Senior Breakthrough Performers: Defensive Backs
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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…
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Continue ReadingAs 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. LaMarion Pierce LaMarion Pierce 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Marshall Co. | 2022 State TN (6’0 172) – Marshall Co.
– 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: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11293629/61893fb119a6a704c4bf580c
2. Jaden Lyles Jaden Lyles 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lipscomb Academy | 2022 State TN (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: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7607637/61304a140661000ae0d3fbfc
3. Marcus Lee Marcus Lee 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Collierville | 2022 State TN (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: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10701773/61930a0504282b0898dca0ee
4. Ellis Ellis, Jr Ellis Ellis, Jr 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Hendersonville | 2022 State TN (5’11 190) – Hendersonville
@Coachev4 @coachdowns_gary @Dallas_Dickey13
— Ellis Ellis (@ellisjr22) November 23, 2021
– 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: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13039791/61afa0bb664b5f026c79119e
5. Jamo Wharton Jamo Wharton 6'2" | 180 lbs | DB Hendersonville | 2022 State TN (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: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9357880/61345022ff01d804a0f768c4
6. Brady Pierce Brady Pierce 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Summit | 2022 State TN (5’11 185) – Summit
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 @vincemarrow @CoachWoody7 @CoachWhiteFB @ElijahSandweiss @NPA_Tennessee https://t.co/r5McJsoUF1— Brady Pierce Brady Pierce 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Summit | 2022 State TN (@brady_pierce13) November 12, 2021
– 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. Isaiah Bryant Isaiah Bryant 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Alcoa | 2022 State TN (6’2 180) – Alcoa
– 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: https://www.hudl.com/profile/14196055/Isaiah-Bryant/highlights
8. Jarian Dunlap, Jr Jarian Dunlap, Jr 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Stewarts Creek | 2022 State TN (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: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10174913/6191a18e19af220ca8c74ed1
9. Malachi Powell Malachi Powell 6'1" | 165 lbs | DB Boyd Buchanan | 2022 State TN (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: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14534610/619bb576ab922807b85c6e28
10. Jordan Jackson Jordan Jackson 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lipscomb Academy | 2022 State TN (5’10 175) – Lipscomb Academy
Thankful to be named @LAmustangFB‘s Scholar Athlete of the Year!!! pic.twitter.com/B1ILogHktE
— Jordan Jackson Jordan Jackson 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lipscomb Academy | 2022 State TN 🚨 (@Jxrdan_v) December 6, 2021
– 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: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8003174/61285f71478d330b0c98c0cd
Five Others to Know: Daishun Sims Daishun Sims 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Walker Valley | 2022 State TN – Walker Valley, Torin Baker – Hendersonville, Harrison Craig Harrison Craig 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Collierville | 2022 State TN – Collierville, Kenneth Berry Kenneth Berry 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB White Station | 2022 State TN – White Station, A.J. Robinson A.J. Robinson 5'9" | 180 lbs | DB Whitehaven | 2022 State TN – Whitehaven