PRZ Iowa | 2024 Rankings Update | Top DB's

There are several names in the Defensive Backs category of the 2024 rankings who have already made a name for themselves. There are several more who have shown evidence that they are names to closely watch and are on the verge of breakout seasons. Get to know these players now and what learn makes them special. The Ballhawks featured below have plenty of position specific skill and ability. They’ll certainly be a thorn in the side of many offenses over the next two years. DB1 [player_tooltip player_id="248037" first="Derek" last="Weisskopf"], 6’3" / 200, Williamsburg, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15426397/619cff1bb01a6c03c0cbced9">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DerekWeisskopf">Twitter</a> Number 1 ranked Defensive Back in the class of 2024, [player_tooltip player_id="248037" first="Derek" last="Weisskopf"], filled up the stat sheet this fall with 80 tackles and 3 interceptions. The Safety dominates from single-high looks and is the best athlete on the field, so it makes sense that he lines up where he can impact every down. Weisskopf has so much range from the middle of the field and plays with keen instincts that help him know where the ball is going to be thrown so he can break accordingly. He came up with a pick that looked impossible to make. He covered ground at an unbelievable rate and dove, getting fully extended, to get the turnover. Weisskopf has excellent skills against condensed, run-heavy formations, too, and essentially gives the Raiders another Linebacker. DB2 [player_tooltip player_id="248046" first="Drew" last="Kluender"], 6’2" / 160, Woodbury Central, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15004405/Drew-Kluender">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DrewKluender">Twitter</a> Kluender, a star on the football field and basketball court, is an explosive athlete who has impressed as a Safety on the Wildcats’ defense. While it appears that he is the heir apparent at Quarterback, the ballhawking Defensive Back who had 3 interceptions as a Sophomore comes in at number 2 in the position rankings for the class of 2024. Kluender’s efforts helped Woodbury Central to an impressive 10-2 record and a trip to the dome for a class A semifinals appearance. What stands out immediately when it comes to Kluender’s game is elite athleticism and how it is clear that he could plug into just about any skill position and thrive. Kluender has very agile feet, can leap out of the stadium, and has excellent body control. DB3 [player_tooltip player_id="248038" first="Curtis" last="Witte"], 6’1" / 165, Lewis Central, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14746349/6199328f23475b0290af4db5">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CurtisWitte">Twitter</a> Witte, the number 3 Defensive Back, impresses on both sides of the ball. He has, however, already solidified himself as one of the state’s top Safeties after a 5 interception and 32 tackle Sophomore season. A couple of things stand out about his game. The first is how well he stays over the top of vertical routes. When he has a deep zone, nobody gets behind him and the way he plays the ball when jumping such routes is outstanding. The second is how versatile he is in allowing the Titans to run man coverage. There was a play, lined up at Free Safety, where he was responsible for the number three receiver, which happened to be the Running Back. He got to him from heels at 12 yards on a flare route to dislodge the ball as it hit the target’s hands. DB4 [player_tooltip player_id="156649" first="Sir" last="Brandon Watts"], 5’8" / 145, Bishop Heelan, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GAy3Z">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Watts_Brandon22">Twitter</a> Watts was the go to guy for the Crusaders over the course of his Sophomore year: he played defense, took handoffs, caught passes, and returned punts and kicks. The number 4 Defensive Back in the class of 2024 had 28 tackles and a pick and showed plenty of ability in the process that makes it clear why Heelan just couldn’t take him off the field. What you notice right away is how fast and agile he is; this keeps him stuck to his opponents and the film suggests not too many targets go his way. Watts isn’t someone an opposing offense scouts and decides to go after. That athletic skill set translates so well to coverage and gets him in position to break up a lot of passes, which he is excellent at. If it were a tracked stat, Watts would be near the top. DB7 [player_tooltip player_id="156652" first="Owen" last="Larson"], 5’11" / 155, Estherville Lincoln Central, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14813307/614cd6b1d226050664acd241">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/owen0larson">Twitter</a> Larson, another exceptional two-way player at Receiver and Defensive Back, comes in at number 7 in the position rankings after a season that saw him lead the Midgets in receiving, rack up 27 tackles, and intercept 5 passes. Larson appears to be the guy that Estherville Lincoln Central wants to put on an opponent’s top target. There are several snaps on his highlights where he is on an island in man coverage or he is running isolated man coverage while the rest of the defense is dropping to zones. That comes as no surprise. Larson is very fast, has excellent footwork, and great mobility. He can run with routes and hang through breaks and changes of direction. Larson is one of the better cover Corners around. DB8 [player_tooltip player_id="156648" first="Jack" last="Terpstra"], 5’10" / 150, Akron-Westfield, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14793324/Jack-Terpstra">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JackTerpstra3">Twitter</a> Add Terpstra to the list of exceptional two-way players in the class of 2024 making significant contributions on both sides of the ball. The number 8 ranked Defensive Back is coming off a Sophomore campaign where he caught 39 passes for 367 yards and added 5 interceptions. Terpstra excels in deep zones. On one of his interceptions he dropped, the near threat cut on a Post underneath him and looked open, but Terpstra broke under the route and dove in front to snag the ball. The athleticism and instincts required to make such a play are not common, so it is even more impressive that such a young player is doing those things on the field. He is also more than capable of rolling down and playing man against Slot Receivers and Tight Ends. DB9 [player_tooltip player_id="248041" first="Coy" last="Kipper"], 5’10" / 140, Pleasant Valley, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14893233/Coy-Kipper">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/kipper_coy">Twitter</a> Defensive Back [player_tooltip player_id="248041" first="Coy" last="Kipper"] went up against some of the best passing talent the state of Iowa had to offer as a Sophomore and competed at a high level. He comes in at number 9 in the position rankings for the class of 2024. The kind of experience he acquired will only benefit him and could serve as a springboard to what could be some very elite and dominant play in the coming years. The Spartans secondary only allowed 120 passing yards to Linn-Mar, 177 yards to Dubuque Senior, and 55 yards to Davenport North. What stands out right now about Kipper’s game is how he is able to match opponents. Kipper appears to be a defensive specialist on the basketball court, too. The way he reacts to what is happening in front of him impresses. WL [player_tooltip player_id="248045" first="Talan" last="Guile"], 5’9" / 140, ADM, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GAEY4">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/GuileTalan">Twitter</a> [player_tooltip player_id="248045" first="Talan" last="Guile"] put a lot of evidence on film that suggests he will be a name to keep tabs on over the next two years. Guile doesn’t chase routes, he stays disciplined to his zone and does a nice job of exchanging as Receivers come and go. Guile is often covering the flat with help over the top. One play on his highlights shows him jam the number one Receiver who eventually goes vertical. Instead of carrying and leaving his zone, he recognized an H back that had motioned across to his side of the field was running a flat route. He broke on that and made an impressive tackle that knocked the ball loose; the Tigers eventually recovered. Guile has proven, which is tough for young players, that he is unafraid of contact.