2022 Rankings Update: Defensive Backs Post Eye-Popping Numbers

Jed Blackwell January 3, 2022 @ 08:00 AM

Sometimes, top-tier defensive backs are a little bit short on measurable stats. The nature of the game leads the ball anywhere but their side of the field. That’s not the case with the Top-10 defensive backs in the Prep Redzone Class of 2022 rankings. Ten DBs are listed among the first 58 players ranked, and all of them filled up the stat sheet and had a massive impact for their teams in their senior season. Teammates [player_tooltip player_id="59459" first="Jeadyn" last="Lukus"] and [player_tooltip player_id="59476" first="Randy" last="Caldwell"] helped Mauldin put together a solid season. Caldwell, a North Carolina signee, had 54 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, and four pass break-ups, while also seeing a dramatically increased role on the offensive side of the ball for the Mavericks. Lukus, a Clemson signee who recently made some noise with a highlight-reel interception in the Under Armour All-American Game, notched 29 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, five passes broken up, and a pair of interceptions. Lakewood’s [player_tooltip player_id="59475" first="Zayveon" last="Wells"] excelled on both sides of the ball for the Gators. He rushed for 851 yards and 13 touchdowns, but really excelled on the defensive side of the ball. There, he had 32 tackles, a tackle for loss, three forced fumbles, three interceptions, and a defensive score. [player_tooltip player_id="61068" first="Gabriel" last="Smith"] helped lead Daniel to the Class 3A state title, and did it by getting into just about every defensive stat category. Smith had 44 tackles, a tackle for loss, two interceptions, broke up five passes, forced a fumble, and blocked a punt for the Lions. [player_tooltip player_id="200663" first="Nick" last="Emmanwori"] is a cheat code. There’s no other way to explain his stat line. The South Carolina signee was credited with an astounding 232 tackles, including four sacks, forced eight fumbles, and recorded two. Greenville’s [player_tooltip player_id="59492" first="Ashton" last="Whitner"] (pictured) was perhaps the most effective shut-down DB of the bunch. Whitner nabbed seven interceptions to go with 96 tackles, two sacks, and six passes broken up. [player_tooltip player_id="89308" first="Chandler" last="McCall"] has already made SportsCenter. The North Myrtle Beach standout was featured in a highlight showcasing his speed, in which he appeared from off-screen to chase down a runner and save a sure touchdown. That was one of his 110 career tackles, to go along with 13 tackles for loss, six interceptions, five fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles in his tenure in a Chiefs uniform. His speed makes him a legit star in the return game as well. South Pointe’s [player_tooltip player_id="59487" first="Quan" last="Peterson"] is headed to Syracuse, but first he helped the Stallions earn the Class 4A state title. Peterson’s 20 tackles, six pass break-ups, and two interceptions helped lead a defense that allowed just 17 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id="89303" first="Jabari" last="Tiller"] spent a lot of his time on the edge for Sumter, and turned in a remarkable season. Tiller shows a knack for sniffing out plays before they happen, and his 20 tackles for loss and seven sacks back that up. He had 55 total tackles, an interception, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble. What Abbeville’s [player_tooltip player_id="91180" first="Jeremiah" last="Lomax"] was able to accomplish this season was historic, and bordered on ridiculous. Lomax had interception returns for touchdowns in five straight contests. While a mark to equal that one couldn’t be conclusively found, it was clear that Lomax’s pick-sixes were one short of the national record for interception returns in a season. He also led Abbeville’s stout defense in solo tackles and first hits on kickoffs.