2023 Rankings: 6 Elite DBs from the DMV

The following defensive backs are the top defensive backs in the DMV area class of 2023, and they should all be considered elite level D1 prospects. Let’s now dive into further analysis and breakdown.   2023 6’3 190 DB – [player_tooltip player_id="90646" first="Christian" last="Garrett"] – St. Frances Academy [player_tooltip player_id="90646" first="Christian" last="Garrett"] is a nine time All-American defensive back who already has offers from elite power five conference programs such as NC State, Penn State, and Maryland. From IMG Academy to De La Salle and Good Counsel, Garrett went toe to toe with the best receiving corps in the nation this year and came out victorious. He is clearly D1 ready, and we have every reason to believe that 2022 will be an even more dominant season for [player_tooltip player_id="90646" first="Christian" last="Garrett"]. With Garrett leading this defense, the St. Frances Academy Panthers are primed for another all-time season. Scouts everywhere should have their eyes on [player_tooltip player_id="90646" first="Christian" last="Garrett"]. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2G1CpV">http://www.hudl.com/v/2G1CpV</a>   2023 6’1 185 DB – [player_tooltip player_id="146209" first="Dante" last="Lovett"] – DeMatha DeMatha’s defense is going to be an absolute problem for WCAC offenses in 2022 and [player_tooltip player_id="146209" first="Dante" last="Lovett"] has a lot to do with that. More specifically, DeMatha will have a top 3 secondary in the nation next season because of [player_tooltip player_id="146209" first="Dante" last="Lovett"] and his fellow Stag defensive backs. The comradery and energy that they play with is infectious, and, after falling just short last season, they’ll also be more determined than ever to claim the throne. The best part about watching Lovett and this secondary play is that all of their movements are as one. They truly play as a unit, and they’re going to absolutely steamroll some teams next season as a result. [player_tooltip player_id="146209" first="Dante" last="Lovett"] already has offers from programs like Cincinnati and USF, and he should be on every scout’s radar. <a href="https://t.co/ERfuclz0bO">https://t.co/ERfuclz0bO</a> 2023 6’2 190 DB – [player_tooltip player_id="146641" first="Zahbari" last="Sandy"] – St. John’s [player_tooltip player_id="146641" first="Zahbari" last="Sandy"] was one of the WCAC interception leaders this season, and he already has offers from division one programs like Marshall, Toledo, and UCONN. St. John’s was one of the best defenses in the nation in 2021, going undefeated and winning the WCAC, and [player_tooltip player_id="146641" first="Zahbari" last="Sandy"] provided a lot of balance for that defense in the secondary. His awareness and football IQ made all of the difference in the word for the Cadets defensively, and his elite defensive prowess is already rubbing off on younger Cadets as well. [player_tooltip player_id="146641" first="Zahbari" last="Sandy"] earned All-Conference honorable mention in 2021, so there’s no doubt in my mind that he will be 1st Team All-WCAC in 2022. Sandy is a premier D1 talent with an extremely high ceiling. Scouts must not forget him. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GezhK">http://www.hudl.com/v/2GezhK</a> 2023 6’0 190 DB – [player_tooltip player_id="90656" first="Tawfiq" last="Byard"] – DeMatha Another interception leader and All-WCAC member in 2021 was [player_tooltip player_id="90656" first="Tawfiq" last="Byard"]. Byard is a member of the DeMatha Stags’ defense that is going to wreak havoc on WCAC offenses in 2022. Byard has a knack for the ball, and, whether he’s picking it or stripping it, he always finds a way to gain possession for his team. Byard also has immense speed that he utilizes effectively off the edges during pass rush situations. He does not hesitate and he processes plays fast. [player_tooltip player_id="90656" first="Tawfiq" last="Byard"] is truly a quarterback’s worst nightmare, and, while he had a breakout season in 2021, I see 2022 being an even bigger year for Tawiq Byard and the DeMatha Stags. It’s worth mentioning that Byard comes from a football family, and his older brother Kevin Byard is a member of the Tennessee Titans. Tawfiq has already created his own legacy, and it’s now more clear than ever that the Byard family has football in their blood. [player_tooltip player_id="90656" first="Tawfiq" last="Byard"] already has offers from Ole Miss, West Virginia, and Boston College to name a few, and scouts everywhere must consider him a premier D1 prospect. <a href="https://t.co/oaNyvSMcrU">https://t.co/oaNyvSMcrU</a> 2023 5’10 210 DB – [player_tooltip player_id="146638" first="Rohan" last="Davy"] – St. John’s [player_tooltip player_id="146638" first="Rohan" last="Davy"] was an integral member of St. Johns’ undefeated defense this season, and he earned 1st Team All-WCAC honors. His tackling ability and closing speed absolutely skyrocketed from last season, and because of that he was everywhere on the field in 2021. He displayed such great tackling ability and football intelligence this year that I wouldn’t be surprised to see him lined up at linebacker and leading the defense in 2022. [player_tooltip player_id="146638" first="Rohan" last="Davy"] is that kind of difference maker and leader, and there’s no question that he’s going to thrive at the D1 level. With a lot of Seniors set to graduate in ’21, Davy will absolutely adopt more defensive responsibilities next season, however, if anyone is going to embrace new challenges head on and lead the Cadets to victory it’s going to be [player_tooltip player_id="146638" first="Rohan" last="Davy"]. He’s a natural leader on and off the field, and because of that he already has offers from D1 programs such as Cincinnati, NC State, and Toledo. Scouts nationwide should know the name [player_tooltip player_id="146638" first="Rohan" last="Davy"] because he’s going to be special at the next level. <a href="https://t.co/4tjCSRe87P">https://t.co/4tjCSRe87P</a> 2023 6’0 190 DB – [player_tooltip player_id="90664" first="Collin" last="Gill"] – St. John’s [player_tooltip player_id="90664" first="Collin" last="Gill"] earned 2nd Team All-WCAC honors and a WCAC Championship in 2021. He is an extremely hard hitting defensive back who causes a lot of turnovers. He can keep any receiver in the nation in front of him, therefore there’s no doubt that he has the speed that it takes to thrive at the next level. Gill also brings elite level energy and intensity to every single play. This spark of competitiveness really gave St. John’s an edge against teams this year, and I think that it made all of the difference in achieving their undefeated season. [player_tooltip player_id="90664" first="Collin" last="Gill"] has D1 offers from schools like Marshall, Maryland, Duke, Utah, and West Virginia. Scouts everywhere must consider him one of the top defensive backs in the entire DMV area. <a href="https://t.co/9ieyFARejK">https://t.co/9ieyFARejK</a>