2023 Rankings Newcomers: Defensive Backs Edition

The 2023 class for defensive backs in Ohio is just loaded.  As a result of that we’ve had several defensive backs who have burst on the scene that haven’t been previously ranked.  Some exploded into the rankings, and some are working their way up.  None the less they’re here. <strong><img class=" wp-image-233045 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/D6E9C26C-591A-4761-AC64-9D738D7FEC67-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="177" height="236" />[player_tooltip player_id="274818" first="Jermaine" last="Mathews"] (Winton Woods) 6’0 180-</strong>  Mathews is a long and well put together cornerback.  He’s physical at the line of scrimmage, but he has the speed and athleticism to shut guys down when they get into their routes as well.  Jermaine rose all the way out of the unranked to become our top ranked defensive back and the number 4 overall player in the state of Ohio!  In a busy junior season that concluded with a state championship Mathews burst onto the P5 scene and now has offers from all 5 conferences.  As he makes his way through the camp season, I expect him to continue to stack P5 offers. <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/Jr2Maine">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14134897/6147860919a58f0880779056">Hudl</a></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="274821" first="Joshua" last="Fussell"] (Lakota West) 6’0 180-</strong> Fussell is your prototypical single high free safety.  He’s fast, he plays angles well, and has great ball skills.  This season recruiting started a little slow for Josh, but by the end of it he had D1 offers coming in pretty much weekly.  Fussell has made his way to the position of #2 ranked DB and the 16th overall player in Ohio. He has several P5 offers to choose from, and I expect that number to continue to grow. <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/JoshFussell11">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13159885/619ac8455ef7660b980cb5d7">Hudl</a></strong> <strong><img class="wp-image-134348 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/Cameron-Calhoun-2-271x300.jpg" alt="" width="245" height="271" />[player_tooltip player_id="274819" first="Cameron" last="Calhoun"] (Winton Woods) 6’2 180-</strong> Calhoun is a smooth athlete with exceptional length.  He has a great break on the ball and his ball skills are on point.  He’s continuing to fill out and get stronger he has a chance to be a number one shut down corner type at the D1 level.  After coming into the season unranked we know have Cameron as the third ranked Defensive Back in the class and the 29th overall player in Ohio.  Calhoun’s interest started with D1 mid major’s but has evolved into picking up several P5 offers.  This offseason will be big for him as I could see him taking another step in his recruiting with some big summer camps. <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/officially_cam">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14858297/61479e52478da40534943c01">Hudl</a></strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="274820" first="Rasheem" last="Biles"] (Pickerington Central) 6’2 180-</strong>  Biles is a thick, strong, and physical defensive back.  Receivers best have their heads on a swivel when Biles is in the area because he’s always looking for the big hit.  I like Biles as a strong safety at the college level.  Biles is a guy who can cover, but can play the run in the box as well.  In our new ranking Biles is the 4th ranked defensive back and the 41st over ranked player in the 2023 class.  Biles has gotten several offers from MAC schools to this point and has some P5 interest. <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/Rasheembiles">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14127817/61fc915cc11a85173cf62d17">Hudl</a></strong> [player_tooltip player_id="274823" first="Timyone" last="Andrew"] and [player_tooltip player_id="274822" first="Chastan" last="Walker"] are bookend corners for the Roger Bacon Spartans.  Both 5’10 and 170 to 180 and have similar games.  Both have great short space quickness, agility, and ball skills.  I project both to the D1 FCS-D2 level.  Andrew ascended to the 14th ranked DB and Walker to the 15th.  They’re rated the 92nd and 93 players overal. <strong>Andrew: <a href="https://twitter.com/Timyone1">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12381686/61702fd9f55fb808a43fcbfe">Hudl</a></strong> <strong>Walker:  <a href="https://twitter.com/beamer2td">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13154333/614a00590c53c31014b9f6ea">Hudl</a></strong> [player_tooltip player_id="274824" first="Corvell" last="Morgan"] (Toledo Start) 6’2 180- Morgan is a long and athletic corner.  Morgan is a solid cover corner who plays with great awareness and isn’t afraid to peel off and make a play in his pass defense.  His size plays well against the run.  Morgan is ranked the 16th ranked DB and 97th overall. <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/CorvellMorgan">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16218096/61885ecf19a6a408c8016243">Hudl</a></strong> [player_tooltip player_id="274825" first="Braden" last="Awls"] (Toledo Central Catholic) 6’0 170- Awls is a smooth athlete who plays with great anticipation.  You can see him almost baiting opposing QB’s into throws, and then he pounces to make pass breakups or INT’s.  Awls has really come on when it comes to recruiting over the last week or two with offers from several MAC schools.  He has a chance to keep that momentum going with a strong camp season. <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/AwlsBraden">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14213226/619e937c5b3ca713887a2cd1">Hudl</a></strong> Other Newcomers Pos. Rank/State Rank [player_tooltip player_id="274829" first="Duryea" last="Hall"] (Toledo Central Catholic) 6’3 175- 18/100 <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/showtime14x">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13249109/61b0c9a87bd35f05688b9c17">Hudl</a></strong> [player_tooltip player_id="274830" first="Braiden" last="Vargas"] (Toledo Central Catholic) 6’2 185- 19/101 <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/braiden_vargas">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14213371/61a514a323475106584320ab">Hudl</a></strong> [player_tooltip player_id="256915" first="Pierden" last="Pepe"] (Avon Lake) 6’0 170- 20/102 <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/pierdenpepe">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12924812/61c007ac5caa740298fa6415">Hudl</a></strong>