2023 Rankings Breakdown: Top 10 Ranked Defensive Backs

Introducing the revamped Prep Redzone Pennsylvania 2023 rankings. In this piece, we will breakdown the top ten players at each position with this piece specifically highlighting the top ten defensive backs. Plenty of new names and plenty of stock risers in this list alone.   [player_tooltip player_id="27730" first="Rahmir" last="Stewart"] | 6’0, 195 | Imhotep Institute Another ranking update, another top spot for Imhotep’s [player_tooltip player_id="27730" first="Rahmir" last="Stewart"]. Stewart is the prototypical safety prospect whose game is tough to poke holes through. The junior’s got range, tracking/locating ability, overall field awareness is elite thanks to reps on the offensive side of the football. You can trust Stewart as a last line of defense in run-support. The premier defensive back in this class and it’s not even close. Stewart’s top six schools include Oregon, Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma University. [player_tooltip player_id="139966" first="Lamont" last="Payne"] | 6’1, 175 | Chartiers Valley | Penn State University Coming in at number two is Chartiers Valley’s 4-star corner [player_tooltip player_id="139966" first="Lamont" last="Payne"]. Lamont has held the top corner spot for some time, nothing changes now for the future Nittany Lion star. The best overall skillset to play corner that this class has to offer. [player_tooltip player_id="27731" first="Shawn" last="Battle"] makes a case, but it’s tough to drop a prospect who consistently makes the right play. There is no corner in this class that is more equipped to handle the speed and physicality the Big Ten will throw this his way. [player_tooltip player_id="27731" first="Shawn" last="Battle"] | 5’11, 175 | Neumann-Goretti [player_tooltip player_id="27731" first="Shawn" last="Battle"] takes the three spot and finishes off the national prospect list. NG has produced quality defensive backs for some time now, add [player_tooltip player_id="27731" first="Shawn" last="Battle"]’s name to the list. Another well-seasoned and well-tried prospect out of the Philadelphia Catholic League that might have a chip on his shoulder being ranked the third-best defensive back. He has all the makings to surpass each of the two DBs above by November. Battle’s top five schools include Nebraska, Boston College, Penn State, Virginia, and Cincinnati. [player_tooltip player_id="66045" first="Donovan" last="Walker"] | 6’1, 170 | Aliquippa [player_tooltip player_id="66045" first="Donovan" last="Walker"] should be on the cusp of national status. This type of exposure is out of his control. All that the Aliquippa stud can do is ball out each Fall, something he has seemingly done for years now. 4.0 GPA, 3-sport athlete, 2021 State Champion, there’s a lot to love before plugging in the tape. Turning on said tape and you’ll be met with a ton of production out of the gate. Real ball skills that led to eight interceptions this past Fall. The interceptions don’t tell the entire story. We hope Walker’s name gets mentioned in Power Five circles. https://twitter.com/DonovanWalkerr/status/1469393802620190726?s=20&t=LG-c_L5pMNFQnUG3dj7kwA [player_tooltip player_id="140954" first="Cruce" last="Brookins"] | 6’2, 180 | Steel Valley Can make the case that there isn’t a better overall athlete on this list. Incredible size for someone who can run and track the way he does. There’s patience and poise in his game when at CB or Safety. He is one of the five prospects in this entire state, that I feel comfortable saying, has sideline to sideline range. Again, what sticks out is his poise when being targeted. The young man exudes confidence and is technically sound enough to not rely solely on his athleticism, which he has plenty of. If you don’t believe me, check out his highlights at quarterback, where he earned 1st-team all-conference honors. [player_tooltip player_id="160523" first="Raion" last="Strader"] | 6’0, 170 | Penn Hills | Miami of Ohio Happy to see [player_tooltip player_id="160523" first="Raion" last="Strader"] develop the way he has since last I saw him over a year ago. The young man has filled out his pads entirely and put out elite defensive back film. So much so that many group of five schools were clamoring for his commitment this summer. Strader ended all discussion with his recent commitment to Miami (OH) University. The 2019 MAC Champions are getting an ultra-competitor, one who I fully expect to work harder than anyone in his future DB room. https://twitter.com/RaionStrader/status/1534611809243635718?s=20&t=LG-c_L5pMNFQnUG3dj7kwA Bobbie Boyd Jr. | 5’7, 165 | McKeesport McKeesport will end up with two top ten ranked defensive backs in this class, both contributors at the safety position. Much like Strader, I have personally been able to see Boyd Jr. grow into the menace he is today. He, as well as Perry, are to be feared in the secondary. His stature hasn’t held the likes of Saint Francis University or Richmond from offering, as Boyd has garnered real attention from multiple FCS and DII schools. Akron and Austin Peay are also in the hunt to land this Pittsburgh-area safety. [player_tooltip player_id="140970" first="Jaleel" last="Davis-Shabazz"] | 6’1, 185 | Archbishop Wood Very tough deciding between Boyd and Davis-Shabazz. Either way we went, we couldn’t have been wrong as Jaleel is equally as talented as any on this list. I can see a scenario where a stellar senior campaign could thrust JDS into the top three on this list. There isn’t a corner or safety spot I wouldn’t feel comfortable slotting this young man into. Whichever program ends up with this young man might be getting the most versatile DB in Pennsylvania. [player_tooltip player_id="64015" first="Jahmil" last="Perryman"] | 5’9, 170 | McKeesport Pairing up Perryman with Bobbie Boyd at safety is absolutely unfair. Each are capable of holding down a secondary by themselves, let alone together. It’s going to be tough going up against these two. You can’t forget the offensive reps that Perryman is capable of providing at any time. He’s got years of reps touting the rock and doing so really well. A little wrinkle to his game that gives opposing coaches trouble when game planning against McKeesport. [player_tooltip player_id="91825" first="Drevon" last="Miller-Ross"] | 6’0, 170 | Sto-Rox Tough to solely designate [player_tooltip player_id="91825" first="Drevon" last="Miller-Ross"] as a defensive back, considering he caught 23 balls for 520 yards last season on a team full of weapons. Sto-Rox can beat you in a myriad of ways offensively, and DMR was certainly a part of that. We are just too enamored with DMR the defensive back. 2 interceptions may not wow anyone, what wows you is turning on the tape and seeing just how well the young man can stay in-phase with the opponent. Miller-Ross is currently holding G5 offers out of Akron, Central Michigan, Miami (OH) and Kent State. https://twitter.com/dreMross/status/1471483525295710219?s=20&t=LG-c_L5pMNFQnUG3dj7kwA