Class of 2023 Ready to Breakout: DB

With 9 DB in the top 102 players in the class of 2023, it is easy to see that there is a lot of talent at the position. Here are five of those players looking to have a breakout Senior season in 2022. [player_tooltip player_id="189554" first="Josiah" last="Jackson"], 6’0, 175, Fairfield [player_tooltip player_id="189554" first="Josiah" last="Jackson"] is the 3rd ranked DB and the 49th ranked player in the class of 2023. His play in 2021 helped the Fairfield Indians to a 6 win season and advance to the second round of the playoffs. He plays as a CB. Against the pass, he is patient with his hands in press while using his very good play speed to stay with his man all over the field. Against the run, he shows good play strength to shed the WR block with ease, squares his shoulders and delivers a good form tackle to the RB at the LOS on an outside run preventing a big gain. [player_tooltip player_id="106024" first="Corinthian" last="Thomas"], 5’10, 170, Hughes [player_tooltip player_id="106024" first="Corinthian" last="Thomas"] is the 4th ranked DB and the 54th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. His play in 2021 helped the Hughes Big Red to a 7-2 season and held opposing offenses to 13.55 points per game. He plays as a FS and also plays as a WR on offense.  Against the run, he quickly keys and diagnoses the play, plays low and drives his shoulders through the RB as he assists on the tackle preventing a significant gain. [player_tooltip player_id="160221" first="Timiko" last="Jackson"], 5’10, 175, La Salle [player_tooltip player_id="160221" first="Timiko" last="Jackson"] is the 5th ranked DB and the 58th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. His play in 2021 helped the La Salle Lancers to a 7 win season and advance to the 3rd round of the playoffs. He plays as a CB. Against the pass, he does a good job of matching the feet of the WR while using his good play speed to stay in phase. He tracks the ball well in the air and times his hands perfectly to deflect the pass for a PBU. Against the run, he is quick to key and diagnose the play, plays with good leverage and delivers a good form tackle to the scrambling QB to prevent a gain of significant yardage. [player_tooltip player_id="173938" first="Jaiden" last="Butler"], 6’0, 165, St. John’s Jesuit [player_tooltip player_id="173938" first="Jaiden" last="Butler"] is the 6th ranked DB and the 66th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. His play in 2021 helped the Titans of St. John’s Jesuit to a 6 win season and advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs. He plays as a FS. Against the pass, he delivers a powerful strike to the frame of the WR in press coverage and uses his great play speed to stay within an arm’s length of the slot WR showing good range as he can cover his man all over the field. Against the run, he quickly penetrates the LOS, uses his very good instincts to take the correct angle in pursuit, wraps up well bringing down larger RB in the backfield for a TFL. Demonstrates good competitive toughness as he shows the ability to make big plays at the goal line. [player_tooltip player_id="189555" first="Isaiah" last="Harper"], 5’10, 160 Pickerington Central [player_tooltip player_id="189555" first="Isaiah" last="Harper"] is the 7th ranked DB and the 69th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall. His play in 2021 helped the Pickerington Central Tigers to a 12-2 record, advance to the 4th round of the playoffs and held the opposing offenses to only 9.3 points per game. He plays as a FS. Against the pass, he reads the QB very well. He uses his very good closing speed in pursuit of the WR who crosses into his zone and delivers a powerful hit preventing a big gain. Against the run, he plays at a good pad level, squares his shoulders and uses his very good play strength and form tackling ability to bring down larger RB with ease.