2023 Versatile DBs On The Rise

The 2023 class is arguably the best class in a long time to come out of Indiana. With that, these guys only add further proof to that statement. We’re looking at 4 DBs today who can move around the field and have a bright future ahead! [player_tooltip player_id="325852" first="David" last="Fairer"] - Ben Davis - S/CB - 6’0" 165lbs Fairer is a rangy athlete who is able to cover a ton of ground and has great closing speed. He is very reactionary and understands when to react and how to take proper angles when he’s coming downhill. He’s a sound tackler and won’t miss the play. There are times he dips his head too much but that can easily be cleaned up. His arms are strong and once he latches on to the ball carrier, the play is over. He plays aggressive and likes to keep his hands on the WR when he’s playing Corner. When he gets the chance, he’s going to take his shot at the ball and go for the pick. If he doesn’t get it, he’s at least able to knock it down. I do think his footwork is a work in progress when it comes to avoiding being flat-footed. There are times he can get caught on both feet, but it’s typically on a double move because he can try jumping the first move. Fairer is a really good athlete so he’s able to take those risks at this level. He’s got great speed, long arms, and can jump out of a gym so his ceiling is really high. He also seems like someone who is going to keep getting longer. If that’s the case, he’s going to be a nightmare for players at the next level. When you have the combination of being instinctive, a good athlete, and can play multiple positions on the backend, good things happen. I’m not sure where he’s looking to go to school, but he’s someone who can be really really good. [player_tooltip player_id="325836" first="Joseph" last="Robinson"] - Pike - CB - 5’6" 160lbs Robinson is a true Corner and locks on to whoever comes into his area. It doesn’t really matter who it is that comes over to him, he’s going to cover them 1 on 1 and do everything he can to make them disappear. Robinson is a good athlete and is able to run with pretty much everyone. He’s able to stay in their back pocket and then make a play at the ball when the time comes. He’s able to look back and time things properly and won’t get the dreaded DPI call. While right now he is a bit shorter and lighter than you’d like, it doesn’t impact him much. Robinson plays physical and likes to make his presence felt. He feels like someone who plays with a chip on his shoulder and as the game goes on, he gets more and more aggressive. He’s as good of an open field tackler as you’ll come across and because of that, is also a reliable gunner on the Punt Team. Having a guy on the outside who can cover just about anyone and won’t miss a tackle when it comes his way gives coaches a big sense of relief. Robinson isn’t far away from that status and he’s someone who could easily get there. Robinson is a really sound player who does a lot of things well and this fall he’s going to have his chance to take that next step. I’m excited to see how this fall goes and if he’s able to reach his ceiling. [player_tooltip player_id="185171" first="Dillon" last="Thieneman"] - Westfield - RB/CB/S - 6’0" 190lbs Thieneman is a fantastic athlete who is able to make plays all over the field because of how explosive and reactive he is. Westfield just lets him sit back and play Center Fielder in a sense. He sits, watches the play develop, and teleports to the ball to make the play. When he’s coming downhill from the second level, he’s going to throw his body into the tackle like his life depends on it. Sometimes he can get going a bit too fast and lose some control. At the beginning of the season, there were times he’d throw his body at the tackle rather than come to balance and make the tackle with form. As the season progressed, he cleaned that up and became a tackling machine. In the open field, he comes to balance and attacks the outside hip, while making the play look easy. He’s powerful and throws the ball carrier down with ease. Thieneman can cover DBs man to man and run with anyone with ease. He’s got long arms and has an elite verticle so he’s able to knock down a ton of balls and pick off a handful. He’s got good ball skills and won’t drop a ball if he gets a good shot at it. Thieneman seems like someone who picks up stuff quickly and doesn’t need to be told the same thing again and again. His upside is really high and I’m excited to see how he does this fall and where he ends up collegiately. [player_tooltip player_id="325821" first="Cole" last="Earlewine"] - Hamilton Southeastern - S/CB - 6’0" 190lbs Earlewine lines up on the boundary side for Hamilton Southeastern and just makes play after play. He’s someone who always finds his way to the ball and if he’s not making the play, he’s right there in frame ready to do so. His footwork is solid and because of that, he’s able to keep himself in pretty much every play and react immediately. He doesn’t cross his feet and won’t be caught on his heels. He’s got a good natural understanding of the game and is able to read and react to plays live. Once he sees something, there’s no going back. He commits and comes downhill 100mph which is why he’s always around the ball. The best players always happen to be around the ball for a reason, it’s not a coincidence. They know what they’re doing and know how to react to make the play. As good as he is making tackles and ending plays, he’s arguably better at extending them by picking the ball off and going the other way. If the ball floats, gets tipped, or isn’t thrown to where it needs to be, there’s a good chance it’s going to end up in Earlewine’s hands going the other way. In the running game, he’s annoying for ball carriers. He always seems to find a way through the gap and make the tackle, oftentimes at or behind the LOS. Earlewine is explosive, smart, and only getting better. If he’s able have another great fall, I’d be willing to bet he’ll end up with more offers than he ever thought possible.