Senior Breakthrough Performers: Defensive Backs

As we wrap up our look at the 2022 Senior class here in Tennessee, we breakdown the defensive backs who stepped forward this season and not only made a name for themselves but squarely jumped onto the recruiting radar. Here are the ten prospects that will make the biggest jump in our final #TN2022 Senior Rankings and the guys to follow recruiting wise over the coming month. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="102112" first="LaMarion" last="Pierce"] (6’0 172) - Marshall Co. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-248283" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/lpierce5-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - This guy is someone that you could possibly see in the NFL one day but only if he gets his mind right and begins to 100% focus on football and nothing else. Pierce is extremely athletic and highly versatile. He could play any position within the secondary, especially on the outside at cover corner. This year as a senior, Pierce really stepped forward and became a force for his Tigers team and showed the abilities to play on the P5 level. If Pierce can just focus and re-wire himself towards a dedication to football and the right things in life, he could have a bright future in football. Sr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11293629/61893fb119a6a704c4bf580c">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11293629/61893fb119a6a704c4bf580c</a> 2. [player_tooltip player_id="155171" first="Jaden" last="Lyles"] (6’0 182) - Lipscomb Academy - Lyles had a monster season for his Mustangs team and he didn’t just break out in the defensive backfield but was also the team’s top return man, displaying his speed and athleticism that translates to the next level. The future Austin Peay Governor was a key component on the Mustangs defense that went on to win the D2-Class AA state title and was equally important on special teams. What Lyles brings to the table is a physically well built defender that could play a variety of roles in the secondary but fits best back at safety. He has the upside to become an impact player at Austin Peay sooner than later. Sr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7607637/61304a140661000ae0d3fbfc">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7607637/61304a140661000ae0d3fbfc</a> 3. [player_tooltip player_id="102104" first="Marcus" last="Lee"] (6’1 173) - Collierville - Lee’s progression up the recruiting charts began last summer when he camped in Nashville and ran a 4.5 flat with his 40 and continued to impress during 1 on 1 competition. Well he took that performance and translated it to the season where he became a lock down corner for the Dragons and one of the team’s top overall performers of the year. Lee is an athletic and long defensive back that shows potential to stay outside in college but at worst, moves back to free safety and chases down the ball. Lee is a talent who’s best football is ahead of him, so college coaches should take a harder look at this West Tennessee product. Sr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10701773/61930a0504282b0898dca0ee">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10701773/61930a0504282b0898dca0ee</a> 4. [player_tooltip player_id="153043" first="Ellis" last="Ellis, Jr"] (5’11 190) - Hendersonville <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coachev4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coachev4</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachdowns_gary?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachdowns_gary</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Dallas_Dickey13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dallas_Dickey13</a> — Ellis Ellis (@ellisjr22) <a href="https://twitter.com/ellisjr22/status/1463295896435798025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> - This Commandos defender is an interesting prospect as Ellis, Jr could develop and excel on either side of the ball but defensive back is where he could shine the most. This season at Hendersonville, Ellis, Jr was moved into a variety of roles and utilized for his high football IQ and overall versatility. He was an important factor for the Commandos in their outstanding season and deep run in the playoffs but is now focused on getting to the college level. Many FCS programs have offered with a few D1 schools sniffing around. Look for Ellis, Jr to make his decision soon and become a steal for whoever signs him. Sr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13039791/61afa0bb664b5f026c79119e">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13039791/61afa0bb664b5f026c79119e</a> 5. [player_tooltip player_id="153060" first="Jamo" last="Wharton"] (6’2 180) - Hendersonville - Wharton is one of the names on this list who has as much upside as anybody and is really just now touching his maximum capabilities. The Commandos tall and long defender had an excellent senior year that put him on the recruiting map that has seen several FCS programs extend an offer but Wharton could be on the verge of landing his one from the D1 level. What has college coaches interested with Wharton is his size, fluid body movements and versatility to play corner or safety on the next level. He needs to keep developing his speed and technique but the potential and upside is definitely there. Sr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9357880/61345022ff01d804a0f768c4">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9357880/61345022ff01d804a0f768c4</a> 6. [player_tooltip player_id="102053" first="Brady" last="Pierce"] (5’11 185) - Summit <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Regular season stats and highlights-Offense- 32 carries for 273 yds 5tds 19 catches 556 yds 9tds Defense- 70 total tackles 35 solo 3 ff 3 int 5 pbu Punting- 13 punts avg of 50 yds <a href="https://twitter.com/vincemarrow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vincemarrow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWoody7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachWoody7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWhiteFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachWhiteFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ElijahSandweiss?