know

<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Here are a few 2024 defensive backs to get familiar with based off how impressive they are on film. These are prospects I fully expect to start reeling in offers soon (one did as I was typing this up) and become house hold names on the recruiting scene in the near future. </span> [caption id="attachment_243331" align="alignright" width="199"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-243331" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/1C526BE9-4462-4405-9B10-3AA4BCD8DB8C-199x300.jpeg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /> Photo: Rocky Granville (Head Coach), <a href="https://twitter.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a>[/caption] <strong>Damani Maxson</strong> - S - Houston, TX (Clear Lake) - 6'/180: As you can see in the picture, Damani brings a solid build & physique on his frame showing he takes the weight room serious as a sophomore. On film he jumps off the screen at you immediately with the quick twitch he has and drive/closing speed he displays. Shows he can plant that foot in his back pedal and redirect quickly either down hill or sideline to sideline in a hurry with his smooth change of direction and explosiveness. It's great to see closing speed but if you are just diving at ankles it speaks to the lack of embracing that physical contact and mindset which coaches covet out of defensive backs and a violent, physical striker is what you see out of Maxson. Arrives with bad intentions and explodes through the ball/ball carrier. I haven't been able to verify any speed times just yet but looks to have plenty of speed on film. See him below in the tweet attached training with my guy Donnie Baggs, who specializes in training LBs and DBs in the Houston area below, which gives you an up close look at the twitch and quick feet he has. All in all I see a for sure Power-5 prospect and won't be surprised if you start seeing offers rolling in, in the near future. (As I was writing this up he picked up an Arizona State offer). https://twitter.com/DamaniMaxson/status/1466114976465268747?s=20 <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15116343/6123db5a3453c70dbc113355" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> https://twitter.com/DamaniMaxson/status/1466521863509749760?s=20 <strong>David Moore</strong> - CB - Fort Worth, TX (Brewer) - 5'10"/160: This guy is sticky, aggressive and physical in coverage which he displays on film and when I saw him live in person earlier this season. While he's not the biggest corner at this time he brings good length on his arms which he uses to disrupt routes when in press and in his favor when making a play on the ball. On film you see he just has a tremendous feel for the position and plays it with solid technique at such a young age. Flashes strong eye discipline and you see the instincts pop on the screen in his ability to anticipate and break on intermediate routes. His elite change of direction, body control, ability to flip his hips and drive on the ball make it tough for WRs to get separation. Does a great job using his length and hands to stay in close quarters but is saavy enough to not be too grabby it draws a flag. Another part of his game that stands out is that he will get his head around to find the football to give himself a chance to make a play on it and has the ball skills to create turnovers as he finished with 4-Interceptions on the year to go along with numerous passes defended. He is one that could really explode on the camp circuit this off-season with the skillset he brings. A few things I want to see with Moore is right now he looks more quick than fast so will be interested how much faster he gets over the next two years. And also need to see more of him as a tackler vs the run as you don't get to see that on his film. We will see how much more his frame continues to grow but should he be close to as big as he is going to get he is still a great fit at the nickel CB spot covering smaller/quicker WRs. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16750787/619538dcab9c5b0ac46506f8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>     <img class="size-medium wp-image-242905 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/0B92278E-B721-4A28-B065-0804135A2166-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Willie Nelson</strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> - CB/S - Longview, TX (Longview) - 5'10"/165:</span> Willie is a ball hawk of a corner that I had the chance to see in person a week ago as well and he did not disappoint. He is listed at 5'10"/165 but looks bigger than that in person. Like Moore, Nelson also brings good length on his arms and is an explosive, physical athlete that can go. But before diving in to his coverage ability first have to mention how physical he is coming down hill vs the run, on WR screens, etc. Finishing the year with 71-tackles & 4-tfls as a CB speak to that but man this kid isn't just a willing tackler but shows he will strike you no showing any apprehension when throwing his head around to make a tackle. You will catch glimpses on his film where he shows the ability to sink his hips and Coverage wise he brings a lot to like to the table flashing the ability to be a big time CB especially in zone or even at free safety with the athletic tools, big time ball skills and instincts he has. Finishing the year with 8-interceptions & 8-passes defended speaks to that. He does appear to have some hip stiffness when flipping his hips but his recovery speed allows him to make up ground quickly and get back into position to make a play on the ball. He may be even more fun to watch in zone coverage with his range and ability to read and react because with his speed he can cover a ton of ground allowing him to break on and pick balls off. Again, the kid is a ball hawk and with his physicality and coverage ability brings a really impressive versatile skill set. On top of all that he also brings big ability in the return game which make him even more coveted. Would definitely expect his recruiting to pick up steam in the near future. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13719397/615e6f7e8cdefa0a182032fe" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe>  