Under The Radar: Defensive Backs – 2023

After a long dive into each position group, we’ve reached the final position group for the class of 2023 in the <em>Under The Radar </em>series. Rounding it out for the class of 2023, we’ll take a look at the defensive backs. This list was difficult to narrow down because of the number of outstanding defensive backs in this class, but these are the three defensive backs that I feel are deserving of more attention on the recruiting trail. <strong>Under the Radar Defensive Backs</strong> Kalib Davis, Cherokee Trail Cougars (FS)(Jr.)(22) - Davis had one of the more quietly dominant seasons of any junior DB in the state. Davis did most of his damage in 2021 in run support, as he was the leading tackler amongst the junior DBs in 2021. For his season totals, Davis registered a remarkable 101 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble. For a safety to register 101 tackles while also being the leading tackler on the Cougars’ defense is impressive, to put it mildly. When you watch the tape of Davis’s junior season, you can see he displays a knack for finding the football, whether dropping into coverage or coming up in run support. Versatile chess piece of a player that lined up in multiple different positions depending on the formation; lining up as a deep safety, in the box safety, and nickel corner. Aggressive tackler that brings plenty of force to the point-of-contact. Displays consistently good form when making a tackle (head across the core, wrap-up, drive through contact), routinely stopping the ball carrier’s progress as soon as contact is made. Shows a good understanding of his gap responsibilities when coming up to make his run fits. Shows adequate ability as a deep defender in zone coverage, but shows consistent success when lined up in the slot as a nickel in both underneath zone coverage and man coverage. While Davis is a highly talented and productive player, his smaller frame (5’9, 165 lbs) could explain his lack of recruiting attention but ,regardless, there are players with similar frames at every level of football that have had great success. While he is currently unranked, Davis is certainly worthy of more recruiting attention and will be interesting to follow through his senior season in 2022. [player_tooltip player_id="247236" first="Brayden" last="Munroe"], Chaparral Wolverines (CB/WR)(Jr.)(6) - Munroe had one of the most dominant seasons overall of any player in the state in 2021 as he was a force both offensively and defensively for the Wolverines. For his junior season on defense, Munroe accounted for 41 tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries that were returned for touchdowns, a blocked field goal, and a kickoff returned for a touchdown; while also adding 56 receptions for 1,048 yards receiving (18.7 YPR) and 16 receiving touchdowns on offense as well. It’s pretty obvious that Munroe is easily one of the best players in the state just off of production alone. When you watch the defensive film on Munroe, the first thing that jumps out about him is his elite explosiveness while breaking downhill out of his back pedal to come down for run support or while turning up field to run with a receiver. Technically sound DB that doesn’t surrender technique while maintaing excellent foot speed and lateral agility, which allows him to stay on top of receivers that are running up field while also allowing him to maintain tight coverage on sharper breaking short and intermediate routes. Displays good force at the point-of-contact with the ball carrier when making a tackle. Shows a good understanding of how to shed blocks on the boundary and seal the edge by not over-pursuing the ball carrier. Deceptively physical and aggressive that doesn’t solely rely on speed and athleticism to win the rep. Munroe is currently rated the number 6 athlete and the number 40 player overall for the class of 2023, but that ranking is practically criminal given how dominant he was this past season. Munroe is easily one of the best players in the state and has the film, production, and frame (6’2, 190 lbs) to back it up and will almost assuredly be playing at the collegiate level. &nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="22763" first="Isacc" last="Gomez"], Thornton Trojans (DB/WR)(Jr.)(11) – Gomez was, arguably, one of the state’s biggest ball hawks after the 2021 season was finished. His versatility was the biggest asset to the Trojans’ defense and offense in 2021 as he has played almost every position in the defensive backfield so far this past season while also being a lethal WR for the Trojans offense. His versatility and athleticism has allowed him to account for 27 tackles, an incredible 7 interceptions, 5 pass deflections, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, and 2 kickoffs returned for touchdowns while also accounting for 646 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns on 53 receptions (12.2 YPR). On film, the first thing that jumps out about Gomez is his outstanding athleticism and versatility. Outstanding athleticism, agility, and speed allow him to excel at both the boundary corner role, in either man or zone coverage, as well as the ability to play a deep middle safety role in cover 3. Despite his smaller build (6’0, 155 lbs), he can also play in the box to support the run. Excellent lateral agility allows him to cover hash-to-hash or run with even the fastest receivers on the outside. The prototypical fast, explosive, and long-armed ball hawk that can shut down entire thirds of the field. Gomez is currently ranked as one of the top WRs in the state for the 2023 class, but is gifted enough athletically that he could easily play DB at the collegiate level as well based off his tape, production, and frame. He’ll be a fun name to watch next year in 2022.