2023 Indiana Play Making DBs

We’re staying in the class of 2023 today looking at a handful of DBs who are really good playmakers. The 2023 class is loaded and these guys only add to that depth. The future is bright for these guys and we’re looking for what might be just right around the corner for them! [player_tooltip player_id="107256" first="Antonio" last="Grant"] - Wabash - S - 6’1" 170lbs Grant is a fantastic athlete who goes both ways for Wabash. While I’m being honest, he does play a huge role for their offense, his upside is just as good defensively. He really never comes off of the field for Wabash and is just a playmaker. Grant is someone who just has a nose for the ball and always seems to find his way to the ball. He’s as sound of a tackler as you could want a guy to be. When he sees something, he’s going to trust his instincts and takeoff. When he’s coming downhill, there are times he can get going too fast and be a bit out of control. He won’t miss the tackle and is able to shift side to side easily because of his fantastic lateral agility. Grant is sound in the run game and knows how to fill his gaps and shed blocks to make the tackle when the ball comes his way. I’d say right now, he’s better in zone than he is man. When in zone coverage, he’s patient but smart. He knows when to pick his spots to be aggressive and when to stay patient and just make the play. I do think right now he’s a touch raw in the physical department and I would like to see him add some more muscle. I think it would just really help him pack a punch and become a more well-rounded player deep in the trenches. I like Grant and where he is in his development. If he decides to play defense, the offers will come. If he stays on offense, I’d be shocked if doesn’t already have some sort of offer. [player_tooltip player_id="107221" first="Jackson" last="McCullough"] - Bishop Luers - DB - 5’9" 160lbs Mccullough is a former Snider guy, and his first year with Bishop Luers was very promising. You could see the confidence really begin to shine through as the season went on. He got better each week and more comfortable in scheme and you could see him begin to flourish. He’s a rangy athlete who can run with the best of them. For standing at 5’9", he’s got very long strides and is able to cover a ton of ground. He’s also got really decent ball skills and is going to go for the ball when he can. Sometimes, he can be a bit too aggressive and try jumping a ball that he should have stayed patient on. He plays fairly hands-off and I’d like to see him be a bit more physical sometimes at the point of attack. When he wants to, he’s really good at jamming at the line and forcing his receiver to redirect. When he plays back off the ball, he can get caught flat-footed and not gain enough depth and can be run by. There are times Bishop Luers will blitz him and when they do, Mccullough is good. He’s able to get home and make the play. When he’s back in coverage and sees the ball and commits to making the play, he can level a defender with a big hit. He’s a bit lighter than I’d like right now, but that’s something he can easily work on. If he’s able to do so, he’s going to become a more powerful and physical player. I like where he is and year 1 with Luers was very promising. If he’s able to develop and keeps trending in the right direction, the offers are going to come. He can play, there’s absolutely no doubt about that. Nicholas Thompson - Bishop Luers - DB - 6’2" 185lbs Thompson is a freakish athlete who is just starting to understand how good he can be. He lines up on both sides of the ball for Bishop Luers and is just as dangerous with the ball in his hands as he is playing defense. Thompson has elite acceleration and has some of the best agility you’ll see. He can cut on a dime, make guys miss, and break tackles. He’s got a really long frame and takes long strides really quickly. He also returns kicks sometimes for Bishop Luers and is a threat to take it to the house every time. Defensively, he’s able to run with pretty much any guy who steps on the field and can move around. They like to use him to eliminate the opposing team’s best player and make them go searching for answers somewhere else. When the defense does throw the ball his way, Thompson is able to hit a second gear and become the receiver. He can and he will pick that ball off like it was intended for him and he makes it look easy. In both man and zone coverage, his leverage and hands could use some work. To be clear, I mean his hands as in fighting with the receiver during the route and keeping the leverage. His footwork is actually fairly clean for his age. It’s not perfect and would need some work, but you can tell he works on it. He