Behind the Rankings: 2023 DBs

<strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering AJ30 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong> Although this may only be the top 10 defensive backs, this is a DEEP year at the position in the 2023 class. Many guys could make the argument to be in the top 10, but the players below were the guys that we had to decide on. With so much talent in this class, quarterbacks state wide better be ready. Below are our explanations for our top 10 defensive back prospects in the 2023 MS class. 1. [player_tooltip player_id="107045" first="John" last="Slaughter"] | Southaven Keeping his hold on the No. 1 DB spot, [player_tooltip player_id="107045" first="John" last="Slaughter"] is a rare talent at the safety position. Listed at 6’2" 180, Slaughter is a long limbed and athletic defensive back capable of playing well against the pass and run. With some of the best range in the class, Slaughter can make pass break ups and interceptions without the quarterback even having eyes on him. Slaughter’s ball skills are also quite impressive, producing at the wide receiver position for big plays and touchdowns when needed. As a tackler, Slaughter shows that he loves contact and taking down ball carriers. The special talent coming out of Southaven lists offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida State among others. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="340817" first="Jaylen" last="Aborom"] | Oak Grove New to the rankings, it was easy to see how [player_tooltip player_id="340817" first="Jaylen" last="Aborom"] fit right in to the 2nd spot in our updated rankings. The 6’2" 180 pound spent time all over the secondary and at wide receiver and is rumored to have clocked a sub 4.50 40 yard dash this spring. The speed is evident on tape as well, as Aborom is able to run with any receiver that comes his way. Aborom has a knack for making plays on the football and creating big yardage gains after the turnover. He returned several interceptions for touchdowns as a junior in a tough 6A classification. As his recruitment begins to take off, Aborom has added offers from Indiana, Memphis, Louisiana Tech, and Southern Mississippi among others. 3. [player_tooltip player_id="340747" first="Jaleel" last="Fleming"] | Vicksburg After leading the state in interceptions as a junior, [player_tooltip player_id="340747" first="Jaleel" last="Fleming"] moved up all the way to the third spot in our defensive back rankings. The 6’3" 185 pounder out of Vicksburg has shown to be a dominate force at free safety and his stock is only rising. Fleming has a great football IQ and can bait opposing quarterbacks into easy interceptions. He always seems to know where the ball is going to be and can use his athleticism to go up and get it. As a run defender, Fleming uses his physicality to create some big hits on ball carriers and intended receivers. Fleming currently lists offers from Alcorn State, Austin Peay, and Western Illinois, but expect that list to grow this summer. 4.[player_tooltip player_id="340742" first="Dante" last="Kelly"] | LeFlore LeFlore’s [player_tooltip player_id="340742" first="Dante" last="Kelly"] may be the most physical defensive back in the class. Standing at 6’3" 205, Kelly has prototypical size for a future next level strong safety. While he has great ball skills and makes a lot of plays on receivers, Kelly’s aggressiveness against the run is the thing that separates him. Using his big frame and speed, Kelly is in on seemingly every tackle in the run game and typically comes unblocked. This can lead to some huge collisions and turnovers. Kelly also has good speed in the open field and shows the ability to flip his hips and run. Currently listing offers from Mississippi State, Memphis, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas State, Kelly’s stock is only rising as a prospect. 5. [player_tooltip player_id="340776" first="Trevor" last="Walton"] | Horn Lake The recent Memphis commit checks in at the new No. 4 overall position in our defensive back rankings. Walton is also the first true corner here, and he sure is a good one. At 6’1" 175, Walton has the length at corner that college coaches love to see. Pairing that with his speed and overall football talent, Walton makes the case for CB1 in the 2023 in state class. As a junior, Walton did not allow a single touchdown in coverage. He is an absolute technician at the cornerback position. Walton does a great job at getting hands on and redirecting his wide receiver, as well as flipping his hips and mirroring in zone coverage. With his physical make up and football skill, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Walton playing early at Memphis. 6. [player_tooltip player_id="340863" first="Jalon" last="Townes"] | Grenada Grenada’s [player_tooltip player_id="340863" first="Jalon" last="Townes"] looks physically like a linebacker on tape, but has the speed and athleticism of a ballhawking safety. Townes stands at 6’1" 210 but has a very muscular build to him. While most defensive backs get the knock for not wanting to play in the box often, Townes takes snaps at middle linebacker! A physical run defender, Townes does a great job at getting off blocks and making big plays in the backfield. In pass coverage, he can cover all levels off the field and has some good range to him. Bit of a sleeper prospect right now, but Townes lists offers from Alcorn State, Mississippi Valley State, and several in-state junior colleges. 7. [player_tooltip player_id="340821" first="Jaylon" last="York"] | Starkville A big time riser in the rankings and new addition, [player_tooltip player_id="340821" first="Jaylon" last="York"] had a stellar season at Starkville as a junior. The 8th overall defensive back stands at 6’0" 175 and has some of the best press man skills in the class. York thrives on an island and can shut down an entire side of the field on his own. He is physical at the line of scrimmage and has the athleticism to turn and run with any receiver he plays against in a tough 6A classification. York currently lists offers from Arkansas State, East Mississippi, and Northwest Mississippi, but this list should continue to grow soon. 8. [player_tooltip player_id="107036" first="Lester" last="Miller"] | Brandon Brandon’s [player_tooltip player_id="107036" first="Lester" last="Miller"] still finds himself in the top 10 here, checking in at the No. 9 spot. Miller spent a lot of time at wide receiver this season, totaling 900 yards and 8 touchdowns in his first full season at the position. Miller has very fluid hips and great speed that allow him to take the top off the defense when playing wide out. His ball skills are quite impressive as well, showing that he can go up and get the football over anybody. While he didn’t play a whole lot of corner this past year, it’s hard not to love his potential at the position at the next level. His recruitment has recently taken off, adding offers from Arkansas State, Akron, and Central Arkansas among others. 9. [player_tooltip player_id="107043" first="Kelley" last="Jones"] | Clarksdale At 6’4" 200 pounds, [player_tooltip player_id="107043" first="Kelley" last="Jones"] may have the best size of all the defensive backs in the class. The rising senior totaled 19 touchdowns, 4 INTs, and 1,115 all purpose yards last season and was heckuva player all over the field. There wasn’t a position that he didn’t play last season. As a defensive back, Jones primarily plays safety and has the range to cover the entire field. He has a smooth backpedal and uses his length to make plays on the football. Jones is a physical run defender as well that embraces contact. He currently holds an offer from Southwest, but this list should grow tremendously soon. 10. [player_tooltip player_id="340867" first="JD" last="Kelly"] | Vicksburg Another member of an extremely talented Vicksburg defense, [player_tooltip player_id="340867" first="JD" last="Kelly"] checks in at the 10th spot in our defensive back rankings update. Kelly plays all over the secondary, but has found a special home at corner. The 6’2" 180 pound athlete showed the ability to lock down a side of the field at corner this year, and college coaches are starting to take notice. Kelly has great speed and physicality at the line of scrimmage. His hips are fluid and he transitions and breaks on the ball well. Using his length to his advantage, Kelly jars a lot of balls loose and gives wide outs trouble completing the catch. Currently listing offers from Alcorn State, Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Pearl River among others, watch for Kelly to continue drawing interest as the year progresses. &nbsp;