Breakout Kings: 2024 Defensive Backs

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that the school year is nearing its end, the focus is shifting toward preparing for the coming season. This is also when new names and faces begin to enter the world of recruiting as potential prospects.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The underclassmen are the future of the programs, and the switch from sophomore to junior season is when things start to heat up for many players. For many, the junior campaign is where they get to show their on-filed experience while setting the stage for their senior year.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Below is a list of five players from the class of 2024 who have shown significant promise as members of the defensive secondary.</span> &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="254906" first="Niguse" last="Shelp"] | Chatfield | 5’10”, 170lbs | CB</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Shelp is a legitimate sleeper who happens to be one of the more technically sound cornerbacks in the state. He is patient at the snap, keeping his eyes on the mid-section of the receiver and using the inch-and-mirror technique while maintaining his leverage and landing a well-placed jam. He does a great job at keeping his eyes out of the backfield throughout each rep, keeping them locked in on the receiver’s hips, and then playing through the hands to disrupt passes. Shelp is headed into his junior year as a reigning state champion and a top-tier corner. </span> [embed]https://twitter.com/NiguseShelp/status/1474496029424762884?s=20&t=eCjYbomqfzzC1yepxAxUqg[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="146050" first="Ramon" last="Pacheco"] | Pine Creek | 5’11”, 165lbs | CB</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Pacheco is a well-rounded athlete with show-stopping athleticism and outstanding ball-hawking coverage skills. He has good eyes and great awareness and seems to recognize plays before they are fully developed. His ability to break on the ball and attack it at its highest point helps to make him a lockdown defender. Pacheco is a very physical player who is willing to come downhill and initiate contact against the run, adding to his stock value as one of the top cornerbacks in his class.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/Ramon_Pacheco1_/status/1519353703689510913?s=20&t=eCjYbomqfzzC1yepxAxUqg[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="146076" first="Will" last="Rosenmeyer"] | Rock Canyon | 6’1”, 165lbs | CB</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Rosenmeyer is a very talented athlete whose popularity is consistently growing. Aside from being a tall cornerback, one thing that stands out about him is his physicality. He brings a combative mindset and playing style to the cornerback position, which can be seen in his disruptive jams, willingness to hit, and ability to go through the receiver to play the ball in the air. Rosenmeyer has very fluid movements and great awareness, making him a player to watch.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/WRosenmeyer/status/1518750325590552577?s=20&t=eCjYbomqfzzC1yepxAxUqg[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="226028" first="Bryson" last="Dirks"] | Holyoke | 5’11”, 150lbs | CB</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Dirks is a very talented player with good speed and athleticism. He has good techniques, especially his ability to break up passes by deflecting the ball in the air or playing through the receiver’s hands and disrupting the catch. He moves well in coverage and does a great job supporting the run game by sealing the outside and delivering contact. Dirks is a playmaker who is no stranger to the big stage, making him a prime prospect to track.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/Bryson_dirks24/status/1457422327252066305?s=20&t=eCjYbomqfzzC1yepxAxUqg[/embed] &nbsp; <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="145656" first="Walker" last="Hungate"] | Boulder | 5’11”, 175lbs | Safety</b></span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Hungate is a newcomer with serious potential because of his athleticism and raw talent. He has good vision and reacts quickly to what he reads from the offense. His in-game vertical is impressive; he gets a hand on the ball at its highest point to break up passes. He is a physical player who will initiate contact, making him a great addition to the run defense. Hungate is a radar pop-up with a bright future; keep a close eye on him.</span> [embed]https://twitter.com/WalkerHungate12/status/1519177404748427265?s=20&t=eCjYbomqfzzC1yepxAxUqg[/embed]