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ElijahSandweiss</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NPA_Tennessee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NPA_Tennessee</a> <a href="https://t.co/r5McJsoUF1">https://t.co/r5McJsoUF1</a> — [player_tooltip player_id="102053" first="Brady" last="Pierce"] (@brady_pierce13) <a href="https://twitter.com/brady_pierce13/status/1459242670463856645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> - Many people around the Middle Tennessee area know about Pierce and wonder why he is not more thought of by college coaches because this guy is a ball player! The Spartans senior safety simply just knows how to play football and consistently puts himself around the football every single time he steps onto the field. Pierce is a gamer, he is a playmaker, he is a guy you want on the field constantly and someone you need during the most important times of the game because he knows what to do. The college offers have yet to come through but whoever pulls the trigger could be landing an absolute steal. 7. [player_tooltip player_id="153042" first="Isaiah" last="Bryant"] (6’2 180) - Alcoa <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-248286" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/ibryant-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> - Coming off another state title, Bryant was a key force for his Tornadoes team this year and really stepped into his game much further to become a legit college prospect. I personally feel that Bryant is vastly underrated and a talented safety that has potential to become an impact player inside the collegiate game. Bryant is quite athletic and was used this season in a variety of ways on offense, so he has play making abilities that can shine big time on the defensive back end. When you watch his film, you see him flash with his sudden movements and quick reactions to the ball. College coaches need to take a deeper look at Bryant because he is certainly worth it. Sr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14196055/Isaiah-Bryant/highlights">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14196055/Isaiah-Bryant/highlights</a> 8. [player_tooltip player_id="225649" first="Jarian" last="Dunlap, Jr"] (6’1 182) - Stewarts Creek - The recruiting process may be too late for Dunlap, Jr to reach a high level of college football but he certainly helped himself this year with an outstanding senior season. The Red Hawks senior defender sports nice physical traits with his height and arm length along with the foot speed to play a few roles within the secondary. HIs upside sits best over at free safety where Dunlap, Jr can roam and chase down the pass or ball carrier. Over the past few weeks, Dunlap, Jr has picked up steam on the recruiting front, adding a new offer from Bethel and interest from several others. Look for more offers to come his way soon. Sr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10174913/6191a18e19af220ca8c74ed1">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10174913/6191a18e19af220ca8c74ed1</a> 9. [player_tooltip player_id="204181" first="Malachi" last="Powell"] (6’1 165) - Boyd Buchanan - Powell has floated from both sides of the ball throughout his high school career but this year as a senior, he really took to playing defensive back and broke through as a college recruitable prospect. Powell is a natural athlete that brings multiple skills to the football field, including the ability to possibly play outside at cover corner. He is tall and long with a wide radius and shows the range, speed on tape to keep up on the outside. Powell is still in development on defense as he has played both ways for several years but certainly shows big upside at defensive back. This is the kind of talent that is found late, brought in to develop and turns out to be starter and possible star. Sr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14534610/619bb576ab922807b85c6e28">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14534610/619bb576ab922807b85c6e28</a> 10. [player_tooltip player_id="215061" first="Jordan" last="Jackson"] (5’10 175) - Lipscomb Academy <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Thankful to be named <a href="https://twitter.com/LAmustangFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LAmustangFB</a>‘s Scholar Athlete of the Year!!! <a href="https://t.co/B1ILogHktE">pic.twitter.com/B1ILogHktE</a> — [player_tooltip player_id="215061" first="Jordan" last="Jackson"]🚨 (@Jxrdan_v) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jxrdan_v/status/1467681747928236036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> - Not to be outshined by his teammate Lyles, Jackson himself had a really strong senior year where he played a variety of roles and showed the upside to continue developing further on the collegiate level. What Jackson brings to the table is not versatility to play corner, nickel or safety but he is a physical, willing tackler that plays well versus the run. Right now, Jackson is being looked at by several FCS and D2 programs and holds a few small offers but could play higher. Jackson is a valuable piece to the secondary that plays hard, fast and instinctive. Sr Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8003174/61285f71478d330b0c98c0cd">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8003174/61285f71478d330b0c98c0cd</a> Five Others to Know: [player_tooltip player_id="185548" first="Daishun" last="Sims"] - Walker Valley, Torin Baker - Hendersonville, [player_tooltip player_id="153041" first="Harrison" last="Craig"] - Collierville, [player_tooltip player_id="230089" first="Kenneth" last="Berry"] - White Station, [player_tooltip player_id="198393" first="A.J." last="Robinson"] - Whitehaven