2022 Austin Area Rankings: Defensive Backs
Defensive backs have the daunting task of covering athletic receivers and reading talented quarterbacks. However, these five senior defensive backs did just that in their last high school season. All five of these defensive backs displayed excellent play recognition and…
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Continue ReadingDefensive backs have the daunting task of covering athletic receivers and reading talented quarterbacks. However, these five senior defensive backs did just that in their last high school season. All five of these defensive backs displayed excellent play recognition and grasping at every opportunity to make a play for their team. All stats are provided by MaxPreps. Check them out!
1. Jaybreon Riggins – LBJ Austin High School (Austin, TX)
2021 Season: 87 total tackles, 55 solo tackles, 6 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown
Riggins plays both offense and defense, which also just speaks to athleticism. On both sides of the ball, he has excellent hands. He has the most interceptions on this list, according to MaxPreps and his tape showcases why. He has an excellent read on the quarterback and if there are any mistakes, Riggins will take the opportunity to create a turnover. He is especially excellent in zone coverage. His play recognition skills and awareness are off the charts.
2. Luke Aaron – Westlake High School (Austin, TX)
2021 Season: 98 total tackles, 49 solo tackles, 5 interceptions
Much like Riggins, Aaron has a great sense of the field and play recognition. He is supreme on zone coverage and can either create a turnover or cause an incompletion. Westlake was incredibly dominant all season, and the defense was a huge part of it, especially with players like Aaron defending the pass. Given the game of football is almost a pass-central sport now, defenders like Aaron are a treasure to have.
3. Javier Rodriguez – Fredericksburg High School (Fredericksburg, TX)
2021 Season: 67 total tackles, 46 solo tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception for a touchdown
Rodriguez also plays both sides of the ball, and much like the others, he has excellent play recognition. On top of that, he has a lot of speed and can run across the field horizontally at a moments’ notice. He, too, is excellent in zone coverage and his stats showcase he is very good at picking off the quarterback. Rodriguez is also not afraid to get physical to stop a completion. Much like the others, Rodriguez is giving 110% throughout his tape.
4. Griffin Shaffer – Vandegrift High School (Austin, TX)
2021 Season: 79 total tackles, 51 solo tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble
Committed to playing lacrosse in college, it is no secret that Shaffer is a physical player and it shows. He is not afraid to take on any receiver or tight end in the open field and is capable of knocking the ball loose. Bucknell University is getting a very tough athlete for its lacrosse program, and his tape in football only further proves that.
5. Tanner Johnson – Lehman High School (Kyle, TX)
2021 Season: 45 total tackles, 28 solo tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 3 interceptions
Johnson is another player that plays both offense and defense. His tape showcases his performances on both sides of the ball, and the huge keyword to take away from is speed and agility. On special teams, even a fumbled ball in the endzone is a play he can turn into a touchdown by running the length of the field while barely being touched. Johnson is incredibly athletic and also has great play recognition. He is an opportunist by definition and is fantastic on zone coverage, especially.