Unranked Series: Defensive Backs
As we wrap up the unranked series with the defensive backs, a common theme amongst the prospects to be discussed is versatility, and the impact of how modern offenses operate. All four prospects not only flourish due to their athletic…
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Continue ReadingAs we wrap up the unranked series with the defensive backs, a common theme amongst the prospects to be discussed is versatility, and the impact of how modern offenses operate. All four prospects not only flourish due to their athletic ability, but also their football IQ and physicality.
McKinley Jones – Maize High School, 5’11 170
McKinley Jones is a quick and intelligent corner with a solid all-around game. The aspect of his game that initially jumped out on film is the speed at which he diagnoses route concepts when he lines up outside in a cover 3. In addition, Jones takes good angles to the ball and flashed the ability to beat receivers to their landmark, allowing himself the opportunity to show off his ball skills, which are aided by the fact that he doesn’t panic and grab at the receiver when the ball is in the air. Jones possesses the speed to close distance late on vertical routes, and does a good job phasing in these scenarios, staying on the receiver’s hip through subtle changes of direction. With ideal pad level in his back pedal, Jones shows a very smooth downhill acceleration and burst, and he is not afraid to stick his nose in and deliver a big hit. He is a form tackler, efficiently dropping his pads and exploding through his hips. Defensive backs that can play man coverage, understand zone coverage and route combos, and defend the run are valuable assets these days, and this versatility should endear McKinley Jones’ game to college coaches during his senior year.
Corbin Verduzco – Wichita Northwest High School, 6’0 185
No offense intended to quarterbacks, but you wouldn’t guess that that is the position Verduzco played as a sophomore when you watch his propensity for violence playing safety. The major contributing factor here is a twitched up downhill burst when he puts his foot in the ground and attacks. Even when he’s lined up in a 2-high look, he can close quickly and make plays around the line of scrimmage, where he was able to show off a low, nasty closing burst on the ball. While his background at QB isn’t evident in his physicality versus the run, it definitely shows in his understanding of routes and reading opposing QBs. One play in particular comes to mind, on which he’s lined up in a 2-high look, correctly diagnosing the vertical seam route, and opening his hips to carry the receiver with precise timing to be in perfect position to make a play on the ball. His instincts and quick diagnostics, coupled with a long stride that offsets some of the tightness in his hips, allow him to affect the game in deep-half coverage. He will have to work on his pad level when transitioning out of his back pedal, but that should come more naturally with more reps at the position. The best is yet to come from Corbin Verduzco at the safety position, and he has all the tools to develop into a starting strong safety at the next level.
Kyle Watson – Lawrence High School, 5’11 170
The name of the game when flipping on Kyle Watson’s (pictured above) film is smooth. He has a low, coordinated, and at times effortless looking slide, playing low on the balls of his quick, and highly coordinated feet, allowing him to shadow receivers and stay on their hip when they break, as well as vary their speeds. He can additionally open his hips up out of his back pedal in a blink, allowing him to shade his assignment on vertical routes. Watson also flashes route diagnostics that allowed him to beat receivers to their landmark on a few occasions. Watson does a good job finding the ball, staying patient through the catch attempt, and trusting his excellent length for the position. While he is a very willing run defender, he will need to add some muscle to his frame to be able to consistently do this at the next level. In particular, adding lower body muscle will also help him come out of his back pedal with a little more juice. With the way slot receivers are used in modern passing attacks, a corner with Kyle Watson’s feet, length and fluidity are at a premium these days, and he should get plenty of attention from college coaches this coming fall.
Demaria’e Baker Demaria’e Baker 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Derby | 2024 State KS – Derby High School, 6’1 180
A deep-half specialist with length and range is as valuable an asset as it gets for a defense, and Demaria’e Baker Demaria’e Baker 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Derby | 2024 State KS fits that mold to a tee. Trusted by his coaches to roam in a one-high look, Baker covers ground deceptively, gliding across the field and disrupting passes opposing QBs did not believe he had any business getting near, with very good length and ball skills as well as range. To compound the headache for quarterbacks, he also possesses some sneaky closing juice to arrive at the ball with force, and he can deliver a hit or two for a lanky safety prospect. Moreover, he flashes very smooth acceleration out of his backpedal, allowing him to smoothly carry receivers vertically. Baker also plays tough against the run, purposefully taking on blocks with active feet, and tackling with ideal pad level and some pop in his hips. He is in addition, a savvy safety prospect for a high school junior, trusting his keys with decisive and purposeful read steps. Baker’s effort matches his skill, as he does not give up on plays, with the long speed to chase down plays from the opposite side of the field, saving big plays from becoming touchdowns. At a program like Derby, it is a matter of time before Baker catches the eye of college coaches, who should see him as the highly coveted eraser on the back end that every defensive coordinator craves