doesn’t cross his feet, you won’t catch him on the heels of his feet, and he knows how to flip his hips and switch directions to run easily. Thompson is also a fairly good tackler. He doesn’t lay the biggest hits but he won’t miss the tackle. I think the most important thing is his energy and chirpiness match his ability. Thompson is the energizer for that team and he knows it. When things aren’t going their way, it’s Thompson who will make a play to get the energy and momentum back. Offense, defense, or special teams it doesn’t matter. He’s recently received offers from Army, Ball State, Illinois State, and Navy. I’m not sure what position Thompson will want to play, but it’s safe to say he’s going to have his choice and will pick his preference. [player_tooltip player_id="107190" first="Trent" last="Baker-Booker"] - Lawrence Central - CB - 6’2" 180lbs Baker-Booker is an explosive athlete who has a great burst. His top-end speed is elite and his burst is even better. He can explode off of his backfoot and get full speed almost immediately. He’s got light feet and can absolutely fly. He’s able to run with anyone who steps on the field and stays in the play. Lawrence Central trusts him on an island by himself out wide. He’s a true corner and while he could move around at the backend, he doesn’t and stays close to the line. Baker-Booker is best when he’s close to the line and either jamming or keeping his guy close. He won’t let his guy breathe and they aren’t able to find separation. However, when he plays off the ball, he can play a bit too soft and give up some easy catches. However, he always comes up and makes the play. Sometimes he can lay a big hit and make his presence known. There’s a fine line between playing too soft and too aggressive, and if he’s able to find that perfect blend, I’ve got 0 worries. He’s sound in the running game and when he comes up to make the play, he’ll come to balance and make the tackle. When the play extends to the outside, there are times he can get going a bit too fast and make the tackle a bit harder than it needs to be. I would also like to see him bulk up just a touch. His raw athleticism and natural instincts are more than enough to be excited for and when you watch him play you can see the upside. If he isn’t already, after this upcoming fall there’s a good chance he’ll be swarmed with offers and can pick the best fit for him. [player_tooltip player_id="39065" first="Lee" last="Alexander"] Jr - Warren Central - ATH - 5’11" 190lbs Alexander plays all over for Warren Central and lines up in multiple different positions. They’ll have him play Linebacker, Safety, and even Nickel depending on the game or situation. If it wasn’t clear based on his versatility, Alexander is a really good athlete. He’s explosive, yet strong and physical enough to back his playstyle. While I would like to see him bulk up some, it’s not something impacting his play or holding him back. I think it would just make him more physical and a bigger presence on the field. He’s decent in the trenches and can win his 1 on 1’s. In the running game, he’s able to fill his gaps, not overpursue, and make the tackle. He’s strong enough to wrestle them to the ground even if he’s just barely able to get a hand on them. Alexander also rips for the ball and attempts to get the ball out. He’s forced a few fumbles throughout his career and it’s a good bet he’s going to add more next fall. He’s someone who kills opposing running games if they run a zone scheme. His eyes and athleticism and light feet help him shuffle gaps with the back and then whichever lane the back picks, they have a meeting with Lee. In the passing game, Alexander’s decent. He’s best in zone coverage when he can get to a landmark and watch the QB’s eyes. In man coverage, his speed and athleticism keeps him with anyone on the field on the run. His mechanics are a bit raw and he could get better there, that’s something that usually comes with time. Alexander’s best trait is his ability to see things develop and trust he’s making the right decision. He’s able to anticipate some things and is a good enough athlete to win head-on when he needs to. From time to time, Warren Central will let him rush the passer and when they do, it’s like letting an aggressive dog out of his cage. You can barely keep him back until the ball is snapped and when it is, he’s going 100mph. He’s fast and strong enough to bullrush and get under his guy’s pads from time to time. This is a good example of where bulking up some will help. He’s fast and powerful the way it is. I can see schools coming in and offering him at both LB and DB. It’s likely he’s going to have his choice and if they aren’t already, the offers will come hot and heavy.